ORLANDO
KEEPING THE NEWS LO CAL... AND THE COMMUNIT Y CONNECTED. APRIL 2020
LIVE
Coffee Hour with Beat
PAGE 2
LEARN
Championship Martial Arts
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WORK
Avalon Park Business Directory
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PLAY
Broadening Horizons
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COMMUNITY UPDATES
VOLUME 1
EDITION 3
$1 MILLION ENTREPRENEUR FUND Established for the Avalon Innovation Center The business world has been rapidly changing over the past decade, and even more so in the past month. The COVID-19 Pandemic has expedited a new approach to employment and has raised questions as to what the new norm is and what it will look like in the near and distant future. And if the COVID-19 Pandemic has not already affected your employment status, the question is when and how will it? We fortunately live in a world where technology makes working from home or another place away from the office a possibility. But where do we go from here? Earlier this year it was announced that The 5th Floor international pro-work space would open their flagship office in Muttenz, Switzerland, with subsequent locations to open within a year in two Avalon Park Communities, Orlando and Wesley Chapel. Additional international locations are scheduled to come online in locations like Singapore, Sydney, Australia and Central and South America. The pro-working space is customized both in the physical space and the services provided. The concept provides not only a space for businesses to work, they provide local and regional connections that help global connectivity for businesses looking to expand internationally. The flagship 5th Floor location in Muttenz, Switzerland is located next to one of Europe’s leading bio-tech Universities, “FHNW”. As a leading location for bio-technical growth, it is a natural fit for small and spin off bio-tech companies to expand. One of the most powerful resources The 5th Floor has globally is it’s relationships with the local universities. In Muttenz, FHNW provides relationships and opportunity for growth in the bio-tech industry. The same can be said with the Orlando location and its relationship with the University of Central Florida in the technology, medical and defense industries. Other 5th Floor locations will have similar relationships, that create avenues for related connections. The 5th Floor location in Avalon Park Orlando is the next location slated to open
and is the ideal space for the growing entrepreneurial business. With an opening date of late summer 2020, the “Live, Learn, Work and Play” concept becomes even more available to the residents of Avalon Park and the east Orlando Community. Beat Kahli, President and CEO of Avalon Park Group, has a history of supporting entrepreneurs with great ideas. In fact, a similar fund was established in the early 2000’s to kick off the start of Downtown Avalon Park. One of the recipients of that early-on investment went on to grow into a million-dollar business, with locations in more than 7 states. “As an entrepreneur, I understand that sometimes a good idea is just a good idea until somebody else believes in it too,” said Kahli. Aware of a rapid business climate change and the need to support local entrepreneurs, Avalon Park Group has created a fund to support local business and foster growth in this ever-changing time. The initial fund is over $1,000,000 and is intended to be distributed to entrepreneurs who are either looking to start a new business, spin off from another business or grow an existing small business. The fund amounts will start at $10,000 and will be given in 3 different categories: Start-Up, Spin-Off and Expanding Businesses. The award package will include a combination of cash, office space and an entire team of experts from CPA’s, to legal advisors, to MBA’s and marketing experts working around the clock for the success of your business. All industries are encouraged to apply. Along the various stages of the application process a panel of international business leaders will be evaluating and processing submissions. “We have formed a team of experts from 4 continents to review and award the funds.” said Kahli. “The jury is comprised of Dr. Christoph Stutz, International Developer based in Basel, Switzerland, CarolAnn Dykes Logue from the University of Central Florida’s Innovation Districts, Andreas Derzsi from sitEX Singapore, Kirby Parsonage Director and Investment Fund Manager at Sumner
Capital in Sydney, Australia, and Marybel Defillo, CFO at Avalon Park Group, Marta Pierluisi representing The 5th Floor in San Juan Puerto Rico and myself.” said Kahli. If you are interested in submitting your application, please email Info@AvalonParkGroup.com.
The process for being considered for one of the Avalon Innovation Center Fund(s) is as follows: 1. Submit Initial Application
Deadline April 1-17, 2020
2. Jury Review of Applications April 18-30, 2020
3. Invitations for formal package submission May 1, 2020
4. Formal Package Submission Deadline May 15, 2020
5. Jury Review of Formal
Package Submissions May 16- May 31, 2020
6. Invitation for Live Presentation in front of Jury June 1, 2020
7. Live Jury Presentations June 15-30, 2020
8. Award Presentation July 17, 2020
If you are interested in submitting your application, please email Info@AvalonParkGroup.com.