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Research Park at FAU
ANNUAL REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY
RESEARCH PARK AT FAU
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rising
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FU
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ENTREPRENEURS
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generating
NEW JOBS 2
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2021 REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY
A ILD XP YOUR DREAMS. E
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making an impact with
Florida’s
COMPANIES TO WATCH
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GLOBAL VENTURES
at FAU
RESEARCH PARK at FAU
A YEAR OF CHANGE In 2021, the Research Park at FAU’s companies had to be nimble, contending with frequently changing healthcare scenarios, remote working, COVID-19 testing and vaccinations and an uncertain economic outlook. They proved, once again, to be resilient and innovative. The Research Park at FAU is South Florida’s laboratory for new ideas and strategies, and in 2021 new workplace routines and processes were invented and implemented successfully.
OUR MISSION To promote scientific research and development in affiliation with FAU, foster economic development and broaden the economic base of Broward and Palm Beach counties.
OUR VISION To be recognized as Florida’s foremost university research park, distinguished for contributions to research and development, commercialization and economic development in affiliation with Florida Atlantic University.
RESEARCH PARK AT FAU
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generating
NEW JOBS
Throughout 2021, Research Park at FAU companies created 116 net new jobs, an 80% increase over 2020, contributing to a total of 681 jobs supported in the park. 4
2021 REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY
GenesisCare and FAU College of Medicine teamed up to offer radiation oncology elective for 4th year students.
FAU Clinical Skills Simulation Center trained more than 800 practicing nurses, more than 1,200 foreign nurses as well more than 100 residents, 256 medical students and more than 100 physicians for advanced trauma life support.
Life science imaging and treatment centers were able to continue to support hospitals by absorbing more ambulatory patients during the pandemic surges.
Material Bank raised $100M in a Series C round to fuel its technology and logistics platform.
Several companies saw revenues increase 40-60% despite the pandemic. Company secured federal research grants in the amount of $4.5 million.
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Florida’s
COMPANIES TO WATCH
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2021 REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY
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These honorees reflect the continued success of the strategies employed by the Research Park at FAU to grow diverse, high tech companies that contribute to the strength of the South Florida economy. 4ocean, Aventusoft and MPLT Healthcare each have a unique relationship with Florida Atlantic University, engaging students and research faculty to enhance the student experience and deepen the research portfolio. Each of these companies harnesses its own entrepreneurial energy with the resources of FAU for mutual benefit.
– Andrew Duffell
President of Research Park at FAU
4ocean and MPLT Healthcare recognized as GrowFL Companies to Watch. The top 50 honorees were selected from hundreds of applicants and nominees in this statewide competition that identifies companies expected to see significant growth over the next several years. MPLT Healthcare was honored by South Florida Business Journal as one of the fastest growing companies in South Florida. The Research Park at FAUbased company was ranked 17th with $33.4m annual revenues, representing a 77.5% increase over the three preceding years. “We are very excited to be listed among the South Florida Business Journal’s Fast 50 again this year. This award means a lot to our team because it is a reflection of the tremendous work each of our employees has been doing over the past year,” commented Liz Hale, President of MPLT Healthcare.
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GLOBAL VENTURES
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Global Ventures is designed to support second-stage* entrepreneurs and their growing companies as they scale to the next level of success and sustainability in the South Florida economy. It seeks to connect technology-based companies from fields in which Florida Atlantic University’s researchers and students excel, such as education, data science, health, artificial intelligence, smart grids, smart cities and life sciences.
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2021 REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY
*A second-stage company is:
• • • • •
10+ employees $750,000+ annual revenues Poised for growth Technology matching FAU expertise Committed to South Florida
In 2021, Global Ventures soared to new heights as the softlanding hub for 30 domestic and international technologybased companies. Ten new companies joined Global Ventures in 2021, and the incoming companies reflect the diversity within Global Ventures with companies from the US, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Canada, Colombia, Curaçao and Ecuador.
Global Ventures companies collectively:
Raised
Secured Global Ventures brings three distinct advantages to the region: • New ideas in the form of intellectual property closer to FAU for collaboration and commercialization • New capital infused into the economy
Won
• Net new, high tech jobs
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ENTREPRENEURS The dedication and impact of the entrepreneurs did not go unnoticed. Global Ventures entrepreneurs were recognized as finalists in GrowFL’s Florida Companies to Watch, Entrepreneur of the Year, and listed among Forbes Next 1000 Rising Entrepreneurs. To foster international cooperation and attract foreign direct investment to South Florida, Global Ventures secured international partnership with two technology incubators and special districts in Ecuador and Brazil.
FloSpine received FDA clearance for its PANAMA™ medical device. FloSpine is a spinal implant company that researches and develops innovative and cost-effective medical devices for spinal implants and instruments. The PANAMA™ Anterior Cervical Plate is used as supplemental fixation to support
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2021 REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY
the spine after a cervical discectomy and fusion has been performed. The system is designed with a unique screw locking mechanism that prevents screw backout after being implanted in a patient.
10 Companies Joined Global Ventures in 2021:
COLOMBIA CHILE
Azurian digital transformation is not about technology, it is a new way of thinking about business and surprising your customers.
Básica Latam uses human-centered design and data science as tools to help different companies and brands accomplish new milestones, with the same goal: to find a better way for the organizations to do marketing and improve the world through every action.
COLOMBIA
CloudLabs produces CloudLabs®️ laboratory simulators for experiencing virtual learning environments based on STEM model (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) and vocational areas (agriculture, programmable automation, technology, electronic, process control, robotics, electrical networks, among others). These simulators integrate technology by using a methodology that prioritizes challengedbased learning, making decisions and problem solving.
CANADA
The DNALabs team are committed to developing safe and useful genetic testing products helping everyone know more about themselves.
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ECUADOR
Easymetering’s hardware, software and firmware brings benefits for electricity utilities and energy producers.
UNITED STATES
Hawkeye MedTech is a provider of TotalCare, a feature rich and yet easy to use telehealth platform. TotalCare enables healthcare providers to better coordinate patient care and manage patient chronic disease.
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2021 REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY
BRAZIL
FAST2Mine revolutionizes mining operational management.
CURAÇAO
ITS Caribbean & Latin America create and promote smart mobility solutions and services through co-founding projects, innovation platforms and labs, research, international and regional collaboration, and events. It also promotes smart mobility solutions across nations and industries through worldwide collaboration and partnerships.
ARGENTINA
SM-C is in the telecommunications market, providing various types of fiber optic products and solutions. SM-C manufactures all of its products, allowing flexibility to adapt to the needs of its customers.
UNITED STATES
University Wafer is the leading international supplier of semiconductor substrates and services.
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The Research Park at FAU provided $130,000 of
The Research Park at FAU secured financial support
direct assistance to Global Ventures companies in
from the City of Boca Raton and Palm Beach County
the form of rental subsidies on facilities and other
to support the Global Ventures initiative.
associated costs, lightening the load on tech-based companies so they had more free cash flow to invest
Global Ventures also partnered with the South Florida
in their businesses and innovation efforts. This brings
business community to augment that financial support
the Research Park at FAU’s direct investment in its
and provide critical advisory services to its companies.
companies’ success to more than $1 million over the last ten years.
BRODZKI JACOBS
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2021 REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY
Global Ventures staff provided 360 hours of consultation and advisory services to its companies to advance execute their strategies, connecting them to partners such as the FAU Career Center, faculty researchers and the wider business community. Each year, the International Business Innovation Association (InBIA) recognizes business incubators and entrepreneurship centers with proven track records of excellence. These organizations and the outstanding companies they serve are the foundation for regional economic growth in communities around the world. InBIA’s awards celebrate the heart of business incubation and entrepreneurial economic development organizations. InBIA awards in the Specialty Category honor specific activities and accomplishments of entrepreneurship centers to improve their organizations or to better serve their ecosystems, communities and clients. In 2021, the soft landings specialty was added for the first time for those centers offering specialized services to international and domestic companies and it was awarded to Global Ventures. RESEARCH PARK AT FAU
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3651 FAU Boulevard Suite 400, Boca Raton, FL 33431 561.416.6092 www.research-park.org
@ResearchParkFAU
Supported by:
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2021 REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY