DR. KEVIN COX

PROFESSOR - FAU TECH RUNWAY®

THOUGHT

Leader

AN INNOVATOR OF INDUSTRY
“AS I REFLECT ON THIS JOURNEY, I AM INSPIRED BY THE RESILIENCE, CREATIVITY, AND COLLABORATION THAT DEFINE OUR COMMUNITY.
South Florida 3D Book Cover - TechHub Logo1 (1)

As Featured In:

INNOVATE® South Florida

South Florida 3D Book Cover - TechHub Logo1 (1)

As Featured In:

INNOVATE® South Florida

Reflection on the Evolution of South Florida’s Innovation Ecosystem

For more than a decade, it’s been my honor and privilege to be deeply immersed within the South Florida entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem.

As the Director of Florida Atlantic University’s Adams Center for Entrepreneurship, a member of Tech Runway’s Board, a founding mentor at Tech Runway, an advisor to countless founders, and an active member of the South Florida Tech Hub, I’ve had a front-row seat to the incredible transformation of this vibrant community.

When I first ventured into the startup and innovation space, resources were scarce. There was no Runway Accelerator at Florida Atlantic, no Levan Center for Innovation at Nova, no Social Impact Lab at Lynn University, no 1909 incubator, and no 35 Mules. Palm Beach Tech Hub (now South Florida Tech Hub) was much smaller and focused primarily on downtown West Palm Beach. The Florida Venture Forum was active but considerably smaller in membership and conference attendance.

Since then, our ecosystem has exponentially expanded. The formation and growth of numerous support organizations and resources have created a rich and valuable environment for entrepreneurs and innovators. Today, we have a vibrant, active, and fully integrated ecosystem, offering a wealth of resources that position anyone for success.

This expansion has led to a marked improvement in the quality and number of innovations, startups, founders, and investors. In the early days of the Tech Runway accelerator, we struggled to identify three to four ventures suitable for the program annually. Despite these challenges, we celebrated breakout successes, including Shipmonk, founded by FAU alumni Jan Bednar, which has now achieved unicorn status. Today, the application process is highly competitive, accommodating 30-40 startups annually.

As recently noted by my colleague, Jessica Beaver, Associate Director of Tech Runway, in addition to the incredible resources and people, our ecosystem now benefits from genuine, tangible support from the public sector, including our cities, municipalities, and counties in South Florida. This support has been instrumental in fostering a thriving environment for innovation and entrepreneurship.

As I reflect on this journey, I am inspired by the resilience, creativity, and collaboration that define our community. We have built an ecosystem that not only supports but also celebrates the entrepreneurial spirit. The future holds even greater promise as we continue to grow and innovate together.

In closing, I am reminded that innovation is not just about creating new products or businesses. It’s about building a community that encourages and nurtures dreams, turning them into reality. South Florida has become a beacon of innovation and entrepreneurship, and I am excited to see what the next decade will bring.

Together, we will continue to shape a future where ideas flourish, and opportunities thrive.

Other INNOVATE® Ecosystems