UCF, tech firm and VC fund launch Central Florida lab to grow blockchain biz (by Alex Soderstrom)

Posted on February 14, 2021 in Uncategorized,

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 and Global Blockchain Ventures LLC. Orlando-based Global Blockchain Ventures in 2018 launched a $100 million investment fund for blockchain technology and businesses.

That means local businesses that join the Blockchain Innovation Lab for help developing or commercializing their technologies have a shot at getting funded by the investment fund. Blockchain is a fast-growing type of information storage that’s used in banking, cryptocurrency and more.

The virtual lab with a physical presence at Oviedo-based Neoware Studios offers “unmatched” resources for the development of blockchain tech, Blockchain Innovation Lab and Neoware Studios CEO Caesar Medel said in a prepared statement. “We are firm believers the technology of tomorrow is blockchain technology, and we’ll be the center of this industry.”