At the forefront of innovation, the Research Park at Florida Atlantic is a dynamic hub where diverse technology companies and research-driven organizations foster relationships with academia to shape the future of South Florida. These efforts and strong academic collaboration play a pivotal role in promoting economic growth, creating high-quality jobs, and expanding the economic landscape of Broward and Palm Beach counties, all while fostering entrepreneurship and building a thriving, sustainable economic future for the region.
Innovation and collaboration are essential keys in today’s business landscape and play many roles. Business innovation can create new, sometimes life-changing services and products that benefit society. These products and services can generate new revenue streams. Growing, innovative companies often open new job creation opportunities, which contribute to economic growth. Collaboration with a university can bring novel discoveries to the market, creating positive market disruptions. With a strong emphasis on innovation and collaboration, the Research Park is the premier location for innovative companies to soar and grow beyond South Florida’s borders.
Located at the heart of Boca Raton, Florida, 1.8 miles away from the beach and adjacent to the Boca Raton Airport, the Research Park is more than just a location; it is a partner in its companies’ success. Spanning 70 acres, with direct access to I-95 and adjoining Florida Atlantic University—home to 30,000 students—it is widely regarded as the South Florida area’s premier location and laboratory for pioneering research and technology commercialization to prosper and expand due to the location benefits, as well as invaluable resources the Research Park team provides to support businesses and researchers.
The Research Park supports the growth of innovative companies by offering a wide range of resources and services. These include connections to top researchers in their fields, opportunities to hire Florida Atlantic students and recent graduates, personalized market insights, actionable intelligence, priority access to research equipment, and introductions to key business contacts, customers, vendors, and government leaders. Additionally, the Research Park hosts networking and exclusive educational and mentoring opportunities. Given the comprehensive range of services and the prime location, the Research Park at Florida Atlantic is an ideal and competitive location for innovative technology or research-driven companies to thrive.
Given these extensive benefits and the strategic advantages provided, the Research Park serves as a significant resource for advancing research projects, launching new products, and fostering business growth. They focus on five key industries: Med-tech, AI, Sensors & Embedded Networks, Cybersecurity, and Ocean Tech. These companies are distinguished by their commitment to encourage innovation and advancement within their respective fields. Although these are the five industries they focus on, the Research Park is not limited to these industries. For these companies to grow and flourish, creative partnerships with Florida Atlantic and the regional business community are crucial for success.
The Research Park fosters a dynamic culture where companies can utilize the vast resources at Florida Atlantic University and its 30,000 students, including cutting-edge research, state-of-the-art laboratories, and the expertise and knowledge of faculty, student interns, and graduates. The Research Park maintains a close relationship with the university and its career center to also help promote the benefits of hiring student interns. By bringing students on as interns, companies benefit from fresh perspectives rooted in the latest academic teachings while also helping to shape them into highly effective employees ready to contribute from day one after graduation. Both the companies and the students receive mutual benefits.
The collaboration with these partnerships propels the Park and the companies that reside in it to success, driving groundbreaking advancements in research and for the businesses to grow rapidly. By facilitating the close relationship with FAU, the Research Park has its companies at the starting line of technology innovation, benefiting from a constant exchange of ideas, knowledge, and resources.
The Research Park is no stranger to accolades and achievements. The awards and recognition the Park receives, along with the successes of the companies within it, deeply reflect how the Park’s commitment to fostering connections between entrepreneurs and Florida Atlantic’s research faculty, as well as providing its benefits and services, supports thriving businesses. Each year dozens of new jobs are created in addition to at least twenty new internship experiences provided to Florida Atlantic students.
In almost each year, GrowFL has honored Florida Companies to Watch, with at least one Research Park at Florida Atlantic company among the honorees, and three nominated as finalists in 2024. In 2024 alone, three Research Park alumni companies ranked in the Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Private Companies in America list: ModMed, Silverlogic, and ShipMonk. In 2024, the Research Park was also honored by the South Florida Business Journal in their annual Inno Fire Awards, recognizing the Park’s significant contributions to innovation and growth in the region. Further, the South Florida Business Journal recognized two Research Park companies as among the fastest-growing companies in South Florida: Aventusoft, a prominent technology company specializing in healthcare solutions, and MPLT Healthcare, a healthcare staffing firm. MPLT Healthcare was also recognized by Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA) as one of the largest staffing firms in the United States. In 2021, the Research Park received the International Innovation Business Association (InBIA) Soft Landings Specialty Award. In 2023, they were honored with the Florida Business Incubator Association Outstanding Impact Award and the International Economic Development Council Excellence in Economic Development Silver Award. Currently, the Park is 84% leased, demonstrating its strong appeal and high demand for its innovative ecosystem.
Every company starts with an idea and shares the goal of growth and revenue generation. Unfortunately, many startups fail due to a lack of support and resources. Tech Runway at Florida Atlantic University, located in the Research Park, acts as a launchpad for early-stage technology companies, providing them with the mentorship, capital, and essential tools needed to succeed. The Park offers businesses a vibrant regional networking, rigorous business boot camps, business events, and more.
The aim is for these innovative start-up companies to outgrow their initial space and transition into new ones. For sustained success and to maintain their connection with the university and prime location, the goal is for these businesses to graduate to Global Ventures, a second-stage incubator. From there, they can continue to grow and eventually establish a permanent presence in the Research Park.
By Abigail Sears
