Corridor aims to bring Lake business owners up to speed

Julie Garisto, Leesburg Daily Commercial
Updated ·3 min read
From left, Pam Rivas and George Asbate of Mega Properties, Eustis Mayor Michael Holland, Lake County Commissioner Leslie Campione, City Commissioner Nan Cobb, Vice Mayor Emily Lee, and UCF Business Incubation Program’s Rob Panpeinto cut the ribbon for the grand opening of the UCF Business Incubator/Mega Workplace in Eustis. Commissioner Gary Ashcraft was also in attendance.

If you're a Lake County-based business owner or an aspiring entrepreneur who feels left behind in the 21st century, take note: There are more opportunities to up your game in an increasingly tech-reliant world — most recently, thanks to a cash prize awarded by the Small Business Administration and the regional innovators receiving that windfall.

The coveted $150,000 in funds were awarded to an academic think tank and support system, the Florida High Tech Corridor (the Corridor), whose members work with Florida counties across the state. Most recently, their efforts have expanded into Lake County.

A brain trust of the University of Central Florida, the University of South Florida and the University of Florida, the Corridor received a stage two prize based on its success in Stage 1 of the Small Business Administration’s Growth Accelerator Fund Competition.

The organization's partners include the Lake Economic Area Development Partnership (LEAD), an organization that initiates collaboration and provides business opportunities in the Lake regional economy.

LEAD works in tandem with the Corridor, whose goal is to help small and medium-sized companies take advantage of services and support from the high-tech sector to help businesses evolve, grow and, in turn, provide job opportunities, explained Corridor chief strategist Amy Beaird.

But, wait. The flow chart doesn't end there. Beaird added that the Cenfluence Initiative is also part of their supportive shebang. Conceived by the Florida High Tech Corridor and various regional partners, Cenfluence fosters collaboration through groupings of companies or "industry clusters," including energy and environmental sciences, learning sciences and human performance, gaming and entertainment, life sciences, and the latest to join the pack, semiconductors.

"So, what we'll be doing is taking that proven Cenfluence framework and model, and bringing it into Lake to really kickstart and jumpstart services for high-tech companies in the region," emphasized Beaird.

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"We also help companies go after small business innovative research grants," she continued. "We do a needs assessment with each company to really understand what their barriers are, what gaps they might be facing, what's standing in the way of their success and what partnerships or talent they might need. Then, our team helps them to go after those resources, whether it's funding, talent or new partnerships, or whatever their needs may be."

The tendrils of the Corridor's beneficent octopus also include, somewhat indirectly, the UCF Business Incubator-Eustis, which had its grand opening last week.

Mega Workplace at 343 N. Bay St., Eustis, a UCF business incubator has 14 private offices range in monthly rent from $600 to $1,600 depending on square footage and window views.
Mega Workplace at 343 N. Bay St., Eustis, a UCF business incubator has 14 private offices range in monthly rent from $600 to $1,600 depending on square footage and window views.

Property owner Mega Properties revamped the building known as the Mega Workplace at 343 N. Bay St., Eustis, overseeing $300,000 in improvements. George Asbate, Mega Properties’ president, collaborated with UCF in the renovation, and Melissa McHaffie, owner of the Crafted Scent Bar, is the Eustis program's first member.

As with McHaffie, the UCF incubator will help businesses get off the ground by providing a variety of working spaces at different price points. Its 14 private offices range in monthly rent from $600 to $1,600 depending on square footage and window views. There are open desks for $125 per month and dedicated desks for $225.

The program's promotional material also claims to generate an average wage that is 45 percent above the average wage in the area.

"Part of our job is to connect the needs in the community with existing resources that are out there," said Beaird of the Corridor.

"We find, especially with the entrepreneurs we work with, that they don't know about the resources out there, and it's similar in the workforce. There are existing programs, but it's difficult sometimes for individuals or companies to connect with those opportunities."

Added Beaird: "We consider ourselves ecosystem builders."

This article originally appeared on Daily Commercial: SBA prize funds to enhance Lake's 'economic ecosystem'