“We are connectors,” states Andrew Cole, the executive director for East Orlando Chamber of Commerce (EOCC). In the past two years, there has been a spike in technology groups and organizations on the east side of town. This includes places such as Research Park, centered near University of Central Florida, and Lake Nona Medical City. With places like these, there sprouts a demand for researchers to be able to connect with one another to share ideas and help aid each other in business development. With the assistance of Dr. Thomas O’Neal, who specializes in research programs at UCF, the EOCC created the Technology Council & Innovation Forum.
Having launched the plan in October 2017, the East Chamber partnered with an organization called NineSigma to help get the ball rolling. NineSigma is a global company whose mission is to connect businesses with innovators. They have worked in places such as Europe, Japan and even Dubia. More than two million solution providers are a part of their web. In a press release from EOCC, the CEO of NineSigma, Andy Zynga, commented, “We’re excited to partner with the East Orlando Chamber of Commerce to bring this proven model to a new region. Its benefits will extend far beyond the limits of the project. Companies that work with us learn repeatable processes that deliver long-term business value.”
One might ask what makes the forum so unique and one of a kind? Well, it’s a place that allows business professionals from any technology company to meet face to face with like-minded individuals without the interference of what a general EOCC meeting might entail. This means there will be no sales pitch from a salesman or lawyer speaking about their new law firm. It will be a raw and “organic” collaboration between solution seekers and solvers, as Cole prefers to put it.
To kick off the new year, the big launch will happen this January or February as the EOCC finalizes the council’s chamber members. They are seeking companies that specialize in different areas. Cross connections are important, and having members from different sectors of technology is beneficial in figuring out problems across the board. Cole has identified the plus in doing so with the guidance of their new partner. NineSigma shared a case where there was an automotive company that was trying to find out how to measure the temperature in a quantity inside a container. Oddly enough, they found the answer from a company that specializes in dairy.
The East Orlando Chamber has simply provided the blank canvas for opportunity. Now it is up to the businesses who join to paint it to their needs. The EOCC’s Membership/Business Development Kathy Mills added, “NineSigma is a wonderful partner for us because they help to fill in all the gaps.”
The Innovation Council & Forum will plan to meet at least six times a year depending on the needs of the charter members. Ideas shared among members from business projects will remain protected under a non-disclosure. This will ensure privacy to that person’s ideas that they share with the group.
Since the Innovation Forum will help connect businesses in Central Florida, that means Lake Nona will be drastically impacted by the movement. Medical City contains a giant chunk of technological aspects that will benefit from being a part of the council. It has pieces such as Guidewell Innovation Center, Nemours Children’s Hospital and UCF College of Medicine. The forum also has drawn attraction from companies located farther out near Tampa and the Space Coast. Andrew says people will recognize Orlando as the technology hub after all is said and done. Businesses are being brought together, and recognition happens through being stronger in numbers. Cole ends his thoughts on the subject in confidence and excitement: “This is something that’s different. It can impact us globally.”
