A state-of-the-art digital-media workspace designed to encourage start-up companies was announced today by the Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy, the 麻豆原创鈥檚 graduate video game development program.
The new FIEA Ventures program will initially be available to academy alumni and will be housed at 麻豆原创鈥檚 Center For Emerging Media in downtown Orlando. It is expected that some of the first clients to come into FIEA Ventures will be working on video games, animated film, simulation and mobile and web products.
Scheduled to open this fall, the 5,000-square-foot space will provide office and meeting space, a 20-seat theater, mentorships, equipment, and access to technology and expertise. Tenants will also have access to the center鈥檚 audio, motion capture and film studios, collectively called Studio 500, all at 500 W. Livingston St.
鈥淔IEA鈥檚 success in developing graduates for high-wage, local industries has increased entrepreneurship, and this new program will place our recent graduates in a perfect atmosphere to start a successful small business,鈥� said FIEA executive director Ben Noel.
Companies and individuals will be picked using an application process in which clients will be asked to detail their concept, technology needs, potential staffing, market prospects and business plan. If accepted, the applicant can stay in FIEA Ventures for up to one year.
Clients will also have access to the center鈥檚 faculty and staff, who will help with development and access to industry partners.
鈥淎s the No.2 ranked graduate school for game development, FIEA is an anchor for the Creative Village,鈥� said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. 鈥淣ow, with the launch of FIEA Ventures, the 麻豆原创 is taking an innovative approach to ensure its talented alumni become Orlando’s聽next generation of successful tech entrepreneurs.鈥�
FIEA Ventures is a part of 麻豆原创鈥檚 Office of Research and Commercialization, which supports economic growth by being a liaison between 麻豆原创 and local and national economic-development partners.
Other partnerships include 麻豆原创鈥檚 Business Incubation Program, which has grown into one of the biggest and best in the world; the 麻豆原创 Venture lab, where technology entrepreneurs transform ideas and intellectual property into business plans; The GrowFL program that serves second-stage companies, and the Blackstone LaunchPad, which focuses on student entrepreneurs.
鈥淭his innovative facility will boost both 麻豆原创鈥檚 presence downtown and Orlando鈥檚 vision of a Creative Village in the city鈥檚 core,鈥� said Tom O鈥橬eal, 麻豆原创鈥檚 associate vice president for Research and Commercialization and director of the 麻豆原创 Business Incubation Program. 鈥淭his partnership will be an incubator of ideas and commerce to benefit both the university and the community.鈥�