The University of South Florida (USF) and the Florida High Tech Corridor have announced a partnership with the ARK Innovation Center in St. Petersburg, aiming to strengthen connections between startups, entrepreneurs, and academic research resources.
The ARK Innovation Center, which began operations in early 2024, was established through a collaboration involving ARK Invest—a global asset management firm led by Cathie Wood—alongside the Tampa Bay Innovation Center, Pinellas County, the city of St. Petersburg, and federal partners. The center focuses on supporting early-stage companies working on technologies such as machine learning, energy solutions, fintech, artificial intelligence, and blockchain.
USF’s Institute of Applied Engineering will now have a presence at the ARK Innovation Center as part of this initiative. This move is expected to facilitate collaboration among academia, industry leaders, and entrepreneurs.
Becca Brown, president and CEO of the Tampa Bay Innovation Center, said: “Our partnership with USF’s Institute of Applied Engineering and the Florida High Tech Corridor brings world-class research and applied innovation directly into the ARK Innovation Center. Together, we’re creating a living lab where academia, industry and entrepreneurs collaborate to turn breakthrough ideas into real-world impact. We are thrilled about this partnership.”
Startups based at the center will be able to participate in events and programs hosted by USF and the Corridor. They will also have access to services connecting them with USF faculty members and research centers—including USF Technology Transfer—and opportunities for student internships or research partnerships through the Corridor’s Matching Grants Research Program.
Paul Sohl, CEO of the Florida High Tech Corridor, stated: “Partnering with the ARK Innovation Center aligns with the Corridor’s mission to advance innovation across our 23-county region. This unique center, in the heart of one of Florida’s most dynamic innovation hubs, is a launchpad for collaboration between inventors, entrepreneurs, researchers and industry leaders who are coming together to solve problems and shape the future.”
The new location places USF’s Institute of Applied Engineering closer to St. Petersburg’s growing maritime and defense sector. The institute works on specialized projects related to national security as well as dual-use technologies for both government agencies and private contractors.
Darren Schumacher, president and CEO of USF Institute of Applied Engineering said: “Our collaboration with the ARK Innovation Center is about accelerating defense innovation from concept to capability. By linking the Institute of Applied Engineering’s applied research and prototyping expertise with ARK’s entrepreneurial and technology ecosystem, we’re strengthening the pathway for dual-use solutions that serve both national security and commercial markets. This partnership reflects Tampa Bay’s growing role as a hub for mission-driven innovation.”
USF has recently expanded its regional partnerships; it became Embarc Collective’s first university partner in July 2025 through a new University Partnership Program. In September 2025 it signed an $85 million contract with the U.S. Army for research covering cybersecurity, biotechnology, and energy sciences.
In addition to their work at ARK Innovation Center, USF and Florida High Tech Corridor regularly collaborate with other local organizations such as St. Petersburg Innovation District and Tampa Bay Wave. One notable project is The Continuum—a $13.9 million grant-funded effort from NOAA Ocean Enterprise Accelerators program aimed at addressing oceanic challenges via Blue Tech | X Accelerator initiatives.
For more information about collaborating or accessing resources at ARK Innovation Center, interested parties can contact USF’s Office of University Community Partnerships.
