A groundbreaking discovery in a university laboratory may solve a scientific problem but turning that discovery into a successful company is an entirely different challenge. Researchers must determine whether customers actually need their technology, develop a viable business model, attract investors, and build the expertise and infrastructure needed to compete in the marketplace. Even promising technologies can stall somewhere along that journey.

After decades of helping researchers bridge the gap between discovery and commercialization, UCF is now bringing that proven model to a national stage.

Small U.S. businesses based in a variety of technologies that are seeking support to scale their reach can .

With a $20 million investment from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), UCF is leading the National Commercialization and Translation Institute (NCTI), a two-year pilot program designed to help late-stage federally funded technology companies make the difficult transition from validated technology to commercial success.

The effort has drawn support from more than 30 organizations across industry, academia, national laboratories and the innovation community. Samsung, Siemens, Lockheed Martin and L3Harris are a small sample of the industry leaders that submitted letters of support. Research and higher education institutions supporting the effort include UC Berkeley, the Florida High Tech Corridor, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and Sandia National Laboratory. Together, these organizations and others that will be brought into the mix represent the kind of national network NCTI aims to bring together to help promising technologies reach the marketplace.

How NCTI Will Support Small Businesses

Under the leadership of UCF’s experts, NCTI will build on that commercialization experience by studying companies that have progressed beyond the initial stages of research and development. Researchers will examine how different combinations of support, including capital investment, mentorship, training, prototyping and testing, and market validation, can most effectively accelerate commercialization.

“NCTI completes that pipeline rather than duplicating any part of it.” — Ivan Garibay, professor

UCF Professor of Industrial Engineering and Management Systems ’00MS ’04PhD, principal investigator for NCTI, will lead the institute. For more than 20 years, the UCF computer science alum has advanced research focused on modeling and simulating complex systems that combine social, technological, and economic factors. Through his previous positions at UCF, including serving as the Office of Research’s director of technology and innovation, Garibay has gained unique expertise on how to transform developments from the lab into real-world innovations.

Garibay says NCTI is designed to build upon existing federal research translation and commercialization programs by providing support at a later stage, when promising technologies have been developed but companies may still struggle to reach the market. NCTI also builds on another NSF effort Garibay has been leading at UCF since 2024, the Accelerating Research Translation program, which has strengthened internal processes at the university to enhance potential for developing viable business.

“NCTI completes that pipeline rather than duplicating any part of it,” Garibay says. “We coordinate the full continuum of federal resources, managing the handoffs from [the NSF] Innovation-Corps customer discovery through to commercialization support, so each company knows where it stands and what comes next.”

“Furthermore, the research study conducted in this effort will discover which interventions applied to enhance commercialization efforts of deep tech companies have the intended impact.” — Michael Georgiopoulos, CECS dean

, dean of UCF’s College of Engineering and Computer Science for over a decade, will also contribute expertise as a co-principal investigator for NCTI. Georgiopoulos is a seasoned researcher in electrical and computer engineering whose areas of interest include machine learning and neural networks. Georgiopoulos has also helped lead NSF-supported efforts focused on strengthening STEM education and student success — fueling a talent pipeline for future innovators and entrepreneurs.

“This is a great opportunity for UCF with its prior expertise with TIP (Technology, Innovation and Partnership) programs such as ART, I-Corps, Engines to bring together a national network of entrepreneurs, innovators, venture capitalists, subject matter experts, and other stakeholders to help deep-tech companies with proven technologies to successfully commercialize their efforts and attain the expected impact that their technologies are destined for,” Georgiopoulos says. “Furthermore, the research study conducted in this effort will discover which interventions applied to enhance commercialization efforts of deep tech companies have the intended impact.”

Enhancing a Commercialization Ecosystem

Over time, UCF has steadily expanded its efforts to help faculty researchers move discoveries beyond the laboratory, from establishing the UCF Business Incubation Program in 1999 to taking leadership roles in major economic-focused NSF initiatives.

�� ’96MS ’96MBA ’05PhD, a professor of industrial engineering and management systems, has been involved in many of these efforts. He founded the UCF Business Incubation Program, which Time magazine recently named the No. 17 on its inaugural America’s Best Incubators and Accelerators 2026 — and the top ranked traditional business incubator in the country.

“The notion now is bringing all these disparate tools together to help an engineer or a scientist get the training, processes, and tools that they need to transfer that technology into something beneficial to society.” — Thomas O’Neal, professor

“The whole notion is to build a robust ecosystem at the ����ֱ�� to help us get technology out of the laboratory and into the marketplace,” O’Neal says.O’Neal also serves as the co-principal investigator for UCF’s NSF Innovation-Corps (I-Corps) program, which launched at UCF in 2014 as the first NSF-sponsored economic effort at the university. Through the program, researchers undergo a structured customer-discovery process that helps them evaluate the market for their technology and ultimately reach what O’Neal describes as a “go or no-go” decision about pursuing commercialization.

“It is a formal process that helps engineers and scientists transfer their technology into viable business opportunities,” O’Neal says.

UCF is also strengthening the broader infrastructure surrounding research commercialization through NSF ART, which O’Neal is a co-principal investigator on.

“We were really siloed before,” O’Neal says. “The notion now is bringing all these disparate tools together to help an engineer or a scientist get the training, processes, and tools that they need to transfer that technology into something beneficial to society.”

Expanding Tech Focuses and Business Insights

That commercialization experience at UCF also extends to the Florida Semiconductor Engine, an NSF-funded initiative led by UCF Galloway Professor of Management , a co-principal investigator of NCTI.

“Some of the most critical factors include sufficient capital investment, clarity on customer need, business savvy and focused leaders, and the discipline to execute.” — Ron Piccolo, professor

“The Florida Semiconductor Engine is charged with translating and commercializing promising technologies in the semiconductor domain,” Piccolo says. “I am hopeful that we can support similar efforts in adjacent technologies. … NCTI extends the university’s portfolio of programs that support entrepreneurship, technology development and market readiness.”

As an NCTI co-principal investigator, Piccolo will draw on his experience as a business scholar to help develop and execute the institute’s research plan. His work with the Florida Semiconductor Engine will also help connect NCTI with a national network of NSF Engines spanning critical technology areas, including energy, textiles, quantum computing, critical materials, semiconductors and natural resources.

Determining why some promising technologies become viable companies while others do not will be a central part of NCTI’s research.

“Some of the most critical factors include sufficient capital investment, clarity on customer need, business savvy and focused leaders, and the discipline to execute,” Piccolo says.

Ready to Grow Your Business?

NCTI supports a select group of NSF-funded U.S. small businesses (NSF-funded SBIR and STTTR Phase II and Phase IIB companies) at the later stages of deep technology research and development — such as AI, biotechnology, quantum computing and other fields — ��through funding, mentoring and connections, paired with individualized support that includes diagnostic triage, a commercialization plan, dedicated mentor teams and curated introductions to customers, investors, industry and national laboratories.

Small businesses across America based in a variety of technologies that are seeking support to scale their reach can .

Versa Drives, which recently received global recognition by DuPont for its exemplary performance and dedication to energy sustainability, will incorporate the UCF-developed fan blade design into its award-winning Superfan series of ceiling fans. Marketed as India’s first super-efficient ceiling fan, Superfan uses less than half the power required by a conventional fan to deliver the same or greater air flow.

“We are excited about the opportunity to combine this energy efficient fan blade design with our super-efficient fan motors and drives—it’s a winning combination,” said Sundar Muruganandhan, managing director, Versa Drives. “As a company, we are committed to��energy saving and green products—right down to the recyclable materials we use for our packaging. Adding this UCF-developed aerodynamic blade technology to our Superfan series will significantly enhance energy savings and open the door to new, international markets.”

FSEC is well-recognized within the industry for its research and development of energy-efficient building technologies, hydrogen research, renewable energy technologies and its innovative ceiling fan blade technology. The FSEC-developed Gossamer Wind® series of ceiling fans—which offer 40 percent higher airflow with no additional energy use—feature the prestigious Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star designation for energy efficiency. Through several licensing agreements, more than 1.9 million Gossamer Wind® ceiling fans have been purchased, saving consumers more than $20 million annually.

The average ceiling fan using 25 – 100 watts is in operation 6-12 hours or more each day.�� Thanks to advances in motor, drives and blade technologies, energy efficient ceiling fans can run on lower power consumption using only 4 – 40 watts and enhance overall air circulation. With improved air flow, these fans also allow consumers to adjust their cooling thermostats to more efficient settings.

“UCF’s Florida Solar Energy Center is on the forefront of energy research developing some of the most advanced technologies,” said Thomas O’Neal, Ph.D., associate vice president of UCF’s . “Companies such as Versa Drives recognize the groundbreaking work being conducted right here in Central Florida and are looking to the Florida Solar Energy Center for continued innovation and energy savings.”

The license agreement with Versa Drives was executed through the UCF .

Photo: Celebrating the licensing agreement were (seated L to R), Thomas O’Neal, UCF and Sundar Muruganandhan, Versa Drives, along with members of UCF’s Office of Technology Transfer (standing L to R) Andrea Adkins, Narasimha Nagaiah (Raju), Durgasharan Krishnamurthy, Versa Drives, Svetlana Shtrom, and Shan Venkatachalam, Versa Drives.

Versa Drives Private Limited (VDPL) is a Coimbatore, India-based company specializing in custom designed motor control solutions for Original Equipment Manufacturers and super-efficient appliances. The company features a highly experienced team of engineers who understand the requirements of its customers to develop variable frequency drives and BLDC motors & drives using state-of-the-art design and simulation tools. VDPL is ISO 9001:2008 certified for design and manufacturing of super-efficient motors & drives and appliances.�� Versa Drives has manufactured and supplied more than 100,000 drives to date that are working in the field. For more information, visit & superfan.in

The first community affiliate to offer the acclaimed National Science Foundation’s (NSF) I-Corps Lean Startup program to high-growth entrepreneurs in Central Florida is Starter Studio.

Starter Studio was launched by Gregg Pollack, founder of Envy Labs and Code School, as a passion project to help tech startups in Orlando thrive. Starter Studio provides education, mentorship, legal and financial resources, networking opportunities, and the right culture to help innovative solutions grow.�� Ninety-day accelerator classes are offered for aspiring tech startups.�� Currently, the third class is preparing for graduation.

“The partnership with UCF gives our Starters additional support to grow their new venture.�� Participating in the UCF I-Corps program opens up the opportunity to apply for the National NSF I-Corps program as well as SBIR/STTR grants,” said Pollack, founder of Starter Studio.

As a Community Affiliate, organizations such as Starter Studio, will receive training and support from UCF on delivering a tailored version of the Lean Startup education, as well as access to software and other tools for providing the various program elements.

“We are pleased to have Starter Studio as our first Community Affiliate.�� This is the first step towards our goal of offering this proven program through a premier network of affiliates to university researchers and technology entrepreneurs throughout the region,” said Ivan Garibay, program director for UCF I-Corps.

Local area entrepreneurs selected for the program, receive I-Corps seed grant funds along with other legal and financial services offered by the Community Affiliate.�� The I-Corps funds are applied to business, market, or early product prototype development.���� UCF was awarded the NSF I-Corps grant in November 2014 for a three year timeframe.�� Plans are in process to support the program through the network of affiliates beyond the period of the grant.

“This is an example of UCF as ‘America’s Partnership ����ֱ��’.�� We have shown that contributing like this to the entrepreneur ecosystem in Central Florida benefits the entire economy through increased high-wage jobs and wealth creation”, added Thomas O’Neal, founder/director of UCF I-Corps and the.

Meanwhile, Starter Studio is preparing for its on April 14th where each team from its accelerator class will showcase their work.

Teams include:

For more information about UCF I-Corps, please visit or contact Ivan Garibay at ivan.garibay@ucf.edu or via phone at 407-882-1163.�� Information about Starter Studio visit .

The secretary made the announcement during a press conference at UCF and praised the university for having a comprehensive plan for taking ideas from the research lab to market. UCF was one of 26 institutions to receive a total of $10 million from the department, and one of only two universities to earn both i6 Challenge and Cluster Grants for Seed Capital Funds.

“This achievement is a recognition of the university’s leadership in using innovation and commercialization to help Central Florida recover from the downturn in this region’s manufacturing sector,” Pritzker said.

She described UCF’s approach as well-developed and deserving of both grants.

“This is an exciting day for UCF, the region and the state,” said Thomas O’Neal, associate vice president of the Office of Research and Commercialization at UCF who has led UCF’s I-Corps project, which is one of the reasons UCF was named a winner of both grants. “We are working with partners and industry to make Central Florida an epicenter for innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship. UCF has had much success through a variety of programs in helping some of our students and community members take great ideas through the commercialization and marketing process. These grants will enhance our ability to help more future entrepreneurs across five counties.”

The counties are Orange, Seminole, Brevard, Osceola and Volusia. Building on the resources developed at UCF over the past 15 years, the i6 grant will support the university’s new I-Corps project’s “Proof of Concept Center,” where talented engineers from the five counties hardest-hit by changes in the local economy can translate new products – like technology for stronger and quicker prosthetic limbs – into businesses.�� The commerce grant is for $500,000 with another $500,000 in matching funds.

The center’s mission will be supported by a second $249,933 grant for UCF’s StarterCorps Seed Fund, which will deploy early-stage capital into innovative technology and advanced manufacturing startups across Central Florida.

This program addresses the gap in seed funding for local entrepreneurs – which is considered one of the largest barriers faced by startups around the country, and Central Florida’s tech startups are no exception.

UCF I-Corps helps teams of innovators go through all the necessary steps before taking an item to market and uses the College of Engineering and Computer Science Maker Spaces created with generous industry partners at UCF to help them through idea, design and prototyping. O’Neal estimates that in the fifth year of the program 195 companies will be created, producing 1,730 new high-wage jobs through the Maker Spaces teams.

The Economic Development Administration’s Seed Fund Grant will be used to raise, deploy and manage a $5 million evergreen StarterCorps Seed Fund that will be deployed in innovative technology and advanced manufacturing startups in Central Florida. Specifically, StarterCorps will provide the most promising and high potential teams access ��to incremental rounds of seed funding that will be critical in maturing these “Starter” teams into companies that are attractive to angel groups, early-stage venture capitalists and federal SBIR – Small Business Innovation Research agencies.

Starter Studio is a three-month program that surrounds technology entrepreneurs (called “Starters”) located in the Canvs co-working space in downtown Orlando with a curated educational program, constant exposure to successful technology startup founders, and the opportunity to pitch their companies in a well-attended Demo Day showcase event. Starter Studio, which was organically funded with a Kickstarter campaign, had 64 teams apply from which thirteen were selected.

The $10 million awarded Monday nationwide comes from the Commerce Department’s Regional Innovation Strategies (RIS) program, which is being run by the Department’s Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (OIE). The program is designed to advance innovation and capacity-building activities in regions across the country through three different types of grants: i6 Challenge grants, Cluster Grants for Seed Capital Funds, and Science and Research Park Development Grants. Secretary Pritzker announced the recipients of the��first two��funding opportunities today. Recipients of the third grant will be announced in the coming weeks.

GrowFL companies account for nearly 14 percent of the top 500 Florida companies and 11 percent of the top 5000 Florida companies on the fifth annual edition of the list.

“This is an impressive affirmation of the quality level of the companies that we assist,” said Tom O’Neal, associate vice president for research and executive director of the Florida Economic Gardening Institute, which oversees the GrowFL program.

“These are the companies that are making a difference in the new economy,” he said.

Jacksonville-based ��A. Harold & Associates, ranked 36th on the list, is the top-ranked Grow FL company.�� A. Harold, which provides technology, education, engineering and training support services to governments and others, grew 5509 percent over the last three years, and recorded�� revenue of $10.9 million.

GrowFL offers business resources to help second-stage companies grow to the next level.

A Harold & Associates CEO Andy Harold credited GrowFL with providing management consulting services in marketing, future growth areas and technology.�� He said the individualized ��support for a small business would be out of reach if it were not for the GrowFL program.

Inc. reports that in a stagnant economic environment, the median growth rate of 2011 Inc. 500|5000 companies remains 94 percent. The companies on this year’s list report having created 350,000 jobs in the past three years, and aggregate revenue among the honorees reached $366 billion, up 14 percent from last year.

Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found at www.inc.com/5000.

The GrowFL program, which helped 300-plus companies in Florida create more than 3,200 new jobs statewide since November 2009, offers a suite of services including business strategy review, market research and competitive intelligence, internet/social media strategy, and search engine optimization.�� ��

The Florida Economic Gardening Institute at the ����ֱ�� was established in 2009.�� Initially funded by the Florida Legislature, the Institute has provided services via the State of Florida’s Economic Gardening Technical Assistance Pilot Program, known as GrowFL.�� With various partnerships throughout the state, including Orange County and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council, the Institute collaborates with statewide partners to support the growth of second-stage businesses through localized entrepreneurial ecosystems.�� Additional information is available at .

Other GrowFL companies represented in the rankings include A+ Tutor U (Kimball Companies), Alinean, American Home Companions, Atlantic International Distributors, Avalex Technologies Corporation, Bari Furniture, Bit-Wizards, Cosmetic Solutions, Engineering & Computer Simulations, H2 Performance Consulting, Health Designs, IMS ExpertServices, Infinity Technology Solutions, Innovative Data Solutions, Moore Consulting Group, Moten Tate, MyGreenBuildings, ReStockIt.com, Telovations, That! Company, Total Medical Solutions and��Wireless City.

����ֱ��’s Thomas O’Neal will be testifying Thursday, July 14, about the revolutionary nature of nanotechnology before the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Science and Space.

The Subcommittee is part of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. Committee Chairman, John Rockefeller IV invited O’Neal to provide his expert testimony as the group considers reauthorizing the National Nanotechnology Initiative . Sen. Bill Nelson will preside over the hearing, which begins at 10 a.m. in room 253 of the Russell Senate Office Building.

O’Neal, the associate vice president of the Office of Research and Commercialization at UCF, is the founder and executive director of the well-known UCF Business Incubation Program. He was asked to speak about how UCF has succeeded in technology transfer, industry partnerships and the overall impact on economic development.

“Central Florida is in many ways a model for how governments, the university and industry can work together to grow the companies that stimulate the economy,” O’Neal said. ��“The committee is interested specifically in how research in nanotechnology can be developed through systems like ours.”

O’Neal is president of the Florida Business Incubation Association and serves on the board of directors for the National Business Incubation Association. He is a leading U.S. proponent of business incubation and economic gardening efforts to stimulate local economic growth.

O’Neal, who’s led UCF’s incubation efforts for the past decade, calls nanotechnology a revolutionary field of science and technology, comparable to the introduction of electricity, biotechnology, and digital information revolutions.

Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Incubation Program has helped more than 200 emerging companies (including 108 current clients) create more than $500 million in annual revenue and more than 900 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With nine facilities across the metro Orlando community, the Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development between UCF, Orange County, the City of Orlando, Seminole County, the City of Winter Springs, the City of Sanford, Lake County, the City of Leesburg, the City of St. Cloud and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council.