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, expanding opportunities for startups and entrepreneurs to access university research and innovation resources.
The ARK Innovation Center, which opened in early 2024 through a collaboration between ARK Invest—founded by Cathie Wood—and other local partners, is designed to support early-stage companies working on technologies such as machine learning, artificial intelligence, fintech, energy solutions, and blockchain.
As part of this initiative, USF’s Institute of Applied Engineering will establish a presence at the center. This move aims to connect startups with academic expertise and provide pathways for student internships and research partnerships. The collaboration also includes concierge services that link entrepreneurs with USF faculty and departments like USF Technology Transfer, which manages the university’s intellectual property portfolio.
Becca Brown, president and CEO of the Tampa Bay Innovation Center based at 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 have access to events and programs hosted by both USF and the Corridor. They can also participate in the Corridor’s Matching Grants Research Program aimed at fostering research collaborations.
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 strengthens ties between USF’s Institute of Applied Engineering—which specializes in projects related to national security—and St. Petersburg’s growing maritime and defense sectors.
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.”
In addition to this latest partnership announcement, recent months have seen increased collaboration among Tampa Bay innovation organizations. In July 2025, USF became the first university partner in Embarc Collective’s new University Partnership Program; in September 2025 it signed an $85 million contract with the U.S. Army covering areas such as cybersecurity and biotechnology; while work continues alongside groups like St. Petersburg Innovation District on federally funded ocean tech initiatives.
For more information about collaborating or accessing resources at ARK Innovation Center contact USF Office of University Community Partnerships.
