The startup scene in United States

The Orlando Economic Partnership describes Greater Orlando’s regional strengths as including simulation, gaming, aerospace, healthcare, defense technology, and AI, and identifies access to capital as a regional priority. OEP reports nearly 80,000 technology professionals in the Orlando region; its calculation method was not captured. [1, 2]

UCF says its Orlando Incubator serves early-stage technology companies and was established in December 2007 through a partnership among UCF, the City of Orlando, and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. [3] The Florida High Tech Corridor describes rolling applications for research matching grants of up to $150,000 for industry partners and university researchers at UCF and/or USF, subject to project review. [4]

OEP says Worth AI was founded in Orlando in 2023 and is headquartered in Winter Park, Florida. OEP described 30 jobs at an average salary of $190,000 as planned, not realized hires. [5] TechCrunch reported on March 11, 2025, that Worth raised a $20 million seed round and focuses on SMB underwriting for fintechs, banks, and enterprises. [6]

UCF lists current undergraduate, graduate, and PhD candidates with pre-revenue or revenue ventures as eligible for UpStarts and says there is no fee; current application intake was not verified. [7]