Boca Raton, FL – Within the next five years, the Research Park at FAU will be well on its way to becoming the premier South Florida location for innovative technology businesses, according to an ambitious strategic plan released today by the Florida Atlantic Research and Development Authority, the governing body of the park.

The 94-acre park, located in Boca Raton on the north side of the Florida Atlantic University (FAU) campus and at a second campus on I-95 in Deerfield Beach, was established in 1985 and is already home to 26 mature technology companies working in conjunction with FAU, as well as a Technology Business Incubator with 21 startup technology companies.

“By maximizing connections to Florida Atlantic University’s growing research capabilities and promoting the Park as a leading resource for the research and technology communities in South Florida, we expect to grow into a top local, regional and national technology destination in the coming years,” said Andrew Duffell, president and CEO of the Authority. “A lot of people don’t know us yet, but that is going to change, and releasing this strategic plan is the first step toward achieving our goals.”

Highlights of the plan include:

• Building the brand for the Research Park at FAU as the only university affiliated research park in South Florida
• Strengthening collaborative partnerships with municipalities; county governments in Broward and Palm Beach; economic development organizations; chambers of commerce and at FAU
• Improving services and resources available to park tenants by expanding services and benefits flowing between tenants and FAU; increasing access to investment capital and economic development resources on the state and county levels
• Reaching out to the South Florida community by developing and publicizing new, entrepreneurial programs and events, highlighting tenant and FAU testimonials, and sharing research

“The Research Park at FAU will power the cycle of economic diversification and success for South Florida,” Duffell said. “We will work to ensure that entrepreneurs starting new technology companies, emerging companies and established development companies have the resources essential for their success. This will ensure that this region produces new, high-wage sustainable jobs.”

About Florida Atlantic Research and Development Authority (FARDA)
The Florida Atlantic Research and Development Authority is the governing body for the Research Park at FAU, including the main park in Boca Raton on the north side of the Florida Atlantic University campus and a second campus on I-95 in Deerfield Beach. FARDA was established by the Broward and Palm Beach county commissions to create and sustain research parks in both counties.

About the Research Park at FAU
Established in 1985, the 94-acre Research Park is home to 28 mature technology companies working in conjunction with the FAU College of Engineering and Computer Science, the FAU Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine and the FAU Adams Center for Entrepreneurship. The Research Park hosts the Technology Business Incubator with 25 startup technology companies, each of which receives business and consulting services, with the goal of becoming established businesses and permanent residents of the Research Park. Also located at the Park are the New World Angels, a structured investor group, and the Institute for the Commercialization of Public Research, a clearinghouse for technology transfer in Florida.