NCS News Desk

https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2021/03/02/new-orlando-tech-entrepreneurship-programs-to-laun.html?ana=e_orl_bn_editorschoice_editorschoice&j=90552430&t=Breaking%20News&mkt_tok=NjczLVVXWS0yMjkAAAF7k0cmlRn12HStdMxcB8ZK4CDj84cihLJciteWk2LOr4QI4dRvKzU_RDxcpTMQxx4h4RHDY6BovIWwdJIx5DhwZwyODWUdlIvH4I6n7d-oh2AnDN4 Local groups will grow and launch tech entrepreneurship programs after Orange County designated a chunk of cash for the purpose. County commissioners on Feb. 23 approved a $1.95 million economic stimulus grant meant to help diversify the region’s tourism-centric economy. This money will fund tech and entrepreneurship initiatives at the University of Central Florida, […]

https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2021/02/25/2021-businesswoman-of-the-year-beverly-seay.html?utm_source=st&utm_medium=en&utm_campaign=me&utm_content=or&ana=&j=23054068 The last year has been fraught with challenges for Beverly Seay — and only some of it was related to Covid-19. As chair of the University of Central Florida Board of Trustees, she led the entity responsible for administering the state’s largest university’s policy decisions; the implementation and maintenance of high-quality education programs; and […]

https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2021/02/24/electric-battery-maker-microvast-plans-orlando-r-d.html?ana=e_orl_bn_exclusive_exclusive&j=90551840&t=Breaking%20News&mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiWkRsbFlXSTNORGcwTnpGbSIsInQiOiJCQTlTR3pUMlZmTWoweFFYbTc3Q1VmdThkWXU1Mm83ZStxcjh6YUVmV2QwS29Fa2tJeDlIZVk0ZTVuMnhFYzV2dG9raEJtXC9nc0FEVjJIWiszT24xWWRLcEduVlBzTndGXC8rZDlnZ0ZWcjhPZE5zRkFUWnluUzRiVlNGalwvWVNZdSJ9 A manufacturer of lithium ion batteries for electric vehicles will charge up its operations in Central Florida, creating tech jobs in the process. Microvast Inc. plans to turn its small presence in the University of Central Florida incubator program into an Orlando research and development facility that would house up to 150 employees. The […]

https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2021/02/23/lockheed-snags-huge-air-force-deals-for-missile-wo.html A pair of missile contracts will launch new local work for Lockheed Martin Corp. The U.S. Air Force awarded two contracts worth a combined $842 million to Lockheed Martin Corp. (NYSE: LMT), announced the Department of Defense on Feb. 22. Both will create work for Lockheed in Orlando, where the Bethesda, Maryland-based defense giant […]

https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2021/02/22/investors-leaving-california-create-opportunity-fo.html?utm_source=st&utm_medium=en&utm_campaign=me&utm_content=or&ana=&j=23031289 California venture capitalists are flocking to cheaper Sunbelt cities, and many want Orlando to get in on the action. The Bay Area is hemorrhaging residents, losing 45,000 people in 2020 per a report by real estate brokerage Redfin Corp. Among those leaving the high-tax, high-cost metro are the investors who make Silicon Valley the […]

The Naval Surface Warfare Center in Crane, Ind., has awarded Collins Aerospace Systems, a unit of Raytheon Technologies (RTX), a seven-year, $64 million Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract to provide sonar domes for surface combat ships for the U.S Navy and Allied forces. The agreement, which builds upon a previous five-year production contract, includes […]

The University of Central Florida is preparing to launch a new program that will be among the first for a public university. UCF will start its two-year master’s degree program in themed experiences this fall. It will teach the design of environments to tell a story in places such as theme parks, zoos, aquariums, themed […]

Leasecake Inc. has closed a $3 million investment round that will expand its commercial real estate software, the company announced Feb. 16. The Winter Park-based firm was founded in 2017 at entrepreneurship competition Startup Weekend Orlando as a property management platform. Leasecake since has expanded to offer “location management” software, which allows businesses to manage services related […]

https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2021/02/12/ucf-tech-firm-and-vc-fund-launch-central-florida.html?ana=e_orl_bn_editorschoice_editorschoice&j=90550511&t=Breaking%20News&mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiT1RoaU5HUmxZelprWkdJMyIsInQiOiJWTGVnWEY5VkxOVWdiaEFTbTJYTW42dU9UK3lITzJ5ZEFYZUlHdHo1MzVDandRd2dIYkxQdVM1bkx2c2lVZW5XRWRjTlg1Z0FCd3JoUU5USlI2TCtqZ1pjbTM5U0dLSURTVU5sc3pZU3p3WnJ4WFhDck1jNUVNbnFRaWpodHc1RCJ9 Central Florida blockchain businesses will have more opportunities to grow thanks to a new nonprofit lab that has millions of dollars in venture capital behind it. The launch of the Blockchain Innovation Lab was announced Feb. 12 by the lab’s three Central Florida organizers: the University of Central Florida, business development firm Neoware Studios […]

Tony McGee, CEO, HNM Global Logistics  “I would say the obvious as it relates to opportunities is our hidden gem, Research Park. With [U.S. Army simulation center] PEO STRI over there, you have $3.5 billion in contracts coming out of that small geographic area. We would like to increase our opportunities with the federal government. […]

https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2021/02/10/business-accelerator-burnout-to-triple-its-video-g.html?ana=e_orl_bn_editorschoice_editorschoice&j=90550116&t=Breaking%20News&mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiTVRRMk16ZGlNRGd4TVRJeiIsInQiOiJuYU1wck5QcU9FWVdpODJud2pXRnhPb0NpNDZLbUw3XC9lUG9maVlIUjhhcFREVEZ5bnBjTHRBTWR0SWpJZ0N3dEM5MHo3NTZzbUdhVWx0RXkyQlRCSlJ2RTBRc2VkekZFMWd3RVJ1RHVoQm9SaXpoZFJvUlYzNEdnK09zR3RMZ1UifQ%3D%3D Burnout Game Ventures LLC doubled its projects in 2020, and it aims to triple that number this year. The Winter Park-based video game accelerator hit a growth spurt in 2020, adding 50 members and four staff employees. Burnout already has added another 25 people this year, with expectations to add a hundred in the […]

https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2021/02/02/ea-sports-to-revive-college-football-video-games.html?ana=e_me_set1&j=90549004&t=Morning&mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiTmpVMk16aGxaR0V4T0RReSIsInQiOiJBNlRwXC9ZUzRXdmZwUys4dFN4a1IwaGJNZVY5S2ppeG1iaHB4V2NSTk5wU05TdVQ1OFc0MHVpSWlyNDV2SERKbUFpd2UrMlhBRnVPdlhSY09HelN1Ym5XMlYzbVJLZktCY202MlRORmMzSEpsOEhyQ3VMN2pvanNWaHF0NjA5dTEifQ%3D%3D Gaming is a massive industry that spawns high-wage jobs. The U.S. video game industry in 2019 generated $90.3 billion in economic output and supported 429,000 jobs, including 16,270 jobs in Florida, according to the Entertainment Software Association.

https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2021/02/02/spirit-airlines-to-move-conrol-center-orlando-jobs.html?ana=e_me_set1&j=90549004&t=Morning&mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiTmpVMk16aGxaR0V4T0RReSIsInQiOiJBNlRwXC9ZUzRXdmZwUys4dFN4a1IwaGJNZVY5S2ppeG1iaHB4V2NSTk5wU05TdVQ1OFc0MHVpSWlyNDV2SERKbUFpd2UrMlhBRnVPdlhSY09HelN1Ym5XMlYzbVJLZktCY202MlRORmMzSEpsOEhyQ3VMN2pvanNWaHF0NjA5dTEifQ%3D%3D Spirit Airlines plans to increase its operations at Orlando International Airport and create more local jobs. The airport announced that the Miramar-based airliner will to move part of its operational control center — which helps it track flights — from South Florida to Orlando starting in June. That means 75 positions, or 40% of […]

https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2021/02/01/orlando-among-best-metros-for-stem-workers.html?ana=e_ae_prem&j=90548777&t=Afternoon&mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiTmpFMk1EUmhaak5tT0dRMiIsInQiOiJ6cUxkN3RHaVVYUDRZWVIxa3dkQ2E0MkdIR3FYeTUrVFwvdHp5NmlqSHptd2xcL0lSUEw2QkJvd3duUVZMbmhzNVJDXC9COVlPNmg5UmlDTVlkNkRrMzk5VGhKSm1BaUxKMFBTclYydHc1eTJcL1ZGY0RZaVZwSnRiN0I3MkpyUWZVakwifQ%3D%3D Metro Orlando, along with two other Central Florida metros, are among the best areas for STEM professionals, according to a new report. WalletHub evaluated the nation’s 100 largest metro areas to find the best metros for science, technology, engineering and math workers. Each metro was graded on key areas including STEM opportunities, STEM friendliness and […]

https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Releases/Release/Article/2484504/statement-by-secretary-of-defense-lloyd-j-austin-iii-on-tackling-the-climate-cr/ I fully support the President’s direction today to include climate considerations as an essential element of our national security and to assess the impacts of climate change on our security strategies, operations, and infrastructure. Since 2010, the Department of Defense has acknowledged that the planet’s changing climate has a dramatic effect on our missions, […]

https://warontherocks.com/2021/01/its-time-to-move-the-army-ladder/ For 20 years, the U.S. Army has fought militarily inferior enemies in Afghanistan and Iraq. The wars have been inconclusive. Now, the Army is embarking on an effort to compete with China and Russia — two advanced nuclear powers with the potential to compete toe to toe with the United States in almost every […]

https://goldskysecurity.com/a-quick-recap-of-cybersecurity-in-2020/?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=2020-cybesecurity-recap The year 2020 will go down in history for many reasons, such as some of the most intrusive security incidents. We saw an innovative focus on machine learning and artificial intelligence, leveraged for both defensive and offensive campaigns. Additionally, the cybersecurity industry experienced unprecedented ransomware and supply chain compromises, targeting critical industries. In 2021, […]

https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2021/01/25/semiconductor-maker-skywater-osceola-create-jobs.html?ana=e_orl_bn_breakingnews_breakingnews&j=90547751&t=Breaking%20News&mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiTkRSbFpXTTRNRFZrTTJZeCIsInQiOiI3eUZ1eWg3THdBUjlvMjlxQ2J1emI1VTA4TkxIWHRoZVZ4U3VSVmZGZzNLaDFES2dicklDYVFGTFgyVFk0M2lwSlNRK0pRN29VWDd0N0lBNWtHTXNDN3hLYUFLXC82QVU0Wjc2NmhKNGswbzZuMytqb3REOHRGWk5yMDM0WUpINGMifQ%3D%3D Osceola County’s fledgling NeoCity district has a new high-tech tenant set to create hundreds of local high-wage jobs. SkyWater Technology Foundry Inc. will take over the University of Central Florida’s lease of the 109,000-square-foot Center for Neovation in Kissimmee. The firm will operate the semiconductor research and development facility until 2044 and create 220 […]

https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2021/01/22/luminar-and-more-powered-orlando-vc-activity-to-a.html?ana=e_orl_bn_editorschoice_editorschoice&j=90547347&t=Breaking%20News&mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiTW1NMk16WXpaV1ppTURVMCIsInQiOiJNb1ZyWG1RVTY1RUg0XC8rY21TMFwvTm14TkVVTFNMMCtJditPWW1Pb0pTaHZ4aEM2M0hUWFZ0eVg4QlRJcTRtVHY1ZFVSbTlSNzRNejRaQkl2Z1ZTNk1TenVDSjVNSVU5MEFGYWF0SjZwdWNPV05CS04rMUNBbTdyREk1UmpJSEJGIn0%3D ‘Momentum to continue’ That strong fourth-quarter performance powered 2020 to one of the best recent years for local venture capital activity. More than half of the $325 million raised last year came from $184 million that investors injected into Luminar Technologies Inc. as part of its merger with Gores Metropoulos Inc. Luminar, an Orlando-based maker of […]

https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2021/01/20/tavistock-eyes-another-orlando-site-for-air-taxi-v.html?ana=e_me_prem&j=90547096&t=Morning&mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiTXpjNU9UWTVNVEZpT0RjNSIsInQiOiI0dER2ZitKTUxGQjZoblN6aXZ0VVJwejIzdGk1NEdFUDhUVXg3dUY3ZGZPNXo2dEpaNkV4TWY3aXZqNGt0NVc2V1NucjJSU29FeWpDelVDTWJMczN0WWJpVUc1bVwvaWR2RW5rVXJnNE1LZEhsQXJIamxYTnB4SHpKcHA0Qm5kYjkifQ%3D%3D   Tavistock Development Co. LLC is mulling a new alternate spot in southeastern Orlando as the potential location of the nation’s first air taxi hub. The final site is where Tavistock will lead the development of a 56,000-square-foot air taxi landing and takeoff facility. The vertiport, which will enable travel in a small passenger […]