Building Spaces That Drive Innovation

Innovation doesn’t happen by accident — it happens by design.

At the heart of the Innovation District’s vision is the creation of public and private spaces that actively spark collaboration — the true engine of innovation. These environments are intentionally designed to bring together researchers, entrepreneurs, students, healthcare leaders, technologists, and businesses in ways that accelerate ideas and transform them into impact.

‍

A Master Plan for the Future

On January 14th, the Innovation District reached a significant milestone with the publication of its Master Plan. This plan takes a holistic look across the District, aligning long-term growth with strategic priorities for science, technology, education, and economic development.  With the plan in place, now implementation begins.

‍

The prioritized projects identified in the Master Plan are moving forward in phases. Some initiatives will advance quickly, while others represent long-term investments that will take years to fully realize. Each project plays a role in shaping a more dynamic, connected, and resilient Innovation District.  We have created a project map to track our progress.  You can see the Master Plan and visit the first version of this map here.

‍

Celebrating Innovation in Action

Spaces spark collaboration.  A sample of the Innovation District collaborations were on full display at the 8th Annual State of Science and Innovation on January 28th.  The event brought together researchers, entrepreneurs, students, and business leaders to showcase the people and ideas driving discovery across St. Petersburg. From groundbreaking scientific research to emerging technologies and startup success stories, the evening highlighted the remarkable advancements shaping the city’s future.  You can watch the event video here.

‍

This year’s speakers included:

Dr. Cassandra Josephson, Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital

Dr. Nina Johnson, Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital

Dr. Steve Murawski, University of South Florida College of Marine Science

Scott Pickens, Northeastern University and The Global Resilience Institute

Andy Bennett, SubUAS

Alex Mahadevan, Poynter Institute

‍

Together, these milestones — the Master Plan and the State of Science and Innovation — demonstrate a clear trajectory: St. Petersburg is building the spaces, partnerships, and momentum necessary to lead in the next era of discovery.

‍

Alison Barlow,

Chief Executive Officer