Innovate Orlando CEO David Adelson has announced he will step down from his position with the organization he founded.
A leader in Central Florida’s tech scene, Adelson said on July 24 he will retire, but plans to stay on until his successor is found.
“In retirement, I am looking forward to traveling, spending more time with my family and exploring new hobbies that I have always been passionate about,” wrote Adelson in a letter sent to his organization’s email subscribers. “This new chapter is an exciting opportunity for personal growth and rejuvenation.”
Adelson told Orlando Business Journal the board was informed of his decision earlier in July. The timeline for an executive search has not been formally announced but Adelson said it will involve identifying "someone who not only understands the entrepreneurial journey but also has the ability to inspire and unite" the local startup community.
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Adelson for two years was chief innovation officer with Orlando Economic Partnership.
In June 2023, he announced the formation of Innovate Orlando, telling OBJ at the time, “I'm an entrepreneur. I started my business, I sold my company. So with Innovate Orlando, I'm treating this like a business, and to do that, there has to be a plan to execute upon. My business today is Orlando. Orlando is the name of my company."
Innovate Orlando is styled as an economic development arm, not unlike Orlando Economic Partnership. Adelson described the nonprofit as responsible for growing Orlando’s tech economy.
“We're not selling a product. We're not selling a service. We're selling a destination of technology and innovation. If you peel it back, we're basically community builders,” he said. “We are telling the world what this community is in hopes that they learn so much about it that they want to relocate their businesses here or they want to grow their businesses here.”
Prior to his work with Orlando Economic Partnership and Innovate Orlando, Adelson from 2008 to 2020 was a C-suite-level leader at SaaS (or software as a service) company Intelity, a guest experience and management platform for the hospitality industry.
Orlando Tech Community, a membership organization for those involved in Central Florida’s tech industry, was once governed by Orlando Economic Partnership, but moved under Innovate Orlando when it launched.
President Dawn Haynes of Orlando Tech Community said, “Orlando Tech Community’s initiatives will continue to support the vision and mission of Innovate Orlando.”
Adelson said Haynes, the executive committee and committee chairs will continue Innovate Orlando’s operations.
He also referenced Ken Hall, a partner with DeepWork Capital; Amy Beaird, senior platform manager for The Engine Accelerator; Kyle Morrand, CEO of 302 Interactive and McMullan as playing a pivotal role in Innovate Orlando’s future.
Board chair Daryl Holt — also Senior Vice President and Group General Manager of Tiburon Studios & American Football at EA Sports — said, "David’s profound contributions to and impact on our tech ecosystem and the broader business community are both significant and enduring. While his retirement is unfortunate for Innovate Orlando, it offers an opportunity to celebrate David for his inspirational and dynamic leadership as CEO to usher in a new era for the Orlando Tech Community.
"Our board is now starting the process of finding the best possible candidate to follow in David's footsteps and unite the region’s businesses and technology organizations to drive Innovate Orlando’s collective impact strategy forward."
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