Orlando is having trouble retaining talent, a concern for founder Joseph Westlake of SightPlan, whose local startup was acquired in 2022 for $135 million by smart home automation company SmartRent.
"I think we need to do everything we can to keep every engineer we graduate at University of Central Florida here locally, and I don't think we're doing enough,” he said. “So, each of you has a role in impacting that, I would encourage you to think creatively about how we don't lose [them].”
Westlake addressed an audience of staff, partners and supporters of the UCF Business Incubation Program at the group’s third annual stakeholder breakfast, held at UCF Downtown on April 30. During the event, four local entrepreneurs who have developed more than one business in the UCF Business Incubation Program — a nonprofit that provides business development and operational support to early-stage, technology and innovation-driven businesses throughout Central Florida — were included in a panel discussion about the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Orlando.
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A key to a healthy startup scene is a vibrant city environment, added CEO Sanjay Patel of Datanautix.
"We don't offer [an] exciting city to live in. It's still kind of developing,” he said. “For Orlando to come into [its] own as a destination for companies, it's the environmental stuff.”
In Patel’s view, talent is abandoning Orlando in droves in search of a more exciting place to live.
The panelists did share some encouraging words about Orlando’s entrepreneurial ecosystem when moderator Alan Byrd, president of Alan Byrd and Associates, invited them to delve into the support they’ve found as incubator clients.
CEO Andrew Palmer of Design Launchers highlighted the advantage of being able to grow and contract within flexible lease spaces, avoiding the challenge of being tied to a specific square footage.
“[A] flexible lease space is a huge advantage. Not being married to a space for two or three years, to be able to go in and say, 'I'm still growing,' but you never know how big you need," he said.
Palmer also said the incubator has been instrumental in connecting him with solutions and individuals who can help solve problems that arise.
Axilera Technologies CEO Axel Lopez emphasized the importance of community and networking opportunities facilitated by the incubator. Exposure to other companies working in proximity is a benefit, he said, because he can learn from other entrepreneurs.
UCF Business Incubation Program
- Top executive: Carol Ann Logue, director, Programs & Operations Innovation Districts & Incubation Program
- Locations: Research Park, downtown Orlando, Colonial Drive, Central Florida Boulevard, Lake Nona, Eustis, Kissimmee, Daytona Beach, Winter Springs
- Website: incubator.ucf.edu
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