The University of South Florida (USF) and the Florida High Tech Corridor have announced a new partnership with the ARK Innovation Center in St. Petersburg, aiming to strengthen support for startups and entrepreneurs working on emerging technologies. The ARK Innovation Center, which opened in early 2024, was established through a collaboration involving ARK Invest—founded by Cathie Wood—and other regional partners.
Through this initiative, USF’s Institute of Applied Engineering will establish a presence at the ARK Innovation Center. The center serves as a launchpad for early-stage companies developing technologies such as machine learning, energy solutions, fintech, artificial intelligence, and blockchain.
Becca Brown, president and CEO of the Tampa Bay Innovation Center based at the ARK Innovation Center, said: “Our partnership with USF’s Institute of Applied Engineering and the Florida High Tech Corridor brings world-class research and applied innovation directly into the ARK Innovation Center. Together, we’re creating a living lab where academia, industry and entrepreneurs collaborate to turn breakthrough ideas into real-world impact. We are thrilled about this partnership.”
Startups located at the center will be able to participate in events and programs hosted by USF and the Corridor. They will also have access to services that connect them with USF faculty and research centers—including USF Technology Transfer—and opportunities for student internships as well as research partnerships through the Corridor’s Matching Grants Research Program.
Paul Sohl, CEO of the Florida High Tech Corridor, stated: “Partnering with the ARK Innovation Center aligns with the Corridor’s mission to advance innovation across our 23-county region. This unique center, in the heart of one of Florida’s most dynamic innovation hubs, is a launchpad for collaboration between inventors, entrepreneurs, researchers and industry leaders who are coming together to solve problems and shape the future.”
The location places USF’s Institute of Applied Engineering closer to St. Petersburg’s growing maritime and defense sector—a cluster made up of private companies, government agencies, and academic institutions focused on national security needs.
Darren Schumacher, president and CEO of USF Institute of Applied Engineering said: “Our collaboration with the ARK Innovation Center is about accelerating defense innovation from concept to capability. By linking the Institute of Applied Engineering’s applied research and prototyping expertise with ARK’s entrepreneurial and technology ecosystem, we’re strengthening the pathway for dual-use solutions that serve both national security and commercial markets. This partnership reflects Tampa Bay’s growing role as a hub for mission-driven innovation.”
The opening of ARK Innovation Center involved not only ARK Invest but also Pinellas County government officials and federal partners. Their goal is to accelerate growth among early-stage tech ventures by providing mentorships, collaborative workspaces, prototyping labs, coaching resources and improved access to capital.
This partnership follows several recent efforts by USF to deepen its engagement within Tampa Bay’s innovation ecosystem. In July 2025 it became Embarc Collective’s first university partner under their University Partnership Program; in September it signed an $85 million contract with the U.S. Army for broad-ranging research including cybersecurity and biotechnology projects.
In addition to these activities in St. Petersburg—where they often work alongside organizations like St. Petersburg Innovation District or Tampa Bay Wave—USF participates in initiatives such as The Continuum: a $13.9 million grant from NOAA Ocean Enterprise Accelerators program designed to address oceanic challenges via blue tech acceleration.
