The University of South Florida (USF) and the Florida High Tech Corridor have announced a partnership with the ARK Innovation Center in St. Petersburg, aiming to provide startups and entrepreneurs with greater access to research, innovation expertise, and talent from USF.
The ARK Innovation Center, which opened in early 2024 through a collaboration involving ARK Invest—founded by Cathie Wood—serves as a launchpad for early-stage companies working on technologies such as machine learning, energy, fintech, artificial intelligence, and blockchain.
USF’s Institute of Applied Engineering will establish a presence at the center alongside the Florida High Tech Corridor. The goal is to connect startups with university resources and facilitate collaboration between academia, industry, and entrepreneurs.
Becca Brown, president and CEO of the Tampa Bay Innovation Center based at the 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 at the center will have opportunities to participate in events and programming hosted by USF and the Corridor. They will also receive concierge services connecting them with USF faculty and departments such as USF Technology Transfer. Additional opportunities include student internships with USF and research partnerships through the Corridor’s Matching Grants Research Program.
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 Institute of Applied Engineering focuses on projects related to national security as well as dual-use technologies for government and civilian applications. Its new location at ARK places it near St. Petersburg’s growing maritime and defense sector.
Darren Schumacher, president and CEO of USF’s Institute of Applied Engineering commented: “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.”
The ARK Innovation Center was launched through cooperation among ARK Invest; Tampa Bay Innovation Center; Pinellas County; city of St. Petersburg; federal partners; providing mentorship; workspace; labs; coaching; access to capital for early-stage tech ventures.
This initiative follows other recent collaborations in Tampa Bay’s innovation landscape. In July 2025, USF became Embarc Collective’s first university partner under its University Partnership Program. In September 2025, USF signed an $85 million contract with the U.S. Army for research in cybersecurity, biotechnology, energy sciences.
USF also works closely with organizations like St. Petersburg Innovation District and Tampa Bay Wave on projects such as The Continuum—a $13.9 million NOAA Ocean Enterprise Accelerators grant aimed at addressing challenges affecting oceans and coastal communities through blue tech initiatives.
For more information about collaborating or accessing resources at ARK Innovation Center contact USF Office of University Community Partnerships.
