The Maritime and Defense Technology Hub is one year old! No matter which date you use to mark the milestone - lease, move-in, ribbon cutting - this is an achievement worth celebrating. The Hub is home to 21 organizations plus the Innovation District. These include small businesses, academia, government and nonprofits. All are focused on the maritime and national security sectors with a heavy concentration on technology. There are currently 58 employees who are based at the Hub, with an additional 63 who are part-time.
These individuals have taken their commitment to engage with the Innovation District and give back to the City seriously. They have hosted technology exchange events, participated in youth tours, donated classroom supplies, provided internships, and hired local talent.
Not so long ago, talent and innovation blossomed in an area just south of Downtown St. Petersburg. City officials and community partners wanted to leverage the capabilities of key institutions—USF St. Petersburg, Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, and the Poynter Institute, to name a few. The point was to foster collaboration and show our initiatives to the world.
We will host another Trolley Tour and Happy Hour on Friday, June 13th. You will board a trolley with other Innovation District partners and learn about the history and future plans for the area. This tour will feature stops at Albert Whitted Airport, Florida Institute of Oceanography, and The Dalí Museum. The tour will conclude back at the Hub with a networking happy hour.
April’s Tech X-change was a hit, thanks to an engaging presentation from Digital Twin Marine. Shoutout to all the Eckerd College students who joined us! The audience was curious and interactive, asking great questions and eager to try out the virtual reality headset.