Innovation Council Launched By Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast

Florida Tech professor Dr. Abram Walton is founding chairman of the Innovation Council

EDC formed the Innovation Council to support a culture where innovation and collaboration can happen

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – The Space Coast could just as aptly be called the Innovation Coast, given the interest and nurturing given to rising stars in the business world.

“We love the major players in the space industry, but we are also fertile ground for the next generation,” said Brian Baluta, the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast’s vice president of communications and partner relations.

It may best-kept secrets that the Space Coast enjoys one of the most industry-diversified economies in Florida and that the area actively cultivates innovative startups, but the word is rapidly getting out.

Dr. Abram Walton, professor at Florida Tech’s Nathan M. Bisk College of Business, directs the university’s Center for Innovation Management & Business Analytics and is the founding chairman of the Innovation Council launched by the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast, a private, not-for-profit coalition of business leaders building a better Brevard through economic development.

“The EDC formed the Innovation Council to support a culture where innovation and collaboration can happen,” said Dr. Walton.

The EDC supported the recent Space Coast Pitch Challenge, the first locally funded and produced event of its kind in the area. The event, which helped more than 37 companies raise more than $60 million in capital, was orchestrated by Groundswell Startups. The EDC was one of the first supporters of the Melbourne-based incubator.

“The partnership between Groundswell Startups and the EDC has enabled us to accelerate the growth of our ecosystem and provide key resources to the companies we support,” said Jarin Eisenberg, Groundswell chief operating officer.

“They have time and time again proven to be a go-to resource for supporting emerging technologies and startups on the Space Coast. It is through their partnership and advocacy of the startup ecosystem that we are able to continuously form new relationships with key stakeholders that help us surround our founders with the best resources possible on the Space Coast and beyond.”

Dr. Walton’s connection with the EDC and the International Standards Organization(ISO) has also proven critical in the development of a culture of innovation in Brevard.

The Florida Tech campus was the site of the latest ISO 56000 Innovation Management World Congress, hosted by Florida Tech and the Center for Innovation Management and Business Analytics. It was the first time the Congress was held on U.S. soil.

Setting a firm base is crucial for innovation to flourish.

“Standards create the foundation for successful innovation,” said Dr. Walton.

Groundswell-based startups such as SwiftPaws® reflect the ingenuity of local entrepreneurs in meeting niche needs.

A decade ago, recent college grad Meghan Wolfgram was looking for a play outlet for her pup, Pretzel, who loved nothing more than a good chase. A lure course would keep Pretzel very, very happy, but the cost of the available equipment–$4,000 at the time–did not make Wolfgram happy at all.

With the help of her father, she designed a home version of the professional-quality equipment for a tenth of the cost. The product is so unique that Wolfgram was given the “golden ticket,” together with $240,000, on Season 13 of the television hit, “Shark Tank.”

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