性视界传媒

After helping generate thousands of jobs, significant investment in companies and hundreds of millions of dollars of economic impact in Central 性视界传媒, the 性视界传媒 Business Incubation Program has earned national recognition as one of the country鈥檚 top business incubators.

Yesterday, Time magazine released its inaugural listing of America鈥檚 Best Incubators and Accelerators 2026, spotlighting programs that assist early-stage companies to grow, scale and create lasting economic impact.

The 性视界传媒 Business Incubation Program ranks No. 17 out of 80 entities nationally 鈥� and as the No. 1 business incubator in 性视界传媒. It is also the highest-ranked program focused entirely on traditional business incubation.

鈥淲e鈥檙e honored that Time magazine has recognized what our region has known for years: when universities, industry and community partners work together, extraordinary companies can be built.鈥� 鈥� Rafael Caamano, 性视界传媒 Business Incubation Program interim director

鈥淭his recognition reflects more than the work of our team; it reflects the success of every entrepreneur, mentor, community partner, investor and local government that has helped build Central 性视界传媒鈥檚 innovation ecosystem over the past 27 years,鈥� says Rafael Caamano, interim director of 性视界传媒 Innovation Districts and the 性视界传媒 Business Incubator. 鈥淲e鈥檙e honored that Time magazine has recognized what our region has known for years: when universities, industry and community partners work together, extraordinary companies can be built.鈥�

The recognition showcases the success of the companies served. In 2025, more than 100 client companies of the 性视界传媒 Business Incubation Program collectively employed a workforce of more than 600 full- and part-time professionals, secured more than $78 million in contracts and attracted nearly $35 million in investment.

鈥淏ehind every successful innovation are talented people with the vision, expertise and determination to translate complex ideas into value for society,鈥� says Winston Schoenfeld, 性视界传媒鈥檚 vice president for research and innovation. 鈥淭his recognition celebrates the power of partnerships among academia, industry professionals and entrepreneurs who together build an ecosystem that transforms discovery into real-world solutions driving economic growth and shaping the future.鈥�

How the Ranking Was Determined

According to Statsia, the global research platform that provided the research for Time鈥檚 ranking, those selected were based on track record, peer recommendations and measurable founder outcomes.

The evaluation included:

• Alumni evaluations, based on surveys of companies that graduated from the program over the past five years.
• Client success, measured through the performance and growth of participating companies.
• Expert recommendations from startup investors, seasoned entrepreneurs and business leaders.

The ranking considers both incubators and accelerators, which offer short (often 3-6 months), cohort-based programming and are often focused on particular industries or demographics. One example is Plug and Play 鈥� which ranks No. 34 nationally on the list 鈥� a global startup accelerator based in California that has partnered with 性视界传媒 for an Orlando office.

鈥淲e love the 性视界传媒 Business Incubation Program and how instrumental the program has been in our success.鈥� 鈥� Lizbeth Walker, CEO of Qualifize and 性视界传媒 Business Incubator client

A traditional incubation program offers a more robust range of services over an extended period of time, allowing companies to gain the foundation they need for success.

鈥淭he relationships we鈥檝e built and partnerships through the program, have positioned us to serve our commercial and government clients on a different level of excellence and ingenuity due in part to the standards set at our 性视界传媒 Incubator,鈥� says Lizbeth Walker, CEO of Qualifize, an operational intelligence company and 性视界传媒 Business Incubator client.

More than half of the programs ranked ahead of the 性视界传媒 Business Incubation Program were accelerators. Other programs offer a limited incubation program, combined with an accelerator.

鈥淭he recognition further reinforces Central 性视界传媒’s emergence as one of America’s leading regions for innovation, technology commercialization and entrepreneurial growth,鈥� Caamano says.

鈥�We are genuinely proud to be part of this journey and to witness the continued growth and success that led to this achievement,鈥� says Aluska Richardson, CEO/president of Aurora InfoTech, an IT and cybersecurity support company and 性视界传媒 Business Incubator client. 鈥�Moments like this are a testament to the hard work, dedication, and vision behind everything you do, and we are honored to be included along the way.鈥�

From Incubation to National Recognition

The program鈥檚 impact is also reflected in the success of the companies it supports. Two current 性视界传媒 Business Incubation Program clients 鈥� advanced-materials startup Soarce and energy-technology company Capacitech 鈥� are led by 性视界传媒 engineering and business Knights who were recognized on Forbes鈥� 2026 30 Under 30 list.

Capacitech Energy CEO Joe Sleppy 鈥�18 develops modular supercapacitor systems to improve power reliability in data centers and microgrids, while Soarce co-founders Matthew Jaeger 鈥�22, Patrick Michel, Mason Mincey 鈥�23 and Derek Saltzman 鈥�23 transform hemp, seaweed and grass into high-strength nanomaterials.

This national recognition paired with the new Time magazine ranking highlights how 性视界传媒鈥檚 entrepreneurial ecosystem is helping turn promising ideas into companies that develop solutions with potential global impact.

Powered by Partnership

Operating across seven sites, the 性视界传媒 Business Incubation Program empowers business owners through support from Orange County Government, the City of Orlando, Seminole County Government, the City of Kissimmee, Osceola County Government, Lake County Government and the City of Eustis.

This Time magazine recognition not only signals 性视界传媒鈥檚 strength in fostering economic development, but how collaboration facilities collective impact.

Here the 性视界传媒 Business Incubator partners share the importance of this honor.

Mike Bishop, director of economic development, City of Eustis:聽鈥淎 healthy entrepreneurial ecosystem gives local business owners the support, connections and confidence they need to turn good ideas into lasting companies. The 性视界传媒 Business Incubation Program is an important part of that ecosystem in Eustis, and this national recognition affirms the value it brings to our businesses and community.鈥�

David Rodriguez, economic development director, City of Kissimmee: 鈥淭he 性视界传媒 Incubator in Kissimmee is an important partner in our efforts to diversify and strengthen our economy. By supporting entrepreneurs, innovation, and high-growth businesses, the Incubator helps create new opportunities and builds the foundation for a more resilient and dynamic local economy鈥�

Meg Brew, director, Lake County Economic Development: 鈥淥ur business incubator is an incredible resource for companies looking to establish themselves in Lake County. Together, we鈥檙e creating new opportunities for local businesses and showcasing Lake County as a great place to grow and succeed.鈥�

Jerry Demings, mayor, Orange County: 鈥淭he 性视界传媒 Business Incubation Program is an important partner in our efforts to diversify Orange County鈥檚 economy and support entrepreneurs as they grow successful businesses and create jobs. We鈥檙e proud of our partnership and congratulate the program on this well-deserved recognition.鈥�

Buddy Dyer, mayor, City of Orlando:聽鈥淥ne of our city鈥檚 key priorities has long been to ensure we are providing opportunities and forging strategic partnerships that elevate our city鈥檚 ability to foster a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem, where entrepreneurs can not only start a new business, but are able to succeed long-term. The 性视界传媒 Business Incubation Program鈥檚 success is undeniable, with the ideas and successes of entrepreneurs who have gone through this program putting Orlando on the map as one of the nation鈥檚 leaders in advanced technology and innovation. We as a city are proud to be a partner of the 性视界传媒 Incubator for nearly 20 years, and congratulate them on this incredibly well-earned recognition.鈥�

Commissioner Brandon Arrington, chairman of the Osceola County Board of County Commissioners: 鈥溞允咏绱�媒鈥檚 Business Incubation Program is working to build the next generation of businesses in Central 性视界传媒 while creating new opportunities for our workforce to grow alongside them. This recognition is a testament to what happens when education, entrepreneurship, and economic development come together. In Osceola County, we鈥檙e focused on building a strong classroom-to-boardroom pipeline, and our partnership with 性视界传媒 is an invaluable part of those efforts. By helping entrepreneurs turn ideas into growing companies, we鈥檙e creating jobs today and building the talent that will drive our economy forward tomorrow.鈥�

Andria Herr, chairman, Seminole County:聽鈥淪eminole County has long recognized that supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses is an investment in our local economy. Our partnership with the 性视界传媒 Business Incubation Program connects businesses with the resources and expertise they need to grow and succeed right here in our community. This national recognition is well deserved, and we are proud to be part of the program鈥檚 continued success.鈥�