UF Innovate | Accelerate has announced its two business incubators, Sid Martin Biotech and The Hub, have received an official “Soft Landings” designation from the International Business Innovation Association (InBIA) for supporting international companies moving to Florida.
“UF Innovate’s incubator program will make an excellent addition to the InBIA global network of Soft Landings certified entrepreneurship centers,” said Charles Ross, president and chief executive officer for the InBIA. “UF Innovate | Accelerate is a super hub for entrepreneurship in the region and the range of services offered to support international entrepreneurs will provide significant opportunities for enterprises seeking to enter the U.S. market.”
Sid Martin Biotech and The Hub, united under the UF Innovate | Accelerate program, ensure that businesses entering or expanding into the Alachua or Gainesville area receive an accelerated introduction to American business practices, regulations, and culture. The program will make business connections for international companies more quickly and efficiently while providing access to the resources necessary to meet their business goals.
“Receiving this Soft Landing designation is simply the latest in a long and globally-prestigious list of achievements for UF Innovate | Accelerate, and the City of Alachua is proud to have played a part in this accomplishment,” said Mike DaRoza, city manager of the City of Alachua. “A significant part of our City Commission’s Strategic Plan is prioritized on developing and implementing strategies to enhance, cultivate and maintain relationships in our community’s biotechnology and life sciences sector.”
Only 20 entrepreneurship centers have this designation internationally. The City of Alachua generously sponsored UF Innovate’s application and designation in this exclusive network.
“This most-recent recognition not only exemplifies the world-class efforts of UF Innovate | Accelerate, but also the fruit of our Commission’s shared vision and commitment to this industry in our community. The positive impact of this designation on local economic development and the advances of the world’s bio and life science field is almost impossible to quantify.”
The InBIA is a global network of incubators, accelerators, and entrepreneurial support centers that support the building of entrepreneurial-driven economic ecosystems. It has developed a global network of Soft Landings-designated centers that have been validated through a rigorous application and peer-review validation process. A Soft Landings designation recognizes entrepreneurship centers that excel in supporting foreign companies interested in international expansion.
“UF Innovate | Accelerate’s Soft Landing designation will tell entrepreneurs worldwide that Alachua County is open for business,” said Karl R. LaPan, director of UF Innovate | Accelerate. “This designation will support the growth of our entrepreneurial ecosystem and the hometown team. We are grateful for the City of Alachua’s support and continuing to make this the place to grow your business.”
