INNOVATE® Jacksonville by Sven Boermeester

VOLUME 1

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JACKSONVILLE InnovationsoftheWorld.com

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“The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but building on the new.” - SOCRATES

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PUBLISHER'S FOREWORD We are passionate about innovation in our community and take any opportunity to bring light to its rich tapestry of stories. So, for us, it was a no-brainer to bring the Innovate series to Jacksonville. We were incredibly excited to discover and collect the success stories in the community and to highlight the thought leaders making a difference here. Seeing how intertwined innovation and innovative minds are over different focus areas is critical to the collective growth and success of any city, and for Jacksonville with its geographic size, the community itself may have blind spots and not realize what amazing companies and leaders are part of their same city. Between the Beaches, Downtown, San Marco, and Southpoint (just to name a few), each segment has their own stories to tell.

When we started on this journey, we learned very quickly that there were so many companies we didn’t know about. To that end, this is an evolving, invigorating process that we hope to continue into a next volume (don’t worry - it won’t be until 2022...). This book reflects the early adopters - those fearless companies and leaders eager to embrace change, share their stories, and work tirelessly to make Jacksonville a better place. We hope this book reflects a foundation of those who are making a difference in our community as well as identifying the great strides we will make going forward. Without further ado...

Ever your champions,

Camille Wilson & Fernando Dutra Wilson Dutra Innovation Law

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The “INNOVATE® Jacksonville” Team would like to give a special thanks to all the participants and the following companies for their support and assistance in making this project a reality.

Meet the people that are building a better Jacksonville for tomorrow

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INNOVATE® JACKSONVILLE: A MULTIMEDIA EXPERIENCE AND MORE.”

SVEN BOERMEESTER - FOUNDER/CEO, INTERNATIONAL GROUP PUBLISHER Sven Boermeester - Founder/CEO, International Group Publisher with Callie Van Graan, Global Village COO

INNOVATE® Jacksonville showcases the best of Jacksonville’s innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem. Embedded in its pages, you will find augmented reality videos that accompany nearly every feature, and when you use the free GLOBAL VILLAGE AR app, the world of the future will open up before your very eyes.

Jacksonville ecosystem, and who play or want to play an active role in its growth and development. This inaugural edition of INNOVATE® Jacksonville is just part of a global series. We are currently launching volumes in cities throughout the GlobalVillage.world publishing partnership network.

But “INNOVATE® Jacksonville” is far more than a tech-enabled publication; it is a multimedia experience centered around the deluxe hardcover coffeetable book you are now holding, which includes AR videos and also an online web platform and multilevel social media networking. Online, the full e-book will be viewed in the millions through the InnovationsoftheWorld. com online library.

By experiencing INNOVATE® Jacksonville, you are part of our Global Village network, and we are happy to have you. I trust you will join us as we continue the journey of the INNOVATE® series. Sven Boermeester Founder/CEO International Group Publisher

This publication aims to celebrate those involved in the Jax ecosystem, but it is also meant for all business leaders and decision-makers who can effect change in their industries throughout Europe and throughout the world. We publish INNOVATE® Jacksonville for the open-minded folk who want to know more about the exciting changes that have recently transpired in the

Belinda Van Graan CMO

Meghan Tear Percy Managing Editor

Sarah Nieman Production Manager

Peter Batistich Art & Design Director

JR Giggs Web Development Partner

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08 26 38 50 68 CHAPTER ONE

THOUGHT LEADERS

CHAPTER T WO

CHAPTER THREE

FUTURE CITIES

ASSOCIATIONS & ENTREPRENEUR ORGANIZATIONS

CHAPTER FOUR

EDUCATION

CHAPTER FIVE

IOT & DATA SCIENCES

128 136 152 162 174 CHAPTER ELEVEN

HOSPITALITY SERVICES

CHAPTER T WELVE

FOOD & BEVERAGE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

MARKETING & ADVERTISING

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

MEDIA

Global Village CEO Sven Boermeester Global Village COO Callie Van Graan

InnovationsoftheWorld.com

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

EVENTS

Production Managers Gia Bishoffberger Sarah Nieman Anita Naidoo

Global Village CMO Belinda Van Graan

Research & Selection Camille Wilson Fernando Dutra

Managing Editor Meghan Tear Percy

Global Village CDO Fahmida Seitz

Publishing Partners Wilson Dutra Innovation Law Camille Wilson Fernando Dutra

Global Village CFO Kern Wilson

Project Manager Belinda Van Graan

info@globalvillage.world www.InnovationsoftheWorld.com www.GlobalVillage.world

Art & Design Director Peter Batistich: Deep Fried Designs

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C O N T E N T S

76 92 100 112 120 CHAPTER SIX

HEALTHCARE

CHAPTER SEVEN

SOCIAL & COMMUNITY

CHAPTER EIGHT

SERVICE INNOVATIONS

CHAPTER NINE

PRODUCT INNOVATIONS

CHAPTER TEN

ARTS & CULTURE

190 198 208 218 226 CHAPTER SIXTEEN

FUNDERS, INCUBATORS & ACCELERATORS

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

HUMAN RESOURCES

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

LEGAL & PROFESSIONAL CONSULTING

CHAPTER NINETEEN

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION CONSULTING

CHAPTER T WENT Y

INNOVATIONS OF THE WORLD

IT’S A KIND OF MAGIC...

DOWNLOAD THE GLOBAL VILLAGE AR APP TO VIEW 100 AUGMENTED REALITY VIDEOS IN THIS BOOK! To experience the future of print, download the Global Village AR App from the IOS or Android App stores. Open the App and hold it about 30cm above any page that contains an image with the “play” Icon.

Make sure your back camera is pointing at the page. Click the Play button that appears onscreen and immerse yourself in the latest updated content with reference to that page.

Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in The ‘Innovate Jacksonville’ vol 1. Neither ‘Innovate Philadelphia’, nor Global Village assume any responsibility for errors or omissions. All rights reserved: No part of this publication shall be reproduced, copied, transmitted, adapted or modified in any form or by any means. This publication shall not be stored in whole or in part in any form in any retrieval system.

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“I skate to where the puck is going, not where it has been.” – WAYNE GRETZKY

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PREPARING ENTREPRENEURS FOR EXPLOSIVE GROWTH. JIM STALLINGS, CEO, PS27 VENTURES What is your vision for startup culture in Jacksonville? I believe Jax will become a first-tier city for entrepreneurs. We’re well on our way; there’s tremendous momentum and interest. We have all of the basics in place. We’ve been gifted a great natural environment that is a great place to live, and an economic environment that makes it affordable for entrepreneurs with families. We’ve got a reputable university network, with growing national reputations. And finally, we have right in our backyard the beginnings of a biotechnology nexus. We see a growing tech community beginning to evolve as well.

How did you get started with PS27 Ventures? Soon after I retired from IBM, I was approached by a local entrepreneur about investing in their startup, which I did. But a few meetings in, I realized I was never going to get my money back unless I helped this company. So I started meeting with them on a regular basis. We helped them build their budget, we hired a team, we found an office, we made the first sale. It was a lot of fun to see the team go from an idea on paper to a real business. That’s how we got going. That has become PS27.

What is PS27 now? PS27 is a key resource for entrepreneurs across the Southeast. We’re a source for capital and unique entrepreneurial training. We have an extensive network of partners, mentors, and investors. We also have created a process for scaling companies and preparing them for explosive growth. We connect them to specialized accelerators and investors to raise capital.

What is the biggest mistake that entrepreneurs make? Most entrepreneurs initially struggle to explain how their solution solves a problem and know who their customer really is. They put their eye on the investor and do not pay attention to the customer. Many also are focused on getting big fast, instead of making a product that people actually want—and which makes money.

What character traits do you look for in a founder? The most important character trait I look for is adaptability. Everything changes when you get funded, when you get customers, and when you begin to scale. So I ask, “Is this the kind of person who is able to adjust and change their strategy as their company grows?”

What innovations do you think will disrupt business in the future? Well, I think artificial intelligence is going to disrupt every business. As computers can take on more work that humans used to perform, it will change what humans do. I also think virtual reality will change how work is performed by humans. We will be able to create virtual environments where you’ll be able to perform work just like in a real environment. And biotechnology solutions will change life itself.

7835 Bayberry Road | Jacksonville, FL 32256 JimPS27 ps27ventures.com 10

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AI TECHNOLOGIES REALLY DELIVER VALUE. THEODORE R. WILLICH, CEO, NLP LOGIX NLP Logix teaches computers to do what humans can do or want to do. They automate. This means that at NLP Logix, they teach machines to do almost any repetitive business process that humans do, to help humans to do things faster and better. The company harnesses the power of computers and artificial intelligence to tap into a wide variety of industries, including education, financial services, healthcare, human resources, energy, government, and more. In addition to delivering custom automation solutions to its clients, NLP Logix has developed four artificial intelligence–powered products: Matchpoint automates the sourcing of candidates for jobs for staffing companies. Scribe Fusion allows people to extract information from a form or document far better than traditional Optical Character Recognition. Artificially Intelligent Collections is a suite of machine-learning algorithms that scores the probability that a consumer will pay a debt. WiseEye AI is a subsidiary of the company and teaches computers to read medical imagery at or above human levels. Staff members remain at the top of their game by combining both talent and tools. With a dedicated team of software engineers, statisticians and machine-learning experts, the company has proven that data science is a team sport and, hence, their working environment is highly cooperative.

It is a great opportunity to have a front-row seat and watch the acceleration of AI technologies really deliver value—and not just hype—and to have Jacksonville be an epicenter for AI in the United States is the icing on the cake. Theodore R. Willich, Chief Executive Officer of NLP Logix Ted has more than 20 years’ experience founding and leading high-growth companies. Previous to NLP Logix, Ted was co-founder and COO of MDI, a startup in the medical services industry that grew from zero to over $100 million in annual revenues over the course of 18 years.

CONTACT@NLPLOGIX.COM NLPLOGIX

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TECH TALENT COLLIDING WILL UNLOCK THE FUTURE. MATTHEW KANE, GREENSHADES SOFTWARE I’ve been living in Jacksonville for over 20 years. This city has seen many changes in that time, and the pace of that change continues to accelerate. The tech community here has consistently outperformed that growth, but I often think about some of the pillars that built the tech community, as well as the new upstarts of the recent past, as the real special sauce of Jacksonville. The challenge with Jacksonville is the physical size. We are the largest city by acreage in the continental United States. This offers many advantages for innovation, like space and very reasonable rent. The disadvantage is the lack of inadvertent collisions between people. A few years ago, I was part of an unnamed group of tech and city leaders, who were interested in accelerating tech in Jacksonville. We identified multiple key initiatives. Infrastructure was one issue, which resulted in attracting Google Fiber and being named as one of AT&T’s first 5G cities. Workforce development was another, which resulted in formation of the STEM2 Hub. The STEM2 Hub helped make Jacksonville one of the faster-growing regions in the US for Lego Robotics.

those places, simply because I was interested in making a difference. Many of the city’s luminaries and multigenerational leaders could not have been kinder or more inclusive. I decided to pay it forward. Over a six-month period, I bought lunch at least once a week for someone in the tech community, just to meet them. Each person I met, I asked who else they knew in the tech community that I did not, and then asked them for introductions. More than once, I would have lunch on a Wednesday with one person, who desperately needed to know the person I had lunch with just two days earlier, and I was excited to connect them. I also learned the stories of many of the local tech pioneers and successful tech exits of the past. Just as interesting were the current entrepreneurs in the early stages of their development. I discovered pockets of connectedness with certain MeetUp groups, as well as the diaspora of earlier exits that brought parts of their teams to their next enterprise. After a short time, I realized that the only barrier here was our physical size as a city, and that there wasn’t a single person I met that I didn’t enjoy, and who wasn’t willing to help others.

It also attracted millions of dollars in government and foundation grants, brought Code.org and countless other programs to the elementary school curriculum, which will continue to make a massive impact on the tech workforce over the coming decades. However, it was the last issue this group tackled that was the most rewarding and the most fun, which was how to connect the tech ecosystem with so much space between us. At the time I was a well-networked business person in Jacksonville. I was on all the right boards, part of the key organizations, and close to certain politicians. I was also one of the few technology people in those circles. One unbelievable advantage Jacksonville has always had is its welcoming and inclusive business culture. When I came here, I hadn’t gone to any specific school, wasn’t related to any special person, but this city welcomed me into

My advice to all aspiring tech entrepreneurs and innovators is not to wait the many years I did before reaching out to your tech compatriots. There is an enormous amount of collective wisdom, skill, brilliance, capital, energy, focus, and most of all inclusiveness in our tech community. Don’t be foolish and not make the effort to connect with all of it.

Matt Kane is a serial entrepreneur and angel investor. He is a founder, board member, and former co-CEO of Greenshades Software (HR/Payroll software). Matt is also founder, board member, and former CEO of Welltality (preventative medicine software). He is a founding board member of the STEM2 Hub and has been a board member for local nonprofits, including Jacksonville University, Jacksonville Children’s Commission, Teach for America Jacksonville, Jacksonville Civic Council, and Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce.

+1-904-225-5516 mkane@greenshades.com mattkane2 matthew_kane matthew.r.kane greenshades.com 12

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IMPOSSIBLE MEANS WE JUST HAVEN’T FOUND THE SOLUTION YET.

KATHLEEN SCHOFIELD, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, THE STEM2 HUB

I really enjoy reading quotes. I find them to be so inspirational. I especially love reading the quotes that people use as their tagline on their email. I think that we can learn so much about the way a person views the world by the quote that they select. My email tagline and my (current) favorite quote is “impossible means we just haven’t found the solution yet.” I frame everything I do through the lens of that quote.

This is why I am so personally committed to my work at the STEM2 Hub where our mission truly speaks to the heart of our efforts. Our mission: We convene, inspire, and invest in the STEM2 field by providing the essential missing elements to accelerate the growth of STEM2 education and careers. To accomplish our mission, we work across all areas of the ecosystem, from the classroom to the superintendent’s office; from coding on the carpet with kindergarteners to bringing HoloLens and other mixed-reality technologies to schools serving our most atrisk students; from mentoring a group of girls in IT to advocating for education policies that will empower schools to do the right work to create future ready students.

I was a Clay County teacher, then a district science specialist, and finally a district administrator in the area of STEM education. In that capacity, I developed robotics programs in most of our 42 schools and helped bring coding to our region through my relationship with Gary Chartrand and the STEM2 Hub. As that work grew, I knew that I could have more impact if I moved to a different role serving the community.

I have a deep belief that technology has the potential to level the playing field for our children because so many of these tools are so new that no one specific group has all the advantages yet. But that promise will change quickly, and technology could become the greatest social divider without people like me waking up every day committed to making sure that nobody is left out.

I now have the privilege of leading the Northeast Florida STEM2 Hub. I work in the space between the needs of the corporate communities for talent and the school systems that fill the demand. I work as a disruptive agent, thinking through a systems lens and working toward a common vision. I am a connector, looking around the community pulling all the pieces together so that we develop a well-functioning STEM ecosystem where partners work together instead of in silos to bring the very best experiences for all our stakeholders. Especially our students.

To access all students, we must work through our schools, informal learning spaces, and with our partners who are providing after school and summer programs. Every school needs to be empowered to offer high-quality computer science courses, robotics programs, rigorous math and science classes, that include application through immersive problem-based learning opportunities. Students should learn about artificial intelligence, machine learning, the physics of computing, and big data applications. The ability to synthesize knowledge and use it to solve a unique problem is the most critical skill that kids will need to be successful in the world that they are going to live in. I won’t rest until all children have these opportunities, and they are seamlessly infused into the school day. Once that occurs, we will really begin to see equity.

When I think about our Northeast Florida ecosystem, I am struck by challenges that we will face together due to new technologies and automation. The workforce implications are enormous, and the talent needed to fill the job just simply is not available. The impact that artificial intelligence and machine learning will have—is already having—is tremendous. The implications of virtual and mixed reality will change the workforce and medical fields in ways that we have not even begun to imagine. As the jobs of the future are rapidly changing, we are obligated to keep our eyes looking forward, so that we make sure our students are prepared.

I think by working together in STEM ecosystems, we can accomplish these things. We must partner and bring our best to the table. Whether it is your talent, your funding, your time—serving as a thought partner, advocating for policy or mentoring kids, we can only accomplish the best for our city and our region by working together. We are making a difference, by disrupting the system and changing the status quo. What inspires you? Your favorite quote? Call me. Get involved!

But there are implications beyond just the world of work. As exciting as I find these technologies, I simultaneously take a step back and wonder what new problems will be created that we will need to solve. And I wonder who will solve them. Our children, of course. So, we owe it to them to create stronger pathways and insist on excellence.

STEM2 Hub

kathy.schofield.5

Science | Technology | Engineering | Mathematics | Medicine

Kathleen@stem2hub.org | stem2hub.org | kathleen-schofield-90a7b119 | _KathySchofield

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PEOPLE HAVE ASKED ME WHY I STARTED ESPERO BIOPHARMA IN JACKSONVILLE WHEN THERE IS NO INDUSTRY AND FEW TALENT LOCALLY. QUANG PHAM, FOUNDER, CHAIRMAN & CEO, ESPERO BIOPHARMA Here are the reasons. Few American cities of any size are home to so many facilities, among them Ackerman Cancer Center, Baptist Health, Brooks Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic, Memorial Hospital, Nemours Children’s Clinic, St. Vincent’s HealthCare, University of Florida (UF) Health Jacksonville, UF Health Proton Therapy Institute, and Wolfson Children’s Hospital. Few offer so many top programs, from cancer treatment, cardiac health, and advanced rehabilitation therapies to dialysis, pediatrics, bariatric surgery, family medicine, key medical research projects, and much more. A thriving biopharma industry and research and residency collaborations with the University of Florida and other research institutions would catapult the area to national attention. There are many factors in successfully developing prescription drugs for global use, especially ones to treat cardiovascular diseases. The intersection of drug development is where innovative science meets patients in clinical trials and under medical care at one of our many fine facilities in Jacksonville. We named our company Espero because it means hope. And that’s what we seek to provide to every patient who takes our innovative cardiovascular medicines. Hope for improved health, hope for a better tomorrow. A company has to be the first in this area, so it may as well be Espero. Never let any precedence get in the way of innovation! Quang “Q” Pham has served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer since he founded Espero in 2014. Espero has a robust cardiorenal clinical development pipeline, including tecarfarin (FDA Orphan Drug Designation and Phase III-ready for End-Stage Renal Disease with Atrial Fibrillation), budiodarone (third Phase II-ready for atrial fibrillation), and DURLAZA® (prescription extended-release aspirin). Espero was also twice named by the Jacksonville Business Journal as the fastest-growing company in Northeast Florida. Quang also founded Lathian Systems, an innovative company that provided online data and marketing services to pharmaceutical and biotech companies. He raised venture capital and corporate funding for Lathian, grew the business, and led its eventual sale to D&R Communications in 2012.

14286-19 Beach Blvd., #270 Jacksonville, FL 32250 esperobiopharma.com

After serving as a Marine Corps pilot in the Persian Gulf War, Quang began his pharmaceutical career. He is a published author and holds a BA in Economics from the University of California, Los Angeles. He has received the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year®, BioFlorida’s Entrepreneur of the Year, and was named a Veteran of Influence. Quang currently serves on the boards of directors of Espero, Westwood Therapeutics, Volunteers in Medicine, and BioFlorida.

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JTA, PURSUING MOBILITY INTEGRATION. NATHANIEL P. FORD, SR., CEO, JACKSONVILLE TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (JTA) Innovation is at the heart of everything I do as the CEO of the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA), and something I expect my teams to integrate into all their initiatives. Being innovative means being bold—taking risks and toppling the traditional ways we’ve operated as providers of public transportation. My industry is in the middle of the most transformative period since the automobile began to replace the horse-drawn carriage at the turn of the last century, and the successful agencies will be the ones who’ve already recognized and adjusted to this shift. I’ve shifted our mindset at the JTA from being just a provider of public transportation to Mobility Managers. I call this the new mobility paradigm—a mentality that requires us to evolve faster by integrating and overseeing a holistic, efficiently connected transportation network comprised of public and private sector services. It’s a mindset that’s led us down the path of being the first public transportation authority in the US to develop an autonomous vehicle network for public transportation that we’ll deploy in a busy downtown, or using this new technology to eventually serve college campuses, medical complexes, and neighborhoods. This risk-taking behavior and passion is something I’ve seen from the private sector my entire career. I watched Uber upend the traditional taxi industry in the San Francisco Bay area a decade ago; and watched as micro-transit providers identified holes in the services offered by public transportation authorities and launched their own alternatives. Part of being innovative is recognizing how to develop partnerships to supplement your services more cost-effectively. Through this approach, we’ve replaced expensive JTA services by connecting with the private sector, which can cover certain geographic distances more affordably than we can as a government agency. We do this to enhance mobility for everyone, not just our customers. In the 21st century, customers have higher expectations. They want intuitive mobile apps to purchase fares and to be able to board and move through various modes of transportation with ease. They expect the data they share with us to be private. They demand excellence. So we’ll keep innovating—whether through the autonomous vehicle program, bus rapid transit, the largest in the Southeast, better route optimization of our traditional services, and by using a robust business intelligence unit to identify trends and head off potential challenges from the start. We will be the flagbearer for innovative mobility solutions in Jacksonville— not just because it’s trendy or headline-grabbing—but because it’s the right thing to do to make our community a better place to live and an easier place to travel.

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CONNECTING SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED COMPANIES WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO DO BUSINESS WITH LARGER CORPORATIONS. CARLTON ROBINSON, VICE PRESIDENT, JAX CHAMBER ENTREPRENEURIAL GROWTH DIVISION An opportunity at the JAX Chamber arose in 2012 and I knew it was time to make the move. I started at the Chamber as the Senior Director of the Entrepreneurial Growth Division (EGD). Over time we began to notice that there was a gap between the EGD’s general business training and actually preparing our business owners to work with larger companies. That’s where JAX Bridges comes in. Launched in July 2014, it’s a program of the JAX Chamber’s Entrepreneurial Growth Division and we designed it to connect small and medium-sized companies with opportunities to do business with larger corporations; as well as to provide targeted entrepreneurial education support. Most of our small businesses, they’ve been so focused on delivering a product and executing in their business. But in order for them to grow, there are a wide range of activities in which they need to be engaged. Ultimately, we’re creating a culture of commerce. The program educates entrepreneurs. It creates “many-to-many relationship access” for both vendors and suppliers. We leverage entrepreneurial tools, unique learning strategies, and corporate relationships to deliver on our value proposition. At the end of the JAX Bridge’s Cohort 8, the group presented me with a wooden tree with many branches. One-by-one the members of the cohort hung a leaf on the tree and shared how they had been impacted by the program. Those firsthand stories showed me how broad the program’s reach is. If I could, I’d tell my younger self to stay focused on being a hero for someone. If you do good work and follow your passion, you’re going to impact people that you don’t even know.

After working in financial services for 10 years, I decided to leave and start my own business. I built on my strength of providing quality training and focused the business on building learning-management systems. I spent seven years building systems for small and large companies.

In 2018, I completed a master’s degree at Penn State focused on building entrepreneurial networks. I’m constantly on the move to learn more and be part of the continuous loop of innovation.

3 Independent Drive Jacksonville, FL 32202 +1-904-366-6600 info@myjaxchamber.com JAXChamber myjaxchamber.com 16

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CULTURE IS THE VOICE OF THE CITY. JAMARIO STILLS, FOUNDER, PHASE EIGHT THEATER COMPANY I believe that dissatisfaction is a creative state. Innovators embrace this belief. Breaking tradition to pave new paths for their industry. Dissatisfaction inspired Thomas Edison’s incandescent light bulb and Henry Ford’s production of the automobile. They knew their ultimate purpose. The passion they had propelled the most exciting advancements in the world. My passion is rooted in the performing arts. I studied theatre at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts and subsequently graduated from The Juilliard School’s Drama Division. After college, I performed in nationally recognized Regional Theaters. I was in awe of the creative and communal ecosystems surrounding the performances. It inspired me to create a similar institution for my hometown of Jacksonville, Florida. I founded Phase Eight Theater Company with the intention to become Florida’s next great Regional Theater. Phase Eight strives to push the boundaries of performance with innovative and provocative storytelling. Our diverse ensemble of actors and writers represent the unique voices of our region. Jacksonville’s rich tradition of theater motivates our company to elevate our artistry to national acclaim. The vision of a podcast network was born from observing local influencers exchanging their thoughts and ideas on social media. They’d discuss an array of matters ranging from art to business. I expressed to my partners, Heather Moore and Tim Driscoll, the idea of creating a podcast network hosted by these social engineers. We formulated a strategy and ECPN was launched. The hosts invite guests that represent their show’s theme. Gaining intimate insight about what guides these professionals has had an impactful effect on our listeners. Jacksonville’s community of filmmakers are incredibly talented in expressing their creativity through the lens. I noticed locally produced work being shared online. After watching these movies, I shared them with WJCT Studio CEO, David McGowan. He was supportive in piloting ECPN as a WJCT radio program. McGowan’s encouragement for a local film platform generated the creation of Ville Films. With WJCT’s support, Ville Films is slated as an upcoming showcase of local shorts for their television platform. The theme of these ventures is my connection to my hometown. I walk in the paths of Jacksonville greats such as James Weldon Johnson, Eartha White, and Robert Lee Hayes. These pioneers, along with many others, devoted their lives to lifting every voice of Jacksonville. Phase Eight, Essential Culture Podcast Network, and Ville Films are catalysts to continue the tradition of sharing our story.

Phase8theaterco ESSENTIAL CULTURE PODCAST NETWORK

phase8theater@gmail.com | PhaseEightTheaterCompany phaseeight.org

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FORCURA’S INNOVATION CENTERS ON IMPROVING OUTCOMES FOR PATIENTS.

CRAIG MANDEVILLE, FOUNDER & CEO, FORCURA That’s it. And if everything we do in between that leads to that, then we’re providing true value. My wife used to work for a home-health agency, facilitating patients discharged from the Mayo Clinic who were going into post-acute care. She was faxing things back and forth; there was no data, and transferring the patient from one service to another is already a huge risk in their care. I thought, “I can solve a lot of this.” I made it my mission to automate these processes and provide true interoperability from acute and ambulatory care into post-acute care so that all documentation is available upfront and in real time. Transparency like that can save lives, and it’s one of our core values at Forcura. We’re very much a goal-driven organization, and we have those goals on monitors all over our office. We publish our revenue, our client satisfaction— you name it, it’s up there. Everyone knows when things are good and when things are off-track. I have found that to be very rare in most organizations. But when people understand exactly what is off-track, they can rally and make really good, informed decisions to fix things. We’re also very open with our customers and our partners. We can build new and exciting prototypes and betas for their specific needs, and with their feedback, we reiterate and we go back out. That is how we innovate and build the right products for our customers. Starting out as an entrepreneur, I wish someone had told me to get a mentor or multiple mentors. This can be the loneliest job, even as CEO. When you seek out others who are local and who have done that, you will be so surprised at how much they want to give back and help. They can validate the direction you’re going, but they can also steer you away from a glacier. Entrepreneurs think—and I was in this mindset, too—“I’ve got the greatest idea, and I’m not going to tell anyone about it,” because of a fear that someone may steal it. I’ve seen entrepreneurs hunker down in a cave and build a product and not even showcase it until they think it’s perfect. To me, that is the opposite way of how you do this. If you’ve identified a gap and whitespace, build out a simple prototype and go show it to who you think are your customers. Let them tell you what it is and what’s wrong with it, take that feedback, make iterations, and then go back out. I’ve seen a very high degree of success for those who follow that loop, compared to those that go the other track. I truly believe that Jacksonville is a hidden gem in the southeast corridor of the US. For anyone who’s talking about the city, it’s one of my life goals to make sure they can say, “If you’re looking for tech innovation in the Southeast, Jacksonville is the place you need to be.”

+1-800-378-0596 Forcura forcura.com 18

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A GLOBAL FIRM OF HUMAN RESOURCES EXPERTS. AMY MCGEORGE, FOUNDER & MANAGING PARTNER, PEOPLR Amy McGeorge is the founder and managing partner of Peoplr, a global firm of human resources experts who deliver excellent consulting services that drive business results. McGeorge has more than a decade of experience in executive search and 25+ years’ experience leading HR consulting engagements for large companies like Best Buy, AT&T, CSX, Sears Holdings, Kraft, and Time Warner, as well as more than 50 early-stage and growth companies across North America and Europe. During her nearly 20 years collectively as an executive at Citigroup, Hewitt, and a global software company, Amy McGeorge oversaw the hiring of more than 10,000 people. “I grew up in Grand Rapids and East Lansing, Michigan. I graduated from Alma College with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and business; I also earned the Diplome de Langue from the Alliance Française in Paris, France. I started my career in management consulting at Hewitt in Chicago. Early on, I learned how to build relationships with people. My father was an attorney and managing partner of a small law firm and we regularly hosted parties and dinners at our house. My mother was an English teacher early in her career and later became a licensed psychologist. So I learned a lot about how to talk to people and build rapport from watching both of my parents engage with clients and colleagues.” She began her consulting work at Hewitt, where she led large projects and served as managing consultant for one of the firm’s largest clients. In addition to HR expertise, Amy brings significant executive experience to her consulting engagements: she served as a C-level executive at Citigroup, where she was chief operating officer (COO) of the bank’s $100-million employee benefits business unit, and as COO of Vurv Technology, where she directed all aspects of the software company’s global operations prior to its sale to Taleo (NASDAQ:TLEO). Her specialty is proprietary technology that helps employers get clear on what they want in a new employee. “It’s about asking the right questions,” McGeorge says, adding that her corporate background has helped. “I couldn’t do it if I didn’t have that background. It helps me understand where a CEO is in that life cycle and what kind of person they need. The great thing about doing business in Jacksonville is that, conceptually, it’s small enough that you can know people and be known, but big enough that you can still discover new people and new things every day. It’s a great time to come to Jacksonville and be part of the growth story. It’s also pretty easy to break into the local entrepreneurial scene—we’re all supportive of each other in so many ways. My authentic Jacksonville is with water all around—the ocean, a tributary behind my home, and our amazing river; it allows me to recharge and find perspective.

“‘Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.’ This quote by Confucius was true back then, and it still is today,” says McGeorge.

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WANDER HAS EFFECTIVELY BECOME VISITORS’ GO-TO RESOURCE FOR WHERE TO EAT, DRINK, SHOP, AND PLAY.

KATE STRICKLAND, FOUNDER, WANDER MEDIA COMPANY When visitors arrive in destinations like Nashville, Las Vegas, or Boston, they know exactly what to expect. Whether it’s the music, the nightlife, or the culture, these epicenters of travel and tourism always deliver. Jacksonville, however, is slightly different. With business travelers representing nearly half of the total hotel rooms sold each year, many people arrive with no understanding of the area’s features or benefits. While some of this can be attributed to the smaller number of travelers the market sees on an annual basis, the lion’s share is due to the ongoing identity complex from which Jacksonville has long suffered. Is it urban, or is it coastal? Is it deep south, or is it the new north? Is it culture and arts and history, or is it beaches and boats and bridges? In the fall of 2015, with 15 years of hospitality experience under my belt, I sought a way to not only answer these questions but to support the travel and tourism industries by clarifying what Jacksonville is and refining visitors’ options to ensure they have the best possible experience while they’re here. I wanted a way to communicate with them in a meaningful way, all without leaving the comfort of their hotel room. But how? The answer was not so simple. First, a team of engineers had to develop the technology that would allow our exclusive, original video content to be delivered directly into the central television systems of hotels and resorts. Then, a talented crew of producers, writers, videographers, and on-camera personalities would have to create compelling, impactful video content that would entertain, inform, and inspire. It had to be where advertising form and function collide—the right medium, told to the right audience, in the right way. When Wander first went on the air in the spring of 2017, we knew we had accomplished something special. This little television channel was not only supporting the hotel and resorts’ concierge efforts and driving demand for locally owned businesses, but it was also wildly entertaining, and visitors couldn’t get enough. Today, Wander airs in more than 50 hotels, resorts, and visitor centers throughout the region, and it is viewed by more than two million travelers every year … and counting. By telling captivating stories and featuring the dynamic personalities that call this region home, Wander has effectively become visitors’ go-to resource for where to eat, drink, shop, and play. We’re part content creators and we’re part demand drivers, but our business is that of storytelling. Wander is poised to air in markets outside of Jacksonville and in industries beyond conventional tourism. However, Jacksonville is my home, and it’s an honor to tell its story to those who want to hear it the most. 450-106 SR 13 North, #430 Jacksonville, FL 32259 +1-904-479-6640 wanderjacksonville, wanderameliaisland, wanderstaugustine, wandergoldenisles wanderjacksonville, wanderameliaisland, wanderstaugustine, wandergoldenisles wandermediacompany.com 20

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DRIVE BREAKAWAY RESULTS THROUGH ‘MICROINNOVATIONS.’ SARA FRASCA, VICE PRESIDENT, INNOVATION ENABLEMENT, PLATYPUS LABS The concept of innovation can be completely overwhelming. Images of Edison inventing the lightbulb or Henry Ford revolutionizing manufacturing push the idea of innovation outside the reach of us mere mortals. If we define innovation as a gigantic, change-the-world, curecancer type of breakthrough, the concept is relegated to a select few: billionaires, mad scientist inventors, CEOs, and super-geniuses. Yet the vast majority of human progress is crafted differently. In fact, it’s the little creative shifts—what we refer to as micro-innovations—that most often carry the day. These mini innovations can be subtle, but add up to significant results en masse. A fresh way of conducting your weekly sales meeting. Reimagining the physical layout of your shop floor. A modern twist to the format you use to conduct job interviews. A novel way to manage a customer complaint. A new item on the menu. The folks at Proctor & Gamble were fighting hard to gain a share of the $7 billion detergent market. Instead of inventing some revolutionary magic serum, they used a small packaging change to win big. Tide Pods were launched to allow customers to drop a small pod in the wash rather than pour from a messy bottle. This micro-innovation led to stunning success; over $500 million of revenue in the product’s first year. While game-changing breakthroughs are glamorous, small acts of “everyday innovation” are the stuff of greatness. Too often, we put the weight of the world on our shoulders and believe we only have two choices: a) worldshifting innovation or b) do nothing. With that kind of pressure, it’s no wonder that most of us restrict our creative output. On the other hand, micro-innovations are accessible to us all. Each of us—regardless of role, tenure, age, or title—has the ability to develop creative solutions that lead to real progress. In this sense, innovation becomes a daily habit rather than a big, scary, overwhelming phenomenon. We all can be innovators, not just those in lab coats or with fancy degrees. Take a look at your daily work, whatever it may be. While disrupting your entire industry may be daunting, ask yourself what little creative twists could make a small difference. Apply creative wonder to your product or service, production, culture, sales and marketing, recruiting, customer experience, and internal processes. While micro-innovations may not land you on the cover of a magazine, they can absolutely fuel your performance. Not to mention, they’re tremendously fun. View your work through the lens of an artist, looking to add just a little splash of creativity to even the most mundane tasks. Remove the burden to develop gigantic “aha!” moments of brilliance, and focus on a high output of micro-innovations. Each change or twist may be small, but your results over time will be anything but puny.

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BRINGING INNOVATION PARTNERS TOGETHER. MARC BLUMENTHAL, CO-FOUNDER, SYNAPSE FLORIDA; PARTNER, FLORIDA FUNDERS

making these people, companies, and resources more visible and using our events, challenges, and digital tools to find and connect with the ones who can help you grow your business. We’ve already demonstrated that by working together the rising tide really is lifting all boats. Synapse events change the way innovators come together to educate, inspire, and celebrate our successes. Synapse Summit has become Florida’s premier innovation event, hosting more than 5,500 people from across the state and the globe in 2019. Synapse Orlando launched with tremendous success in October 2019, as 1,200 people filled the more than 30 sessions and spent the day making meaningful and intentional connections. Synapse has also traveled across the state supporting local events like eMerge Americas in Jacksonville. Synapse Challenges are igniting the innovation ecosystem and fueling the talent pipeline, as hackers and makers from coast to coast participate in solving real-world problems. Like designing a chatbot so that Metropolitan Ministries can help the homeless and hungry in urgent need who reach out on social media. Or the juniors at Florida Polytechnic University, whose solution to a blockchain challenge resulted in an unexpected prize: a job. Or the enthusiasm from SunTrust Bank Foundation, Guidewell Florida Blue, and others that launched Synapse Challenges in 2019 because they see the value they have for their own companies and for inspiring the innovation community.

“Together we are shaping our own destiny. Together we are demonstrating that ‘Innovation Lives Here.’” It is hard to believe that it’s been three years since the launch of Synapse. Every day since then has been a validation of our mission: to connect Florida’s innovation communities in a meaningful, purposeful way. As I’ve traveled the state I’ve seen firsthand the passion and creativity that have created an incredible tapestry of innovation and opportunity in Florida. The proof lies on every page of this book.

Synapse Connect continues to become the primary online space for innovators to quickly curate meaningful connections, reducing the degrees of separation between what you have and what you need. This platform will continue to expand enabling the incredible number of people, organizations, and resources to find and be found, think Match.com meets Netflix purpose-built for Florida’s innovation communities.

Florida has a lot to celebrate: a population growing by nearly 2,000 people per day; business-friendly laws that support innovation; research institutions producing innovation ready for commercialization; some of our country’s best universities and colleges with hundreds of thousands of students ready to build their careers; innovation in industries from biotech to cybersecurity, from manufacturing to virtual reality, from space exploration to e-gaming; and a growing cadre of serial entrepreneurs who continue to reinvest both by building new businesses and by paying it forward as mentors to the next generation of entrepreneurs. Major companies and organizations have invested hundreds of millions of dollars to build manufacturing centers, innovation spaces, Fab Labs, wet labs, and simulation centers available to innovators and entrepreneurs, hackers and makers.

We are so thankful to the enthusiastic and generous community that has come together to make the Synapse movement possible. The companies and community partners that have stepped up to be on the Synapse Impact Board represent our most passionate advocates and important leaders that will shape our movement’s future. But, this is only the beginning. We still have work to do. Synapse is building bridges—in person and online—connecting innovation communities, shrinking the state, and making resources visible and accessible, turning the vastness of our geography into our greatest asset.

Individually, these are great resources. Together they are a powerful engine of growth. In so many ways, Florida has more to offer innovators and entrepreneurs than most anywhere else in the country. The challenge is enabling the talent and resources anywhere in the state to easily find each other.

Florida is one of the best places to build a life, career, and company. Together we are shaping our own destiny. Together we are demonstrating that “Innovation Lives Here.”

Synapse is meeting that challenge by bringing innovation partners together within a thoughtful framework. We are building a community that enables these resources to collaborate and accelerate success across our state by

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BUILDING THE COMMUNITY, ONE CONNECTION AT A TIME. BRIAN KORNFELD, CO-FOUNDER & PRESIDENT, SYNAPSE Why does connectivity matter? Simply, connectivity creates opportunities, which breeds success. The more you can find help and support, the less you have to rely on serendipity and hope. This puts you in the driver’s seat for opportunity. This matters to the entire community as we continue to hear the narrative in Florida that connectivity is challenging and holding us back from becoming a powerhouse innovation ecosystem. There are actions that we all can take to help connect each other which in turn will provide the necessary connectivity for Florida to continue its upward innovation trajectory. This information is not top secret and you don’t need a security clearance; I can share my successful path and hope it helps you along yours. I have built my network under the single hypothesis of offering value and asking for nothing in return. While this approach may seem backwards, I find it to be the best path to success. By helping others without expectations, people are more apt to trust my intentions. There are no subliminal desires in my “why”—but to keep a strong focus on helping our community. There are many other schools of thought here, none of which are wrong. Often, people will value numbers in networking over depth and personal relationships. Others will try to find a mutual exchange of value. I’ll scratch your back if you scratch mine. Some people just take from others, tossing aside connections when the value is no longer present. Finally, there are the self-contained bunch, who prefer to work solo. As more leaders step up in the Florida innovation community, let’s think about the bigger picture. Reassess your connections and ask yourself what you expect to get and what you expect to give. The more you give, the more valuable your connections become and the more you can grow as a leader. When you take that lead, you encourage others to do the same, thereby creating a more connected community and a stronger Florida. At Synapse, we encourage a strong community approach to our state. We firmly believe that the rising tide lifts all boats. If we can all work together selflessly, we all can make a difference for our generation and those to come. Think about the degrees of separation that can be closed if you say yes without any questions. Think about your colleagues and how they may benefit. Think about the next time you need that favor who may be there to help. One strong, connected state of Florida will help to organize us and make us the best place to start and grow a business.

“I have built my network and connections under the single hypothesis of offering value and asking for nothing in return.” Over the last year, I have been asked time and time again about my story: where I came from and why nobody knew my name. While the long answer involves transitioning from life as a rocket scientist to the President of Synapse (a 501(c)(3) working to connect and organize the innovation community of Florida), the heart of the story comes back to the connections I’ve made.

I truly believe that if everyone in this community takes the unselfish approach: be the provider of value, we will see stronger leaders, greater connections, and a more unified ecosystem. With this approach, we will all drive more support and build wider networks. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to see that strong connections lead to success, but linking to one on Synapse Connect won’t hurt either. brian-kornfeld-mba-53613030 synapseFL | synapsefl | synapsefl

| therocketmanbk | synapseflorida synapsefl.com

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HERDING CATS & CODERS This is not a book for programmers. This book is for those who have to work with programmers and programming teams to get software built for their businesses.

Most people responsible for software projects are CEOs, marketing directors, project managers, and entrepreneurs. Not being on the same page as your development team leads to poor products, cost overruns, and project failures. Herding Cats and Coders will put you on the same page as the techies. This is the perfect book for a non-technical manager, whether working with an outside developer, a development team, or an agency. And to avoid boring you to death by turning this book into a dry, technical treatise, I’ve kept things lighthearted—and irreverent at times. If you are a non-technical user or manager who either works with developers or plans on engaging with software engineers to build something, Herding Cats and Coders will help you succeed. gregrossmunro gregdrm

Get it on Amazon today!

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DISRUPTING THE GLOBAL BOOK BUSINESS

SVEN BOERMEESTER, FOUNDER, CEO, INTERNATIONAL GROUP PUBLISHER, GLOBALVILLAGE.WORLD How is the commercial book publishing world being disrupted? Some clients joke with us that we are bringing back a dying art form as books are cool again. The business model however has changed completely, gone are the days of pay to play by selling advertorials or advertising. A great book on an ecosystem or industry needs to be authentic and all encompassing of all the major players sharing their story, not just who ever paid to be in there. To finance that we moved to a crowd funded book buying model where the market and the participants buy the books in bulk to use as gifts to clients, visitors, investors and employees. You also need to add technology to the printed book by embedding augmented reality videos into its pages, we do that by hiding QR codes behind the images that a mobile phone can read to activate a video. The books also need to be available online as ebooks, a blog and ultimately a forum where all the participants can communicate with each other. How do you set up your business in new cities and countries? We look for skilled marketing professionals in each city that know their community well and form 50/50 partnerships with them where they collect the stories and we design and print book. We are a fast growing tribe of fun and energetic publishing entrepreneurs, partners and friends. We all share a passion for innovation, beautiful places and cultures that we want to embrace, share and showcase with the rest of the world. We are always looking for marketing entrepreneurs to join our team, please reach out to me on LinkedIn or info@ globalvillage.world.

The top three reasons being, Dubai has more than a million business savvy expats living there from 120 different countries. When you network in Dubai you network with the world. Going Global means you have to fly constantly. When it comes to flying, the world is flat and Dubai is in the middle, you can reach more than 80% of the globe with a direct flight. That is a big deal when you add up cost, time and jet lag. Last but not least, Dubai is a tax-free country with no business or personal taxes. That being said you cannot beat the lifestyle of Tampa Bay so the head office will always remain right here.

How do you set up a global business quickly?

Sven Boermeester is a global publishing entrepreneur with a career that spans over 20 years with stops in more than 100 countries. He was born in Antwerp, Belgium and grew up in South Africa. After completing his business studies in Cape Town, he opened his first media company and started publishing the trade and industry directories for South Africa followed by the launch of the Best of the World publishing series in Dubai. Fast forward 20 years and 183 ‘Best of’ editions across 60 countries, Sven now lives in Tampa, Florida with his wife and young son. He is working on disrupting the publishing business by mapping out the Innovation ecosystems of every major city, in the U.S. and around the world, through his latest Innovation books and augmented reality video series.

My advice is to set up a small branch in Dubai and spend some time there if you have the means to do that. Dubai even more so than Singapore is the crossroads of the world for many reasons.

info@globalvillage.world sven-boermeester-8605823 GlobalVillage.world InnovationsoftheWorld.com 25

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“If you look at history, innovation doesn’t come just from giving people incentives; it comes from creating environments where their ideas can connect.” – STEVEN JOHNSON

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JACKSONVILLE TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (JTA)

The Bay Street Innovation Corridor is the first phase of the U2C program. This phase is in development.

The Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) is an independent state agency serving Jacksonville (Duval County), with limited services in Clay, Nassau, and Baker counties. In addition to providing public transportation options in Jacksonville, the JTA designs and constructs bridges, sidewalks, and highways through the JTAMobilityWorks and Safe Routes to School program. Established in 1955 as the Jacksonville Expressway Authority, in 1971, the Authority took over public transportation responsibilities and was renamed the JTA. Today, the JTA provides regular fixed-route bus service, the largest Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) network in the Southeastern US called the First Coast Flyer, a downtown elevated Skyway system (which will soon be converted to the Ultimate Urban Circulator (U2C ), the St. Johns River Ferry, Connexion and Connexion Plus Paratransit services, and shuttle service called ReadiRide, Beach Buggy, and Nassau Express Select.

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The JTA also provides critical paratransit services in Clay County and a growing list of “flex” routes through Clay Community Transportation. In 2019, the JTA launched the Nassau Express, providing efficient and comfortable commutes for customers who live in Yulee, Florida, to work in Downtown Jacksonville. Other Express Select services are being planned for St. Johns and Baker counties in 2020. The JTA has a challenging role in serving the largest city in the continental US in terms of landmass, which requires an integrated transportation network. The JTA’s services are a critical element for the Jacksonville community as it manages population growth, business recruitment, and providing a better quality of life. Under CEO Nathaniel P. Ford, Sr., the JTA has also embraced new technology, through intuitive mobile apps for scheduling and fare purchase and through the power of business intelligence throughout the Authority.

The Ultimate Urban Circulator (U2C) Autonomous Vehicle Program In January 2017, the JTA unveiled a vision for the future of the Downtown Skyway that will be modernized and expanded by converting the automated people mover to an autonomous vehicle transportation network. The U2C initiative will afford the JTA the ability to reimagine the future of public transportation. Once completed, the U2C will comprise of four initial projects, the first of which is the Bay Street Innovation Corridor—a three-mile, at-grade loop along East Bay Street on Downtown Jacksonville’s Northbank. This phase will connect the east and west sides of Downtown Jacksonville from the new Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center (JRTC) at LaVilla to the City’s sports and entertainment district. Simultaneously the Authority is developing Autonomous Avenue, which is the first conversion of an elevated monorail system to a roadway that supports autonomous vehicles in the US. This first leg will serve as a proof of concept, not only for the JTA but for the entire country. That conversion will continue throughout the Skyway’s entire 2.5-mile footprint with at-grade connections to serve a 10-mile network that flows through neighborhoods near Downtown Jacksonville. The Bay Street Innovation Corridor received the backing of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) in December 2018 with the award of a $12.5 million Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development or BUILD grant. This $44 million phase is actively in the planning and development phase. Meanwhile, the second iteration of the Transit Concepts and Alternatives Review (TCAR) planning exercise is underway. The study will identify alternatives for each of the proposed Skyway corridor extensions into Riverside and Five Points, San Marco, and the Southbank Medical Complex, to UF Health and the VA Outpatient Clinic to the north, and the Sports and Entertainment District.

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Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center at LaVilla

Inside, the building features energy-efficient LED lighting, smart office design, incubator space for entrepreneurs, and the JTA’s administrative offices.

The JRTC at LaVilla is the JTA’s new main transit hub and headquarters for administrative offices, located in the historic LaVilla neighborhood of Downtown Jacksonville.

Phase One was completed in April 2018 and is called the Intercity Bus Terminal (IBT). This LEED Silver Certified facility serves Greyhound Lines, MegaBus, and RedCoach. A pedestrian bridge above Forsyth Street will connect the IBT to the JRTC in 2020.

This multimodal hub will bring together JTA’s fixed-route bus lines, the First Coast Flyer BRT network, the Skyway, and the U2C , ride-hailing, and other shared services, along with other modes of mobility when it opens to the public in March 2020.

Transit-Oriented Development Transit-Oriented Development, or TOD, is a strategy the JTA is pursuing to encourage the development of high-density, mixed-use projects built within close proximity to public transportation hubs or stations. This type of development places more emphasis on pedestrian needs, incorporating wider sidewalks, bike and alternative-transportation lanes, slower traffic, and smarter intersections.

The 66,000-square-foot building features a diagonal patterned clear anodized aluminum curtain wall with two-colored spandrel glass—an energy-efficient and beautiful edition to the Jacksonville skyline in LaVilla. Outside, a 22,000-square-foot entrance plaza will welcome more than 42,000 customers daily at capacity, with easy access to the 21 bus bays.

TOD has already begun in the historic LaVilla neighborhood with the Intercity Bus Terminal, which opened in 2018, and the Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center, which opens in March 2020. The JTA is now seeking unsolicited proposals to develop five Authorityowned and underutilized parcels in LaVilla, Downtown Jacksonville, and around the city. Properties include the 1.5-acre Rosa Parks Transit Hub, which will no longer be the JTA’s main transit hub after JRTC opens in March 2020. Half of the property will be prepped for TOD, and the remaining half will still service at least three bus routes and the Skyway. Other real estate tapped for TOD include the JTA’s Golfair Boulevard property, which is connected to a First Coast Flyer Green Line stop. On the Downtown Southbank, surrounded by existing residential, office, retail, and dining, the JTA is working to jointly develop properties near the Kings Avenue Skyway Station and parking garage. Additionally, the JTA believes roughly 4 acres near The Avenues Park-n-Ride facility, near Philips Highway and Southside Boulevard, is prime for TOD.

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JTAMobilityWorks Capital Improvement Programs JTAMobilityWorks is a program designed to complete projects funded by the extension of the Local Option Gas Tax in Jacksonville. Leveraging that future funding, JTA issued $100 million in bonds to cover the cost of 13 roadway projects in 14 Mobility Corridors within a five-year period.

In 2020, work will begin on another road improvement project along San Pablo Road, and a new turbo roundabout at the corner of Merrill Road and University Boulevard, in front of the Jacksonville University Campus main entrance.

In 2019, the JTA completed a major road-widening project along Girvin Road in Southeast Jacksonville and launched projects along Kernan Boulevard and Collins Road.

The Safe Routes to School program is already creating better pedestrian connections for students and families in Atlantic Beach, North Jacksonville, and in Arlington.

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POWERING AMERICA NORTH FLORIDA Electricity is a vital component of the American economy and way of life. The Powering America team supplies the determined, dependable talent that all this critical work requires. Between our 16,000 electrical contractors and 300,000 skilled construction professionals in the US, we have established a track record in virtually every electrical enterprise. This team consists of craftspersons who are members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and members of the National Electrical Contractors Association. Critical to our every day lives but often operating in the background is industrial work: plants, factories, and refineries, each manufacturing or producing the things we use daily without a second thought. No team in the past 100 years has been more active than Powering America in building and maintaining the facilities that collectively make up America’s industrial might. We understand the financial and environmental risk of the owner that must be satisfied before these facilities go online as well as have trained professionals with skills to complete these complex facilities successfully and safely.

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Pioneering advancements in energy technology has long been a hallmark of Powering America. Our members set themselves apart by combining cuttingedge innovation with technological expertise. That dedication to progress is on full display with our leading approach to lighting—with new methods that benefit not only customers and clients but the environment as well. America’s goal of expanding alternative energy sources—solar, wind, biofuels, fuel cells—ultimately includes an expanding role for electricity. For more than three decades, the Powering America team has been out front in the energy revolution. Powering America has been instrumental in developing the “Smart Grid,” making the use of new and alternative energy sources possible. Powering America’s solar-training effort was the first in the nation and, nationally, its wind-power training is leading-edge. Our team helps design highly efficient, even “Zero Net,” construction projects and performs energy audits and retrofits for existing buildings. Our expertise

helps ensure that the right electrical systems are installed, so that customers lower their energy costs and quickly recover their investments. In Jacksonville, our team has a significant presence in the healthcare market. With clinics, urgent care, ambulatory facilities, and additions and renovations to existing structures, hospital construction today now shares a significant percentage of project investment dollars. Deeply understanding the unique challenges and complex government regulations that go into healthcare projects allows us to drive progress in this segment of the market. Powering America has a commitment to lifelong learning. This begins with our self-funded, multimillion-dollar Electrical Training Alliance, which ensures every construction professional walking onto the job is up to the task. Our rigorous curriculum requires thousands of hours of technical, classroom, and on-the-job training. Our continuing education upon graduation, available for every level of worker, equips the Powering America workforce with the knowledge to remain competitive over the course of their careers. We are committed to safety, skill, and productivity. Our pre-planning, preconstruction, and certification-process assistance allow us to work alongside owners from day one to turn any design or concept into a production reality. Powering America North Florida +1-904-636-0663 | poweringamericanecaibew powering-america.org 33

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ELEVATOR PITCH Urban SDK streamlines government and IoT data to automate performance measures and discover insights in real-time, helping to transform cities’ mobility, transportation, and safety operations.

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Urban SDK additionally provides a data exchange to connect transportation systems with a collaborative data platform of 140+ real-time datasets for end-to-end integration and advanced analytics.

Established in 2018 by Justin Dennis and Drew Messer, Urban SDK is a digital government intelligence platform combining real-time location data with predictive analytics. It provides software-as-a-service (SaaS) to combine real-time location data, predictive analytics, and a data marketplace to automate performance indicator dashboards to track performance, predict needs, and visualize big data at the street level to increase productivity and decision-making. Transportation, transit, law enforcement, and government organizations gain intelligence and data management to predict mobility and safety patterns such as traffic, parking, pedestrian movement, and safety incidents.

“Public officials and transportation engineers struggle with manual research, data requests, and inconsistent data to measure and plan their mobility system,” Partner Justin Dennis said in a statement. “Urban SDK provides data management and predictive intelligence software for transportation engineers and transit engineers much like navigation apps for drivers of connected vehicles. ” By collecting disparate data, connecting devices and systems, and then analyzing and interpreting that data, Urban SDK can automate responses 34

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and also predict outcomes, making an asset of IoT data. Streamlining data streams in this way gives cities the tools they need to improve all facets of transportation. In Jacksonville, Urban SDK’s platform is being used to develop a Congestion and Transportation Data Dashboard, enabling the North Florida TPO to manage congestion and transportation planning more effectively and to report on its commitment to improving the region’s services.

Finally, their solutions help cities to track and ultimately meet their climate goals by predicting impacts on emissions, fuel consumption, and air quality. “Urban SDK provides us visibility, analytics, and predictive intelligence on our local and regional roadways through sensors, traffic systems, and vendor technology deployments,” says Jeff Sheffield, Executive Director of North Florida TPO. “This allows us to configure and analyze disparate data for road safety and better transportation services.”

Urban SDK’s systems help reduce congestion by going beyond data gathered from sensors and cameras and incorporating emerging mobility technology and data from connected vehicles. They improve safety by using location intelligence to analyze traffic incidents and response times, in addition to pedestrian walking patterns, in order to enable better routing and safety technology deployment. And by connecting public and thirdparty consumer transportation data, Urban SDK can analyze and plan equitable access to sustainable transportation.

Urban SDK’s efforts and solutions have garnered significant and muchdeserved support and attention. The company was a finalist in the California Technology Council “Smart Cities Week” Pitch Fest and helped North Florida to be named a finalist in an exclusive Smart Regions competition. Urban SDK is also part of the 2019 Startup in Residence (STIR) cohort, which pairs startups with cities across the country to solve civic challenges. Urban SDK collaborated with other innovators to foster innovation in IoT and smart city Technologies, and the company has partnered with the City of Memphis and MATA to build a data management platform for transit planners.

“We believe the future city is connected digitally and physically,” Justin Dennis said. “Our mission is to connect community assets, services, and systems with digital intelligence to impact quality of life.” Urban SDK 25 North Market Street | Jacksonville, FL 32202 | +1-904-859-7896 UrbanSDK | Urban SDK | UrbanSDK.com

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HASKELL Haskell, headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, since its inception in 1965, is a leading global architecture, engineering, construction, and consulting firm with $1+ billion in annual revenue, 1,500 employees, and 20+ office locations around the globe. The company was founded by a single visionary named Preston Haskell who saw inefficiencies in the design and construction industries and dared to try something new. Haskell became a pioneer in the Design-Build project-delivery method, a single-source contracting approach where designer and contractor work together from project inception to project delivery. Today, this innovative, integrated delivery model is among the most popular project delivery methods in America. The evolution of Design-Build was a pivotal advancement for the industry, but in recent years, innovation within the construction industry has been the exception. In an era of unprecedented technological advancements across industries, construction professionals have been notoriously slow to innovate. As one of the oldest and largest industries in the world, construction has an immeasurable impact on the growth of modern societies, economies, and the industrialized world.

ARCHITECTURE ◆ ENGINEERING ◆ CONSTRUCTION

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Given the impact of the construction industry, it’s imperative that technology is leveraged to improve project speed, safety, and quality. Haskell, rooted in innovation, is at the forefront of this movement through their Dysruptek initiative. Dysruptek has a dedicated team of forward-thinking individuals focused on one mission— investing in ideas and technologies to innovate the built world. This is accomplished by embracing emerging technologies focusing on three core principles: invest, invent, and innovate.

Invest: Dysruptek invests as a Limited Partner in the industry’s leading venture funds and early-stage startups with promising solutions. By partnering early in the innovation cycle, Dysruptek helps to refine and develop solutions as they come to market. Invent: Balancing its venture investments, Dysruptek works to harness the creative energy within Haskell’s 1,500 highly educated and experienced team members to solve some of the company’s most pressing challenges. Leveraging a state-of-the-art, Atlanta-based Research and Development Center through a partnership with universities and McKinsey & Company, Haskell can collaborate, ideate, validate, and patent their world-class innovations. Innovate: The Dysruptek team is focused on harnessing Haskell’s intellectual capital to capture new and transformative ideas. Through crowdsourcing, education, idea generation, and more, Dysruptek is focused on creating a culture of innovation to drive growth. The construction industry is ripe for disruption, and through its Dysruptek initiative, Haskell is responding to the industry’s most significant challenges with innovative solutions.

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ASSOCIATIONS & ENTREPRENEUR ORGANIZATIONS 38

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“The world needs dreamers and the world needs doers. But above all what the world needs most are dreamers that do.” – SARAH BAN BREATHNACH 39

Downtown Skyline — JAX Chamber

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ELEVATOR PITCH JAX Chamber is one of the largest and most active chambers in the country with more than 3,000 member businesses serving Northeast Florida. JAX Chamber is helping members to make connections, grow their businesses, and prosper in the community.

play. Membership in the Chamber provides the opportunity to connect with and buy from other Chamber members. The connections result in business growth and a more prosperous economy.

Connect Members make local, national, and international connections at hundreds of events designed to build business relationships and keep you informed.

Grow

THE STORY Founded in 1880, JAX Chamber is the business membership organization dedicated to driving quality economic growth in Northeast Florida to make this region the best place to live, work, and

Through educational programs and services, the Chamber works to grow new and existing businesses.

Prosper JAX Chamber promotes economic development by attracting and retaining companies, creating

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jobs and fostering a skilled workforce. Through advocacy programs, the Chamber works for business and represents your interests at the local, state, and federal level.

Economic Development JAXUSA Partnership, the private nonprofit division of JAX Chamber, is Jacksonville’s regional economic development initiative overseeing the efforts of the seven counties of Northeast Florida. JAXUSA’s mission is to be a catalyst for economic growth and maximize the region’s unique resources to aggressively recruit jobs and capital investment to our area. Since 1990, JAXUSA has been a driving economic force within the Jacksonville region and, together with our partners, have helped create more than 100,000 jobs and $6 billion in capital investment.

Supporting Business Owners Whether someone is starting a new business or growing an existing one, the Chamber’s Entrepreneurial Growth Division, JAX Bridges, Small Business Center (SBC), and Jacksonville Women’s Business Center (JWBC) can help them achieve their goals through mentoring, training, resources, and networking programs.

JAX Chamber’s Beaches Division and Councils

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The Beaches Division is dedicated to the growth and development of our coastal communities—from Mayport Village to Ponte Vedra Beach and everywhere in between.

The Chamber has 10 councils across the city which help drive conversation and engagement on critical issues. Six of the councils (Arlington, Downtown, Mandarin, North, South and West) are based on geography. Four (Health, Information Technology, Transportation and Logistics and the Professional Women’s Council) are industry- or issuespecific. The councils are the largest engagement point for Chamber members.

JAX Chamber 3 Independent Drive | Jacksonville, FL 32202 +1-904-366-6600 JAXChamber

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SYNAPSE FLORIDA: CELEBRATING THE SUCCESS OF OUR INNOVATION COMMUNITIES SERENDIPITY DOESN’T SCALE. THAT’S WHY WE BUILT SYNAPSE.

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Synapse Florida, the nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization connecting innovation communities across Florida, was founded on the premise that serendipity doesn’t scale. By building a state-wide movement, Synapse is enabling innovation partners throughout Florida to find each other and develop relationships in a way that hasn’t existed before.

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“If you want to accelerate success and build flourishing, sustainable economies, it needs to be done in an intentional, meaningful, and purposeful way,” says Marc Blumenthal, Co-founder of Synapse.

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Connections: Framework for Fueling Innovation corporation innovation enabler ESO

Synapse believes that connections are the key to accelerating thriving innovation communities and driving Florida’s economic growth, while attracting and retaining top talent—now and for generations to come.

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By creating a framework to connect entrepreneurs, talent, investors, corporations, educational institutions, and other business stakeholders, Synapse helps people find what they need and share what they have in three ways: • Synapse Connect—An online, customized platform that allows innovators to easily and quickly connect with the resources they need anywhere across the state. Synapse Connect only shows you the 42

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opportunities, partners, news, companies, and events that are relevant to your changing needs and goals. • Synapse Challenges—A crowdsourcing solution for organizations to solve real-world problems and create new opportunities for forwardthinking businesses and people—efficiently and cost-effectively. Challenges inspire our state’s most talented creators and makers to innovate and fuel the talent pipeline.

• Synapse Events—Throughout the year, Synapse hosts purpose-driven programming online and in-person. The capstone event is the Synapse Summit—a live two-day celebration of innovation where visionaries, doers, and success-makers connect with the latest transformational innovations across all industries to educate and inspire. 43

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Providing value Synapse helps to break down the silos of industry, encouraging people to connect and engage easily with purpose and provide guidance to accelerate success. Lauren Prager, VP of Community Engagement, states, “We are a community of helping each other succeed by sharing resources, opportunities, and ideas to promote innovation”. Furthermore, Andy Hafer, Synapse Co-founder, explains, “Members of our community are incredibly generous of their time and support to help talented people, entrepreneurs, and startups get to the next level. We celebrate each other’s successes. As the saying goes, the ‘rising tide lifts all boats.’” The impact Synapse has made on our state is palpable. “We are proud that Synapse has already made a positive impact on so many in our community,” says Lauren Prager, VP of Community Engagement. “Every week, we hear from another person who found an investor, a client, a new team member, a career opportunity, an important bit of inspiration, or valuable connection through Synapse. This is what we are built to do.” “We were built to enable better connections across the state,” adds Marc. “An investor or entrepreneur should not be limited by time and space to find the partner they need to succeed. We’re proud that Synapse has a solution that is beginning to fix the problem.”

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Synapse is truly a community movement, led by an Impact Board representing Florida’s leading innovators and run day-today by unbelievably dedicated staff and volunteers. “It is truly remarkable to have such great leaders on one board, all with one common goal, to make Florida the best place to innovate, build a business, career, and life,” says Brian Kornfeld, President of Synapse. “We are grateful to the talented, resourceful Synapse staff and volunteers who are fostering the connections for innovation, helping to create the success stories that will let the world know that Innovation Lives Here.” 45

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Synapse Impact Board Synapse extends sincere appreciation and gratitude to its inaugural board, representing Florida’s leading entrepreneurs, investors, corporate executives, and principals of educational institutions, entrepreneur support organizations, and government, who are supporting the state’s thriving innovation communities. Chairman of the Board, Tim Schar, SunTrust Bank

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A-LIGN Ark Applications BNY Mellon Business Enhancement Strategies Cherry Bekaert Connectwise DCE Productions Deloitte Elevate, Inc. Embarc Collective Florida Funders Florida Israel Business Accelerator Florida Polytechnic University Florida Rep. Jamie Grant Gerdau Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce Grow Financial Federal Credit Union Guidewell Innovation/Florida Blue Hillsborough County EDi2 Holland and Knight Hunter Business Law Jabil MainFrame McIntyre Thanasides

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Metropolitan Ministries Morgan Hill Partners Orlando Economic Partnership Palm Beach Tech Publix PWC Qualified Meetings Reliaquest Schifino Lee Straz Center for the Performing Arts

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SunTrust Bank Tampa Bay Business Journal Tampa Bay Innovation Center Tampa Bay Wave Tampa General Hospital Tampa Innovation Alliance Ultimate Medical Academy University of Central Florida University of South Florida University of Tampa

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For more information about Synapse Florida, please visit: synapseFL synapseflorida synapsefl synapsefl.com and synapsesummit.com 47

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WOMEN IN TECHNOLOGY

A group of women who get together monthly and talk about technology. We discuss where it has been, where it is going, and where it is now as well as issues arising from it and what problems it can resolve. We help the ladies of Jacksonville get more in touch with technology, and all it can encompass. We started getting together in 2010 and founded the group in 2011 as Women in Information Technology. We became a social group that met at a restaurant bimonthly. In 2016, we started the peer-to-peer mentorship group as well as the college outreach and mentorship programs. With the membership we had, we were able to connect with the University of North Florida, Florida State College of Jacksonville, Jacksonville University, and Keiser University. Keiser University went a step further and offered us a meeting place and facilities for our group. Because of this, Women in IT shifted from being a social group to a formal meeting group with presentations. With a more formal layout, we were able to start assisting one another in developing the necessary skills for both personal and professional growth.

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In 2017, we started doing all-female IT panels at area conferences. We did a Women in IT panel for Jacksonville SQL Saturday Conference (Tampa, Atlanta, and Orlando as well), Jacksonville BSides, Jacksonville Microsoft Developers Tour, Code on the Beach, Jacksonville IT Pro Camp, Women and Minorities in IT Conference, Code Impact, and more. In addition, we also started doing presentation series in the meetings to develop membersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; soft skills, technical skills, and skills needed to start their own business. We had terrific local speakers come and teach us branding, communication, marketing, social media, speech skills, job-search skills, resume building, website creating, coding/developer skills, and more, with the goal to help as many women as we could in our community that were interested in technology to learn and grow. Many got the mentorship and assistance they needed to start their own companies, IT, or other STEM-related careers, seek out promotions, and move up and on from where they were when they started.

In 2018, the group voted to change the name from Women in Information Technology to Women in Technology because many of the members in the group were in industries outside of IT. Members came to learn about technology projects or how they could transition into technology-based careers. Because of this, we became Women in Technology.

idea spread rapidly with the help of our sponsors Eagle Wings Enterprises, Inc., Checkpoint, and Uniti Fiber. We were finally able to have enough members to start our High School STEM mentorship program at The Foundation Academy. As we continue to grow, we hope to help more people in this community grow and reach their goals as well as get more involved in STEM-related careers and activities.

In the fall of 2018, we also decided to open up the group to men. The idea was that it would be nice to have supportive men in the group, as well as to have more men and women together, working side by side in STEM careers. This

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EDUCATION 50

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“The best way to predict the future is to create it.” – ALAN KAY

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NORTHEAST FLORIDA REGIONAL STEM2 HUB The Northeast Florida Regional STEM2 Hub was chartered in 2015 by the Jacksonville business community under the leadership of Gary Chartrand. These leaders noticed that there was a disconnect between the skills that students would need to be ready for the careers of the 21st century, and the experiences that students were receiving through their formal education. Gary’s unique perspective, serving as a Florida State School Board member for eight years, along with his transformational work in the business community, allowed him to unite the Northeast Florida region around the pivotal needs to sustain a robust talent pipeline and to prepare all students for the career opportunities that await them. The Northeast Florida region was defined by the JAX USA and economic development partnerships to include the counties of Baker, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Nassau, Putnam, and St. Johns. The quality of education is of critical importance to attract business to our community. Jacksonville is now the fifth fastest-growing market and is the twelfth best city for young professionals, according to the chamber. At the onset of the STEM2 Hub, it was critical to take a cross sector, collaborative approach to the work that was to be undertaken. Therefore, the 52

STEM2 Hub Board of Directors was chartered to include an Education Advisory Board. The seven superintendents of the school districts within the geographic region, along with the college presidents of the universities serving the region hold a seat on the advisory board. All parties came together and commission a task force to complete a study and analysis of the State of STEM in Northeast Florida. This study was undertaken as a collaborative process across the entities represented on the boards. A SWOT (Strengths / Weaknesses / Opportunities / Threats) model was utilized. The study was used to identify strengths and opportunities for this region. The mission of the STEM2 Hub was developed from the findings of the study. The mission of the STEM2 Hub is to “convene, inspire, and invest in the STEM2 field by providing the essential missing elements to accelerate the growth of STEM2 education and

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careers.” The STEM2 Hub launched with a public convening of stakeholders held at the University of North Florida, and was attended by hundreds, representing the business community, nonprofits, K-12 educators and leaders from all seven counties, and universities serving the region. This convening presented the opportunity for all sectors to develop an understanding of the state of STEM and the workforce that would be needed to sustain economic growth and prosperity. Kathleen Schofield, Executive Director And then the work began! Now led by executive director, Kathleen Schofield, a visionary leader who sets goals considered impossible by manythe STEM2 Hub is developing deep and meaningful relationships and partnerships across and within the seven counties and beyond, fostering a spirit of mutual trust and collaboration. The goal of the work is to move our region towards a strong and robust education system that is fully aligned with the needs of our local economy. The work drives system change, according to Schofield. “We serve as a disruptive influence, working to assure that all students have access to the vital skills for the jobs of tomorrow. Critical thinking, project-based learning, application of key math and science concepts, and the infusion of technologies, such as robotics, drone technology, augmented and mixed reality, artificial intelligence, and machine learning, as well as a developed understanding of data through technology are skills and proficiencies all students need if they are to be successful in the

career pathways of the future. And this work must begin with the youngest of students.” The STEM2 Hub is part of something bigger: the global STEM Learning Ecosystems Communities of Practice. Through participation in this organization, the STEM2 Hub now networks with communities in all settings from various ecosystems around the globe who are working to find solutions to many of the same challenges. Best practices are shared through biannual convenings. The STEM2 Hub’s Board of Directors is committed to the mission and represents a blend of companies who are counting on us to help develop a robust talent pipeline for a strong economic future. Our board includes Acosta Sales & Marketing, Alluvion Staffing, Auditmacs, Bethesda Farm, Black Knight Financial, Citi, CSX, FIS Global, Greenshades Software, Guidewell/Florida Blue, Haskell Corporation, Jax Chamber, LEGO Education, The PGA, TIAA Bank, Ullmann Brown Wealth Advisors, Urban Mining Tech Rescue, Web. com, Wells Fargo Bank, and Wolfson Children’s Hospital.

Northeast Florida Regional STEM2 Hub Kathleen@stem2hub.org stem2hub.org

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DIVERSIFYING THE TEACHER PIPELINE AACTE Holmes Scholars and UNF Summer Bridge Program

The UNF Holmes Scholar "Alpha Cohort" at their official “Signing Day” with CUEP leadership, Dr. Diana Greene (DCPS Superintendent), Dr. Tracolya Clinch (Principal, Andrew Jackson HS), Dean Yendol-Hoppey, and Dr. Pam Chally (Interim Provost).

These two UNF College of Education and Human Services efforts enact a cultural understanding of the community at large by addressing the challenges low-income students face pre-college, allow the University to liaise with the Jacksonville community by providing inclusive opportunities for students who are underrepresented or first in their family to attend college, and provide UNF and the College of Education and Human Services the opportunity to expand its pool of applicants to more students from historically underrepresented backgrounds.

Two of the eight Alpha Cohort scholars at the official “Signing Day” for UNF Holmes Scholars. 54

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Week 2 Summer Bridge campers with CUEP leadership and Rodney L. Hurst, Sr., following their UNF pinning ceremony.

UNF Holmes Scholars Program In 2018, the University of North Florida was accepted as an American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE) Holmes Scholars Institution. The AACTE Holmes Honors Program supports undergraduates from historically underrepresented groups interested in a career in teaching, school administration, or the professoriate. Dr. Chris Janson, the director of the UNF Center for Urban Education and Policy, believes that these students will be change agents in multiple arenas, both during their college experience and as trained educators. “These scholars will not only graduate and impact countless students’ lives in classrooms, but they will also help our college explore and learn how we can ensure that ALL of our teacher candidates and faculty are more culturally responsive and competent,” Janson explained. Inclusion in the Holmes Partnership, which consists of 33 universities in the United States, will enable the COEHS to grow its network of community and national partnerships while also making a real difference in the community. “The UNF Holmes Scholars will become a part of a high-impact network designed to increase the number of well-qualified educators from underrepresented groups in the field of education,” explained Dr. Diane Yendol-Hoppey, the COEHS Dean. “It will offer access to a wealth of local resources as well as opportunities to engage in national-level policy and advocacy efforts.”

In 2019, the College of Education and Human Services recruited eight Duval County high school students to be the first-ever cohort of UNF Holmes Scholars. They are currently enrolled and thriving as freshmen in the COEHS.

UNF Summer Bridge Program With grant support from the Delores Barr Weaver Fund, the UNF Center for Urban Education and Policy (CUEP) hosted the first-ever “Summer Bridge” camp in July 2019 for rising seniors from urban high schools throughout Northeast Florida. Aimed at taking the fear out of the highschool-to-college transition, Summer Bridge campers are able to discover career pathways or academic fields of study (with an emphasis on teacher education), meet new friends, make professional connections, and more. This weeklong program allows the UNF to expand its reach through community partnerships; enact a cultural understanding of the community at large by addressing the challenges low-income students face pre-college; and liaise between the University and the Jacksonville community by providing inclusive opportunities for students who are underrepresented or first in their family to attend college. Through this program, the University of North Florida and the College of Education and Human Services will have the opportunity to expand their pool of applicants to more students from historically underrepresented backgrounds. 1 UNF Drive | Jacksonville, FL 32224 +1-904-620-5755 unfcoehs | unfcoehs unf.edu/coehs 55

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SOLVE, TINKER, EXPLORE, AND PLAY: UNF STEP LAB The UNF Step Lab, housed in the UNF College of Education and Human Services, positions UNF to continue to be a major contributor to the STEM Education ecosystem in the Northeast Florida community. It is a place where regional PreK-12 students and teachers, university faculty and students, and community/business partners can go to learn and construct their own understandings of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM).

Robotic vehicles and ipads lined up ready for use in the UNF STEP Lab.

Life-size blocks, LEGO kits, robotic vehicles, iPads, 3-D printers and so much more. These learning tools can now be found in the UNF STEP Lab, a reimagined space located in the College of Education and Human Services (COEHS). The creation of the lab was an initiative spearheaded by the Northeast Florida Center for STEM Education, or NEFSTEM, which was founded in 1985 as a multidisciplinary center housed in the UNF College of Education and Human Services (COEHS). Armed with a vision for bringing students together to collaborate around technology-rich lessons, a team of dedicated faculty and staff brought the lab to life. Pre-service teachers are able to use the lab to try out technology, work on collaborative lesson plans for methods classes, and prepare to implement and incorporate cuttingedge technology into their classrooms upon graduation. The space is further envisioned to be a place where teachers in surrounding counties can come for professional development to add new tools to their toolkits and learn new skills. Generous donations and contributions from Google, IKEA, Amazon, Kaymbu, Inc., LEGO Education, and private donors have ensured the success of the lab in its first year of existence. The Northeast Florida Regional STEM2 Hub is a full-time partner of the STEP Lab, and played a significant role in making the vision become a reality.

Students working on the hacking stem lesson “How do sharks swim?” They are building a joystick that connects to an Arduino microcontroller, which allows them to take on the role of a shark in a visualization in Excel.

Kathleen Schofield, the Executive Director of the Northeast Florida Regional STEM2 Hub, believes that forward thinking is the primary goal of the STEP Lab. “With the demand growing for teachers to provide instruction in computer science and integrate it into their classes, it is becoming increasingly important that practicing teachers have a place to learn new things that were not a part of the typical school day when they attended college,” Schofield explained. The STEP lab has welcomed groups of students and teachers from regional PreK–12 schools, the UNF preschool, and the University. With funding support from full-time partner STEM2 Hub and technical support from the Microsoft

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Students from Woodland Acres Elementary School work with LEGO kits in the UNF STEP Lab.

dedicated to expanding access to computer science in schools and increasing participation by women and underrepresented minorities. “This move fits with our innovation initiatives and efforts to strengthen our interdisciplinary collaboration with UNF’s College of Computing, Engineering and Construction, or CCEC, and NEFSTEM,” said Dr. Diane Yendol-Hoppey, the COEHS dean. “It also positions UNF to continue to be a major contributor to the STEM Education ecosystem in our community.” With this new structure, the STEP lab will effectively become a “Maker Space” with a focus on social justice in making and coding, facilitated through partnerships with the community. The goal is for students from the COEHS to be able to collaborate with students from the UNF Colleges of Health, Arts and Sciences, and Computing, Engineering, and Construction to generate real solutions to concerns and issues in our community. Students from Baker County High School using coding technology on iPads to operate robotic vehicles.

NEFSTEM’s long-term plan is to continually establish additional labs to complete a constellation of labs across Northeast Florida, in order to serve multiple constituencies. The lab will also serve as a space to examine emerging and new instructional technologies. This work can serve to demonstrate “proof of concept” of new equipment and practices through faculty research.

Hacking STEM staff, the College hosted three sessions of free summer camps for elementary, middle, and high school students. The high school campers created robotic hands, with a goal of translating the technology to affordable Assistive Technology for the community.

UNF STEP Lab 1 UNF Drive | Jacksonville, FL 32224 +1-904-620-5755 unfcoehs | unfcoehs unf.edu/coehs

In November 2018, the College announced that Code.Org would be moving from the Florida State College at Jacksonville to the UNF COEHS, falling under the NEFSTEM umbrella. Code.org is a nonprofit organization 57

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FSCJ–THE COMMUNITY’S COLLEGE Formerly known as Florida Junior College, Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ) was founded in 1965 to serve the Northeast Florida region as the first integrated public postsecondary educational institution in Duval and Nassau counties. The College is comprised of four campuses and three centers, providing necessary accessibility for our expansive service area. FSCJ has served the First Coast for more than 50 years and continues to rank among the top colleges and universities in Florida. From an initial enrollment of 2,610 students in fall 1966, to the current enrollment of 42,000-plus, the College has grown to offer 13 bachelor’s degrees, 49 associate degrees and more than 100 technical certificates and workforce certifications. As a matter of fact, FSCJ awards more than 6,000 degrees and certificates on an annual basis.

As we build upon the past and look ahead to the future, FSCJ’s driving force is student success. We strive to fulfill our mission to provide high-value, relevant lifelong education that enhances the intellectual, social, cultural, and economic development of our diverse community. FSCJ delivers on this mission in the following ways: • We exist to serve anyone who wishes to bolster themselves through higher education. FSCJ is proud to welcome students from more than 154 countries around the world and at all stages of life, from age 12 to 106. • We offer various workforce continuing education programs, corporate training, active military and veteran support services, adult education, English language programs, and college-readiness services. • FSCJ is committed to embedding our aid and abilities into the neighborhoods we serve. Service learning, volunteerism, and mentorship initiatives allow students the opportunity to give back and connect with the community in unique ways while they gain vital life skills that leave a lasting impression and shape their perspective and trajectory. • Additionally, the College is supporting Downtown Jacksonville’s revitalization efforts through the complete conversion of a long-abandoned historic property into student housing. Inspired to provide a more inclusive and comprehensive college experience for our students, 20West Housing has changed the landscape of the urban core.

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• In the spirit of ongoing education, the College emphasizes the importance of community-based programming that facilitates and encourages transformative learning through cultural and social enrichment. Examples include: » FSCJ Artist Series is Northeast Florida’s major presenter of national and international touring attractions. Originally developed 54 years ago as a vehicle for making the arts more accessible to students, the FSCJ Artist Series presents more than 100 performances per year reaching an estimated 300,000 people. » TEDxFSCJ is a convener of conversations whose mission is to place before the community the most engaging ideas possible that help attendees, partners, and volunteers grow both personally and professionally. » The annual FSCJ Author Series engages students in a learning community focused on a published memoir and the accompanying social issues that promote academic discourse in higher education. Discussions on the text and immersion through volunteerism and civic engagement create permanent and positive impact within the College and community. • FSCJ is proud of its significant role in creating stability and progress for local business and infrastructure, working to supply a highly skilled, educated workforce that is both proactive and responsive to the unique needs of the population we serve. Recent program enhancements include: » Instrumentation and Controls Technology Center (ICTC) featuring the stateof-the-art instrumentation and controls that are utilized in the leading manufacturing systems throughout the world.

» STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics) Rooms offering opportunities for students to learn through creating and collaborating with other innovators. » Medical Simulation Center allowing students in health programs access to hands-on learning experiences through realistic patient care scenarios. » Fire Academy of the South providing a wide range of training and educational opportunities to emergency responders, from basic skills and certification, all the way to specialized technical training including shipboard and aircraft rescue firefighting. The College seeks and stewards strategic partnerships to enhance the community’s workforce pool, leading to more productive, efficient and profitable industry output. These partnerships contribute to a higher level of social and civic engagement, generate the attraction of new industries and corporations and propel the overall economic and social development of the community forward. Florida State College at Jacksonville +1-904-646-2300 | fscj.edu 59

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Clay County District Schools has truly become an educational environment of which everyone can be proud. We have embraced a culture of learning and growth for ourselves as educators so that our students will ultimately benefit. Our laser-like focus on innovation and technology reflects the values of our community and keeps an eye to the future for what it means to be a student of the 21st century: creative, informed, technologically literate, and flexible, but most of all a critical thinker. Clay County District Schools plans to continue to increase our students’ access to technology with the 1:OneClay online platform of carefully cultivated online resources and tools, as well as to provide access to academies, electives, resource classes, teams, and clubs that expose our students to STEAM concepts, including our OneClay Robotics program. Our collaboration around STEAM initiatives is key to ensuring that we are providing the best possible educational experience for our most valuable assets—our students.

CLAY COUNTY DISTRICT SCHOOLS Clay County District Schools has a proud tradition of excellence. We have established our school system as one of the best in the state, if not in the country.

OneClay Robotics Clay County District Schools believes that by providing the opportunity for our students to interact with learning around robotics and the principles of computer science that we are preparing our students to be competitive in the world they will enter upon graduating. “Technology empowers our students to use compassion, curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, communication, and collaboration to achieve their academic and personal goals,” said Superintendent Addison Davis. By programming robots, collaborating with teammates and coaches, and developing solutions to real-world problems, our students are developing the skills necessary to compete in current and future job markets. Currently, Clay County District Schools offers District-Supported Robotics Programs to all 42 schools.

FIRST® Teams All elementary and secondary schools have the opportunity to compete in FIRST® Competitions. Our students and coaches go above and beyond in their learning, growth, and proficiency each year with these FIRST® Team Competitions. We have had very successful teams from both the elementary and secondary levels that have moved beyond District 60

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competition to compete at the Regional and State levels. Last year, we were incredibly proud of our District FIRST® Robotics Competition Team for winning the Imagery Award at our Regional International Competition.

OneClay Robot Rumble After the Fall FIRST® Competition Season ends, each school opens its Robotics After School Program to additional students. This is considered a Robotics Club. We wanted all students to have the thrill and learning opportunities brought through competition, so the OneClay Robot Rumble gives students a Competition Type Environment, which allows more students access to a full Robotics Experience. All schools are invited to the OneClay Robot Rumble, and each club can bring more than one “team” or robot to compete. Since our inaugural event four years ago, they OneClay Robot Rumble has continued to expand and we had over 500 students compete at last spring’s event! We are so excited to continue to see this event grow, as we believe that the critical-thinking skills that students acquire through the fun and engagement of building and coding a robot will benefit them in all aspects of their learning.

STEAM Choice Program at Lake Asbury Junior High School

Innovation in Leadership

2019–20 marked the inaugural year of the STEAM program at Lake Asbury Junior High School (LAJH). Leading up to the beginning of the year, the STEAM Team of teachers trained around problem-based learning (PBL) instruction, visited existing programs in the area, and prepared cross-curricular projects for students. Eligible 6th graders from across the county were invited to apply to become the first 7th grade STEAM cohort of students. This cohort will advance next year, 2020–21, to become the 8th grade STEAM students, and LAJH will add a new group of 7th graders to the program. The school’s goal is to go school-wide by year three, 2021–22.

Best practices confirm that engaging learning experiences help create problemsolvers capable of competing in an ever-changing global society that prepares our students for careers of the future. Clay County District Schools values building the capacity of leaders to lead innovation throughout the district. Principals and senior leadership participated in Lego’s professional development as an introduction to leading and learning in the Digital Age focused on coding. As a result, all schools participated in Hour of Code, in which nearly 35,000 students participated in activities promoting technology innovation.

Students in this program will: • Experience problem-based learning in Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics; • Work on quarterly PBL projects and presentations for the community; • Work with local businesses, farmers, and organizations to learn about careers. They will also look at the challenges they face and work with them to create viable solutions; • Take field trips and host guest speakers that will expose them to STEAM opportunities, careers of tomorrow, and the Arts; • Use cutting-edge technology to research, create, and present; • Connect with people across the USA; • Host Family Engagement events; • Create and do hands-on lessons with the students in the elementary schools that feed into Lake Asbury Junior High.

Addison Davis, Superintendent

Clay County District Schools 900 Walnut Street Green Cove Springs, FL 32043 +1-904-336-6500 oneclay | oneclayschools oneclaycountyschools oneclay.net

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ONCE TROUBLED, ANDREW JACKSON HIGH SCHOOL EVOLVES INTO ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY MAGNET Video games are anything but child’s play for students at Andrew Jackson High School of Advanced Technology where computer coding, animation, and simulation programming are the daily classroom lessons.

ELEVATOR PITCH

THE STORY

Andrew Jackson High School of Advanced Technology, a top-performing magnet school in Duval County, paves the way for its students to enter business and technology industries. By offering courses on video games, computer coding, animation, simulation programming, and more, Andrew Jackson High School takes its students’ interests into account, ultimately rendering their curriculum meaningful and their futures full of possibility.

A syllabus at Andrew Jackson High School might reads like a techie’s dream—and like a tech school’s curriculum. With its courses focused on concepts and skills necessary for a career in business or technology, the high school is preparing its students for the jobs of tomorrow by catering to their interests of today.

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The hands-on learning that Jacksonville has become known for is possible thanks to its state-of-the-art computer labs and support technology. While it is the only public school in Duval County to offer a video gaming design, development, and programming magnet, it is also the first to offer a cyber security magnet. Courses in unmanned aircraft systems, accelerated information technology security, and sports medicine are also available to students. No matter the course students opt in for, assignments are designed to challenge students to think critically, act creatively, and overall, to be innovative. “We definitely want this to be a school where those opportunities are available to everyone in Duval County because we know that many of our students that excel in IT and who like computers are not necessarily like your 4.5 GPA students,” Assistant Principal James Stuckey said in an interview. “You don’t have to be gifted in all areas in order to get into the school.”

Eight years ago, Jackson was a failing school with a graduation rate of 86.7%. Today, the high school boasts a 94.4% graduation rate, proof of its evolution. “Making it a dedicated magnet school that focuses on advanced technology [appeals] to certain types of students,” Principal Tracolya Clinch has said. “We obviously still have a lot of neighborhood students here taking advantage of the programs.” These programs teach students the skills necessary to secure and succeed in high-tech jobs. A video-game design class, for example, includes learning computer coding, animation, and simulation programming. In a cyber security course, students try to hack into a simulated corporate computer network, a process based in ethical hacking. The hope is to get—and keep—students interested in not only computer programming, which is the foundation of many lucrative high-tech jobs, but also to spark a larger interest in science and its future. “Computer science by itself might not be the most fun thing to read about, but if we present it in an engaging way like video games, all of a sudden those skills you need to make a game become that much more important,” says teacher Ian Lozano. Another means of interesting students in industries of the future is allowing them to work with data science—like artificial intelligence and networks— and also on automated cars. Partnerships with companies and JTA make such opportunities possible. Andrew Jackson High School, in terms of its amazing turnaround and its high-tech-savvy students, is proof of just how fundamental and transformative innovation is here in Jacksonville. Andrew Jackson High School 3816 N. Main Street | Jacksonville, FL 32206 | +1-904-630-6950 AndrewJacksonHS1927 | AndrewJacksonHS | duvalschools.org/ajhs 63

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PUTNAM COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT THE STORY With schools in Palatka, Interlachen, Crescent City, Melrose, and Florahome, Putnam County is dedicated to providing every student with opportunities to succeed. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math instruction are vitally important components in the formula for success.

North Central Florida is known for beautiful waterways, nature trails, and woodlands, and Putnam County School District calls the area home. Governed by an elected school board of five individuals and an elected superintendent, Putnam County School District employs 1,557 people and serves 10,900 students. Putnam County School District knows that to create innovators, it needs to inspire its students to explore STEM careers through rigorous and engaging instruction. To that end, the district has grown the STEM ecosystem as well as increased STEM courses and activities across each campus. Through initiatives and partnerships with organizations STEM2 Hub, LEGO Education, and Woz Education, Putnam County School District has three goals: 1. Increase professional development opportunities that focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Provide innovative training to all teachers. 2. Provide differentiated, active instruction to deliver STEM learning activities to promote student exploration of STEM through programs such as robotics, drones, aerospace technology, advanced 64

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manufacturing, coding, web design, cybersecurity, advanced computer sciences, and augmented and virtual reality. 3. Build collaborative partnerships with area businesses to align STEM activities with workforce needs. A pilot program was carried out in 2018 at C.L. Overturf Sixth Grade Center using curriculum from Woz Education for drones. Professional development by STEM2 Hub yielded promising results. In 2019, the programming was expanded to offer instruction in coding, microbots, and LEGO EV3 Mindstorm Robots to facilitate cyberlearning. All middle schools have participated in the drone program in 2019 and all are expanding their STEM course offerings. Additionally, students at Q.I. Roberts Jr.-Sr. High School built and programmed a drone to compete in the Aerospace Robotics Competition, where they placed second in the state. Other components of Putnam County School District’s STEM Ecosystem include the STEM Van, a mobile STEM Lab filled with tools to inspire students. Professional development through NICERC (National Integrated Cyber Education Research Center) was first offered in October 2019.

Three Putnam County teachers and one administrator were invited to participate in Microsoft Hackathon in Seattle, where they learned pedagogy—and hacks!—that will benefit all PCSD students. Chief Science Officer Program—PCSD, in partnership with STEM2 Hub, will participate in the International Chief Science Officer Program. The program will:

2018. There was also a decrease in the number of underperforming schools in the district and more students are in accelerated classes. Through partnerships, initiatives, and a focus on students’ futures, Putnam County School District provides learners of today with opportunities for a bright tomorrow.

1. Cultivate a pipeline of diverse STEM leaders 2. Foster communication and collaboration among CSOs 3. Enrich school STEM culture and career awareness 4. Amplify student voices in STEM conversations in the community There are robotic clubs at every 21st Century Afterschool Program and additional robotics instruction has been added during school hours. Four schools participated in First LEGO League Competitions last year and the district will host a competition this year. Additionally, six elementary schools in the district have expanded STEM instruction into media centers or new labs, with one school selected to be a STEM Demonstration School. The elementary schools have incorporated a STEM elective, as well as STEM integration, into the curriculum for every grade. Because Putnam County is a rural district with high poverty, the need for instruction that prepares students for high-demand, well-paying jobs is critical to break the cycle of poverty. There are positive indicators that PCSD is moving in the right direction: the district celebrated the highest increase in graduation rates in the state, moving from 54.9% in 2015 to 84.8% in 65

Putnam County School District +1-386-329-0554 putnamschools.org

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RENAISSANCE JAX Renaissance Jax is the North Florida Affiliate Partner for the world’s biggest youth robotics competition platform, FIRST Robotics. Between 2013 and 2018, we’ve grown from 120 to 4,000+ students who design, build, and program robots for competition each year. When Jacksonville has thousands of young people with in-depth technical and soft skills, our whole economic opportunity will change drastically.

Mark McCombs

Our founder, Mark McCombs, is a FIRST Alumni who saw the skills gained on a robotics team as a major differentiator for his peers who took jobs at Apple, SpaceX, Google, the Department of Defense, and many more top firms around the country. Maybe companies like that would set up shop around a region with a high density of tech talent and a low cost of living. Renaissance Jax was built on the premise that we could create more talented young people per capita by building more FIRST Robotics teams per capita than any city in the country. We want to answer questions like, “What do you do with 1,000 of the most talented people on earth?” We have 130,000 students in Duval County Public Schools; even if 10% get on a robotics team and gain that experience, that is a ton of people gaining skills they would not otherwise be gaining in 66

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programming, automation, machine design, fundraising, business formation, and so much more. Extrapolate that to the 20-county region we manage for FIRST Robotics, and you can start to see a huge future propelled by kids coming out of our programs. From training teachers, directly sponsoring teams, coordinating corporate sponsors and private donors, partnering with school districts and universities, hosting upwards of 60 events a year, and driving a comprehensive growth strategy for teams, tournaments, and our volunteer network—Renaissance Jax is a hands-on approach to building and maintaining our community through the values and opportunities afforded to our young people. Even within any 5 to 10 year timespan — our participants will come into decision-making and value-add positions in life and we want to make sure that their skills are driving the future rather than playing catch-up. Over the last couple of years our growth has been some of the fastest nationally for FIRST Robotics. We’ve helped to pilot a program called Camp Amazon which ties FIRST and Amazon together around their Fulfillment Centers; received the Arts

Innovator award from the Cultural Council; and through a partnership with Duval County Public Schools, have enjoyed one of the largest instances of robotics programs in a public school district. We are working for a future where over 25,000 kids a year are growing up through FIRST and gaining the skills they will use to transform our culture in North Florida. Our story and vision have been shared through most major media outlets locally, including a talk at TEDxJacksonville where our founder spoke on “Why Every Kid Should Build a Robot.” You can find us online at www.renaissancejax.org and we’ll see you at competitions around the region each fall and spring.

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IOT & DATA SCIENCES 68

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“The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn.“ – RALPH WALDO EMERSON

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EMBRACE OR DIE: THE CASE FOR AI “Artificial intelligence (AI) has made its mark and has begun transforming every industry, government, and the lives of everyone on the planet,” states Ted Willich, NLP Logix Chief Executive. Ted is one of three founders of the company. He, along with Matt Berseth and Robert Marsh, started the company in 2011 when they believed that there would be a strong demand for machine learning and automation. Over the years, they have noticed that for those who embrace and understand the technology, its capabilities and limitations, the opportunities for making massive strides forward are unlimited. Those who fail to recognize and apply AI to their industries or organizations will quickly be surpassed. “What inspires me is working with the best team of technologists in the US, who really understand AI and every day allow our customers to transform their businesses,” said Matt Berseth, Lead Scientist. “It is a great opportunity to have a front-row seat and watch the acceleration of AI technologies really deliver value—and not just hype—and to have Jacksonville be an epicenter for AI in the US is the icing on the cake,” added Ted Willich. 70

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Artificial intelligence has made its mark and has begun transforming the lives of everyone on the planet. Theodore R. Willich NLP Logix Chief Executive Officer

ACCOMPLISHMENTS & AWARDS

FUTURE FORWARD

Since 2012, NLP has been competing in data-science contests across the world and consistently finished in the top 1%. These contests can be broken down into two different data science categories: Predictive Modeling, which uses large amounts of transactional data, and Computer Vision/Deep Learning, which requires interpreting large amounts of imagery.

The company takes great pride in giving back to the Northeast Florida community and over the past four years have run an analytics summer boot camp for rising seniors in the Duval County Public Schools.

Some of the noteworthy awards for Predictive Modeling are:

The camp teaches the students the foundations of data science, so that they can support the goal that the company has to put Jacksonville on the map as an epicenter of the development of AI! The company is also an active supporter and Advisory Council Member of the National Association Veterans and Families, a Jacksonville-based veterans support organization as well as the Jacksonville Humane Society and K9’s United.

PRACTICE FUSION DIABETES CLASSIFICATION CHALLENGE US CENSUS BUREAU RETURN RATE CHALLENGE GENERAL ELECTRIC’S FLIGHT QUEST CHALLENGE KDD CUP STUDENT ATTRITION CHALLENGE Some of the noteworthy awards for Computer Vision/Deep Learning are:

TOP 5 FINISH CAMELYON 2016 BREAST CANCER IDENTIFICATION CHALLENGE TOP FINISH HER2 BREAST CANCER TUMOR CLASSIFICATION CHALLENGE

Robby Robertson Chief Operating Officer

TOP FINISH MICCAI 2017 WHITE MATTER HYPERINTENSITY CHALLENGE

Matt Berseth Lead Scientist Robert Marsh Chief Technology Officer

In addition to being recognized for data science excellence through the international competitions, the team as a company at NLP Logix have been recognized by the Jacksonville Business Journal BizTech Awards for the best use of cloud technology as well as the “IT DREAM TEAM.” In 2016 and 2017 they were recognized as one of the top 50 fastest-growing companies in Northeast Florida and in 2018 NLP Logix made the Inc. 5000 America’s Fastest Growing Company List.

NLPLOGIX

CONTACT@NLPLOGIX.COM

NLPLOGIX.COM

Theodore R. Willich Chief Executive Officer

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“DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION IN THE IOT AGE IS MORE ABOUT PEOPLE AND THE MULTIPLIER EFFECT THAN IT IS ABOUT TECHNOLOGY.” David A. Hopper, CEO & Founder, Auditmacs 72

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As the Internet of Things (IoT) and digital transformation sweep rapidly across the globe, people often focus too much on the technology. Sometimes we need to ask the question … “Why?” Why are we doing this? Just because we can do something with technology isn’t always a good reason that we should. As a technology leader with a passion for art, I’m always looking to create that perfect work of art or capture that perfect photo. In business, I’m looking to create that perfect ecosystem of technology for our clients. When done successfully, it produces some incredible results.

COMPLEXITY I took the picture to the right with an EF500 from a helicopter looking down at the beach. I used it because the tire tracks show art but they also demonstrate complexity and the unknown. Technology is no different. I don’t know if it was any easier in the proverbial “good old days,” but in the IoT Digital Transformation age it’s definitely complex. The current M&A climate only exacerbates the complexity. The connective tissue between departments and business units in multi-billion dollar enterprises makes all of the financial, regulatory, operational, and security challenges dramatically amplified. Add to that list multiple platform integration/adoption, financial leakage, technology overlap, contractual complexity and management, and system-driven workflows that require flexibility, and you have some enormous challenges to deal with … as well as opportunities.

PEOPLE As I said early, I believe digital transformation in the IoT age is more about people and the multiplier effect than about technology. Leveraging technology effectively while efficiently managing the entire technology life cycle will have positive effects on your people, the client experience, your brand, and your profitability. The right technology can empower people to do more, create more, and accomplish more.

MULTIPLIER EFFECT Every business wants the multiplier effect. They invest a million and they want 5 million in return. When businesses create the right technology ecosystem and deploy the right life-cycle management protocols, they can experience the multiplier effect. Too often businesses invest in technology and get the opposite. They invest a million and they get a million (or less) in return. If done the right way, the IoT and digital transformation can create incredible multiplier effects. To realize the positive effects of technology in today’s climate, companies have to embrace the legitimate challenges associated with it. Poor deployment, financial leakage, integration challenges, workflow challenges, life-cycle disconnects, and much more can erase the benefits of your digital transformation.

David A. Hopper is the CEO and founder of Auditmacs—a technology life cycle consulting and outsourcing firm. He has won the Ultimate CEO Award and Auditmacs has won best places to work, philanthropy awards, and numerous other awards including multiple Inc. 5000 awards. In 2018, Auditmacs was #1,742 in the country for fastest-growing companies. Auditmacs has a 16-year track record for helping large enterprises dramatically lower costs while better leveraging and managing the entire technology life cycle. Hopper and his company are on numerous boards and are passionate about giving back. Auditmacs is involved in over 20 different amazing charities. In addition to Hopper, Auditmacs is led by Jeff Hootselle, Chief Cloud Officer; Daniel Beaty, CTO; Jennifer Mason, Chief Strategy Officer; Zac Smallwood, President of Logistics; Todd Dungan, President of Expense Management, Ashley Whealton, VP of Finance; and Lyndsey Guillama, Senior VP of TEM.

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SORBOTICS is a market-leading Artificial Intelligence (AI) software technology startup. They have developed the industry’s 1st AI operating system IIoT software platform that solves industrial enterprises’ biggest pain points.

SORBA is the world’s most advanced enterprise industrial IoT platform that enables engineers, data scientists, operators, and maintenance teams to build their own machinelearning solutions for OT & IT digitalization applications. SORBA is built on open-source technologies that streamline our everyday lives. The unique market differentiator behind the technology is all the automation under the hood, allowing for users to build AI solutions with no data science or academic experience required. With measurable ROI, SORBA gives industrial sectors the following sustainable unique capabilities: • • • • •

Improves Asset Utilization Rates & Efficiency Eliminates Unplanned Downtime with Predictive Analytics Reduces Operating Expenses by 20–45% Increases process optimization metrics by 3–10% Decreases poor quality production & waste defects

SORBOTICS in its current state goes to market through channel partners and industrial system integrators that understand their customers’ business problems. AI and predictive analytics is a booming industry with a $14 trillion market-share opportunity to capitalize on and provide value. The SORBA software platform continues to position and differentiate itself amongst the IBMs, Siemens, and General Electrics of the world by focusing on delivering operational impact and economic value through:

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Yandy Perez serves as the President & CEO of SORBOTICS, LLC. He’s recognized by IEEE as one of the most influential and forward-thinking data scientists in the world. His thought leadership has drawn awareness on how to combine the world of industrial automation with cutting edge predictive analytics, Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence technologies. His extensive background and skills are in Machine Learning, Big Data, industrial automation, and AI. Yandy is a strong research professional with BSEE in Electrical Engineering, MS in Automation Control & Computer Systems, and in the last stretch of receiving his PhD in Machine Learning, all from Cuba’s globally renowned Central University of Las Villas.

• • •

•

End-to-End solutions: That Access, Aggregate and Analyze Data, Seamlessly, to Deliver Operational Efficiency Improvements Open platform: Interoperable Architecture/APIs for Improved Flexible Business System Integration Intelligence On The Edge: For the creation of Real-Time Machine Learning Models deployed to the edge, onto Assets, as a Virtual Operator to Prevent Mission Critical Downtime that allows equipment/ processes to self-diagnose themselves. Own The Data: AI Automation Tool Used by SMEs to Build their OWN Models to MAKE Failure Predictions.

•

• •

Optimize Costs: The software requires no data scientist or coding experience. Companies can reduce Costly Resource Intensive academia teams. Built for Engineers, Maintenance, and Operations Personnel to Derive VALUE from their DATA. Industrial platform: Industrial Automations 1st Big Data End-To-End Solution for AI/IIoT EDGE Asset Intelligence. Unique Capability: Innovation Company Capable of Combining Sensor Data with Image Process Data to Build CONFIDENT Failure Prediction Models.

The SORBA technology has allowed us to capture a portion of a 9-figure-dollar opportunity in solving equipment reliability and process optimization issues over a multitude of use cases. GeorgiaPacific is achieving 5-6-figure ROI wins leveraging the SORBA technology in predicting a multitude of asset component level failures that can be replicated throughout our entire cellulose division of manufacturing. We now have the ability to enable our OT/IT infrastructure as AI IIoT ready enterprise and rapidly scale the SORBA technology over 33 plants here in North America within Koch Industries’ Georgia-Pacific Portfolio. sales@sorbasoft.com sorbotics.com

—Roshan Shah, Director of CSC Operations & Advanced Analytics

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HEALTHCARE 76

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“The uncreative mind can spot wrong answers, but it takes a very creative mind to spot wrong questions.” – ANTONY JAY

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BAPTIST MD ANDERSON CANCER CENTER

Bringing together world-renowned expertise, innovation, and patient-centered care in one destination.

Beating cancer demands the extraordinary. That’s why Baptist Health,

Integrated, highly coordinated patientcentered care

Northeast Florida’s preferred healthcare provider, and MD Anderson Cancer

Baptist MD Anderson is organized into 10 cancer

Center, the No. 1-ranked cancer center in

clinics, each treating specific types of cancer. To provide

America, created a destination for cancer

multidisciplinary support, the Baptist MD Anderson

treatment that is second to none.

team meets weekly, allowing cancer experts in different clinical areas to collaborate on each patient’s

Jacksonville, Florida, is now the only

unique case and identify the best treatment approach.

location in the Southeast with a center reflecting the MD Anderson model of

Dedicated nurse navigators work closely with patients,

care, using the same multidisciplinary

guiding them through their first visit and serving as a

approach, advanced technology, and

single point of contact throughout their care.

leading-edge treatments available in

Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center takes a whole-

Houston.

person approach to care and provides support services for the body, mind, and spirit—including pastoral care, counseling, nutrition, social services, and art therapy, among others.

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Bringing technology and research together Baptist MD Anderson uses the most advanced technology and research in the fight against cancer. Through partnership with MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Baptist MD Anderson offers patients access to the latest clinical trials and new targeted therapies.

Art enriches our healing environment To create an uplifting, healing environment, original art is displayed throughout the 333,000-square-foot, 9-story center. The collection features more than 700 works in a variety of mediums, styles, and techniques.

“We believe that patients throughout the Southeast, the nation, and the world deserve the scope and scale of cancer care that a partnership with MD Anderson provides,” said Bill Putnam, MD, FACS, Medical Director at Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center. “This advanced cancer treatment facility ensures that residents never need to leave the region to access the high-quality cancer care they deserve.”

Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center 1301 Palm Avenue Jacksonville, FL 32207 +1-844-632-2278 BaptistMDAnderson.com

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FORCURA

Craig Mandeville, CEO of Jacksonville, Florida–based healthcare technology provider Forcura, founded his company for personal reasons, hoping to lessen the time his wife spent driving back and forth to her employer’s home-healthcare agency. In her role at the time, Heather Mandeville helped patients who were leaving a hospital transition into a home-health setting. The paper-based documentation that process required meant she spent much of her time coordinating with doctors and hospital administrators, collecting signatures, and driving that paperwork back and forth to her company’s office. Using technology, Mandeville has helped Heather’s agency as well as the more than 12,000 home-health agencies across the US streamline that undertaking. Along the way, Forcura has changed the lives of millions of healthcare consumers and the people who care for them.

faxing paperwork, and making it all electronic. The sheer amount of manual home health and hospice intake paperwork and the massive opportunity to streamline the process by taking it digital was the main reason Forcura’s first offering was so well received, says Mandeville. The company’s earliest customers saw at least a 60% reduction in time spent on tasks such as sending, receiving, and tracking documents, he says, so caregivers in the field could finally spend more time actually interacting with patients. “When you think about home healthcare, the documentation process is very cumbersome. They have a lot of required assessments that drive clinical decisions and financial reimbursement,” explains Seema Mathur, director of strategy at healthcare research firm Sage Growth Partners. “A lot of that is done on paper. Without automation, communication and collaboration can be disjointed.”

Forcura launched in 2012 with a single web-based document-management application that streamlined the referral management and intake process for home-health agencies nationwide. Designed specifically for the complexity of home-health and hospice agencies, the application helped caregivers and back-office workers by eliminating the need for mailing and

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“I’ve been working here for almost five years and one of the reasons I love it so much is the fact that I feel like my work is truly a second home,” says Charlie Flynn, Partnership Manager, who joined the company in April 2014. “It’s like everyone has a seat at the table. We’re all welcome and encouraged to provide feedback, make suggestions, and really own a piece of this business.”

clinicians to capture documents, images, and videos digitally, securely communicate, and capture clinical images and measurements of wounds. In 2018, Forcura announced Forcura Connect, a framework for standardizing interoperability and integration between postacute providers and providers in other parts of the healthcare continuum. In 2019 the company is committed to pushing the industry from documents to actionable data and is planning the release of several new features that will make that transition for enterprise home-health and hospice agencies as easy as the push of a button. These applications all came into existence at a time when the Federal Government had its sights on similar economies. Care providers in 2014 were required to use electronic health records (EHRs) in a meaningful way to improve patient care. This mandate came down after doctors, hospitals, and other healthcare practices received $28 billion in federal stimulus money. However, this mandate wasn’t the panacea government experts had hoped it would be, since healthcare providers were still drowning in data and most of it was still on paper. This made their task difficult if not impossible until companies such as Forcura came along. Connecting People, Processes, and Profits While there’s something to be said about being in the right place at the right time, Forcura’s success is more complicated—and impressive— than just that. In the five years since Forcura’s launch, the company has grown significantly, posting triple-digit revenue growth. It is ranked 718 on the Inc. 5000 after more than doubling company revenue in 2017 alone. And its upward trajectory is on solid footing given the fact that the organization recently landed five industry partnerships—ones that put the company on

course to become the standard communication platform for the post-acute healthcare industry. Part of that success comes from its innovation and product launches—after all, Forcura’s applications are filling needs and helping to improve patient care—but Mandeville’s success can also be tied directly back to the way he treats his employees. New hires are onboarded knowing they are joining a team that has a “work hard, play hard” attitude. Every employee is schooled on the company’s core values—being passionate, bold, innovative, transparent, and fun—and employees are encouraged to seek a true work/life balance. “We hire the best and expect a lot out of our team and in turn, we are highly focused on being the best place to work in Jacksonville and beyond. We know that as a high-growth technology company, our culture is what’s going to allow us to continue to move fast and stand apart from the competition,” explains Mandeville. Forcura has deep ties to the community, too. It recently moved to a new office on the south side of Jacksonville, which is stocked with drinks from local vendors such as Brass Tacks Coffee, Gnarbucha Kombucha, and other local craft breweries. Its walls are adorned with photography of First Coast landmarks. Outside the office, Annie Erstling, Chief Strategy Officer, leads the company’s efforts to sponsor local nonprofit organizations such as PedsCare, Habitat for Humanity, St. John’s Santas for Seniors, the St. Vincent’s Shircliff Society, and Mission House. Other Florida-focused work includes a scholarship the company created for the University of North Florida as well as participation in the school’s mentorship program, two commitments that are important since college recruitment is a source of talent for the company. 81

And they do—literally. All employees are granted stock options from their first day at the job along with a 401K match. Other employee perks include group fitness activities, healthcare, and paid time off for new parents. It’s no wonder then that under Mandeville’s guidance, Forcura was recognized as a Best Place to work by Jacksonville Business Journal and made it onto similar lists sponsored by Florida Trend, Inc. Magazine, and Modern Healthcare. Going forward, Mandeville and his employees have their eyes set on achieving the company’s vision of being the standard communication platform for post-acute care providers. Providing true interoperability and data portability for all patients no matter which healthcare provider they turn to or where in the country they reside or travel to is the key to this success. “With Forcura we have developed a standard information platform that will help home-health and hospice agencies take patient and device data and combine it without having to do any heavy lifting,” says Mandeville. “When you standardize interoperability and integration between homehealth and hospice organizations, physicians, EHRs, and other supporting technology vendors, and give those players access to real actionable data, you elevate the standard of care and save time and improve lives.”

Forcura +1-800-378-0596 | Forcura forcura.com

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COMBATING THE EPIDEMIC OF STRESS WITH RESILITY HEALTH Resility Health is on a mission to reduce the negative physical and emotional effects of stress. Their innovative, data-driven stress-management program is personalized for each user. Resilityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wearable sensor trains people to recognize when their body is tensing up, and support from their coaches drives lasting behavior change. 82

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that group, so they launched a program for teens. Teenagers report higher stress levels than adults, and related mental-health problems like anxiety and depression are on the rise. Many children today are not learning positive coping skills and effective ways to manage their stress. “So many people are living in a constant state of stress and they’re not even aware of how it’s affecting them. It’s become the new normal,” said Davidson. “It takes a huge toll on our health and relationships, and we don’t realize it until it’s too late. Using Resility gives our bodies and minds a break from the stress and allows us to recover and become more resilient.” People can download the Resility Android or iOS mobile apps, and learn more about our programs at ResilityHealth.com.

Stress is an epidemic in today’s world, with 75% of Americans experiencing related physical and emotional symptoms. Resility was founded after Sarah Davidson, the CEO, suffered from chronic pain for years, not realizing it was because of stress. “So many people have stress-related health problems, and they waste time and money trying things that don’t help because they haven’t addressed their stress,” said Davidson. “People try mindfulness and just give up because it’s difficult and they can’t tell if it’s working. Stress management needs to be personalized for each individual, because the same techniques don’t necessarily work for everyone. We wanted to use technology and data to make it easier and more effective.” 7835 Bayberry Road | Jacksonville, FL 32256 +1-904-990-7581 resilityhealth resilityhealth.com

Resility launched its stress-management program for high-performing teams in 2018, but after some teenagers tried out the program with great results, they realized very quickly that there was a tremendous need for 83

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ELEVATOR PITCH Florida Blue, Florida’s Blue Cross and Blue Shield company, has been providing health insurance to residents of Florida for 75 years. Driven by its mission of helping people and communities achieve better health, the company serves more than five million healthcare members across the state. In total, Florida Blue and its affiliated companies serve 27 million people in 34 states. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, it is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

INNOVATION STORY Florida Blue has become a leader in the transformation of healthcare from a feefor-service model to one focused on value outcomes. Value-based healthcare is a healthcare delivery model in which providers, including hospitals and physicians, are reimbursed by insurers based on patient health outcomes. It differs from fee-for-service, in which providers are paid based on the amount of healthcare services they deliver.

The continued success of these programs is a testament to the power of the company’s strong provider relationships and its willingness to invest in innovation and growth. Florida Blue realized early on that it needed to leverage its leadership in the local market to address the fragmentation of the healthcare system and escalating costs. In response to these issues, it developed a strong foundation for value-based care and has since rapidly expanded these efforts. Providers can earn financial incentives based on the total cost of care for attributed patients after meeting quality goals. These include a variety of nationally recognized metrics related to preventive, chronic, and acute care. More than 10,000 providers participate in the company’s value-based arrangements, and these models impact care delivery for more than one million Florida Blue members.

The company has established 22 accountable care organizations (ACOs) and a statewide patient-centered medical home (PCMH) model delivering higherquality care at lower cost. ACOs and PCMHs are groups of doctors, hospitals, and other healthcare providers, who coordinate on high-quality care for their patients. The goal of coordinated care is to ensure that patients get the right care at the right time, while avoiding unnecessary duplication of services and preventing medical errors.

The programs rely on advanced technology and data sharing. For example, the company offers a robust provider portal that gives physicians access to information about gaps in care, utilization, patient treatment, and care plans. The portal helps providers track their performance and identify opportunities to improve care delivery. For example, practices receive timely clinical notifications about hospital admissions, discharges, and readmissions, which can drive effective transitions of care.

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PROGRAM OUTCOMES PCMH:

ACO:

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1.2% lower costs 7% fewer ER visits 4% lower hospital admissions 21% higher health-quality scores

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2.2% lower medical costs 6% fewer ER visits 5% lower hospital admissions 6% higher cervical cancer screenings

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ELEVATOR PITCH GuideWell is a nonprofit, mission-driven family of companies dedicated to helping people and communities achieve better health. As a healthsolutions enterprise, we work to keep care affordable, accessible, and consumer-centered through payer, care delivery, marketing, and government-based businesses.

INNOVATION STORY With roots in Florida going back 75 years, GuideWell has a profound understanding of the health industry and can read change over time. As an employer with 12,400 employees in 34 states, we strive to attract the best talent. As a federally regulated organization, we service stakeholders with agility because laws, policies, and reimbursements are uncertain and dynamic.

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In this environment, the need to innovate isn’t optional—it’s essential. To outperform what non-health companies like Amazon and Apple promise, GuideWell delivers by developing tools, processes, and relationships that solve stakeholder problems such as: • Streamlining member service interactions: Until 2017, our payer’s service associates were forced to access information from 24 different sources, leaving our employees frustrated and our members waiting too long for issues to be resolved. An internal team stood up a humancentered design prototype in five months and launched at month six an entirely new interface that’s made service interactions more efficient and satisfying. • Bringing care into the home: Our acquisition of PopHealth Care allows us to provide hands-on, high-value care in the home for members with acute care needs. This helps keep consumers healthier—and out of the hospital—which makes healthcare costs lower for everyone. • Making information more accessible: “Flora” is our AI-backed, voicebased service platform that gives consumers easy access to answers they might have otherwise needed to find online or call to retrieve. • Delivering culturally-competent care: Nothing is quite as personal as your health, which is why we partnered with ColSanitas out of South America to open medical clinics in south and central Florida. These clinics offer comprehensive, integrated care for Hispanic communities.

Success today does not guarantee relevance tomorrow. At GuideWell, our “consumer obsession” creates a dynamic tension that pushes us to reinvent products, build partnerships, and source solutions that solve stakeholders’ problems and maintain our market-leading position in the health industry.

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BLUEWAVE TECHNOLOGIES, INC. Created in 2015 company, BLUEWAVE Technologies is a health-tech startup that started out of the University of Florida’s Innovation Hub.

BLUEWAVE Technologies is a health-tech startup and the creator of the BLUEWAVE, a device that can deodorize items with its proprietary ozone infusion technology in as little as 5 minutes, without using any water, detergents, or added chemicals. The device is completely closed loop and filters out all of the excess ozone at the end of the cycle, making it safe to use anywhere. It has achieved kills against MRSA and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in independent lab tests—not only on hard surfaces, but also through porous materials— and the company is currently working to complete their antibacterial efficacy claims. The co-founders, Kenneth Cherisol, Miles Clark, and Justin Zhou, previously worked together at a high-tech battery startup and have been working together for over ten years. BLUEWAVE Technologies is a portfolio company of Jacksonville’s PS27 Ventures and has since started its own manufacturing facility near Orlando, as well as having an office in New York City.

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BLUEWAVE Technologies’ goal is to revolutionize the way clinicians can treat orthotic and prosthetic devices to increase the quality of the work environment and patient satisfaction.

“Since using BLUEWAVE, we’ve been able to make even some of the more odorous patient items look and feel like they are brand new.”

They are currently in orthotic and prosthetic clinics and are now expanding to orthopedics, physical therapy, and sports medicine. The BLUEWAVE device can quickly deodorize items in these markets that other solutions cannot treat, leaving both clinicians and patients ecstatic with the results. “Since using BLUEWAVE, we’ve been able to make even some of the more odorous patient items look and feel like they are brand new. Also by making things smell better, patients are not self-conscious and they are more inclined to improve their compliance and not feel like they dislike the orthosis because it smells. Prosthetic patients always comment about the smell of liners or their prosthesis so it’s great to be able to freshen everything and make them feel better and less self-conscious,” said Brittany Stresing, Owner of Limbonics. 89

BLUEWAVE Technologies mybluewave.com

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travel healthcare accelerated Kamana brings workflow efficiency and security to an antiquated industry.

Connecting healthcare employers with qualified professionals to fill contract staffing needs. LEARN MORE: kamanahealth.com

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The contract healthcare staffing industry is fundamentally flawed. Travel healthcare professionals, who change locations (and employers) every three months, consistently complain about the lack of continuity across the industry. Employers and recruiters lament about repetitive manual tasks and lack of automation in their workflows. Staffing agencies and healthcare facilities are experiencing explosive growth in this industry, but are unable to maximize talent management processes in a truly profitable—or efficient— way. Kamana co-founder and Jacksonville native John Modica spent the past five years as an ER travel nurse in hospitals across the nation. As he searched for new contracts, John became bombarded with offers for positions that didn’t match his qualifications, experience, or work preferences. Additionally, he was tired of repetitive, time-consuming processes that come with quarterly job-changing. After a dead-end search for a better way to manage his career, he decided to create the solution himself. In the months that followed, John and his co-founders launched Kamana: an online platform for contract healthcare professionals and their recruiters/employers to connect, engage, and manage their careers far more efficiently.

Matching algorithms swiftly connect nurses to available employers with jobs they’re actually qualified for. In-app messaging streamlines an otherwise fragmented, ineffective, days-long onboarding process. Through Kamana, nurses can now manage a single professional portfolio to rapidly share with any recruiter, at any staffing agency, giving both users a competitive edge in an extremely fast-moving hiring market. Having a single professional profile and credential management platform gives healthcare talent more time to build relationships with the right employers—and spend far less time searching for them. Employers rejoice at the submission-ready documentation Kamana provides, and the speed at which onboarding can now take place. Using Kamana’s software as a service (SaaS) product means enhanced internal security. As a Kamana user, recruiters gain a competitive edge in a market where talent are seeking employers who innovate with tech-driven processes that provide them with total control. Kamana is heavily rooted in Jacksonville, and is excited to join the wave of innovation across the city. Three of their founders are Jacksonville natives. Dave currently resides in Denver, CO; Nick in Richmond, VA (with Kiere); and John has recently settled back in Riverside after years as a travel nurse.

Dave Dworschak

Chief Executive Officer

Nick Toce

Chief Design Officer

Looking ahead: The demand for flexible employment is on the rise across the globe, and healthcare is no exception. Today’s solutions do not support the workforce of tomorrow. Kamana is reimagining this industry, and positioning itself as the central point of operational efficiency—getting healthcare workers where they need to go, when they need to be there. Through Kamana’s tech-driven solutions, eliminating financial waste in an extremely manual industry is finally a realistic opportunity. 91

Kiere El Shafie

Chief Technology Officer

John Modica

Chief Customer Officer

kamanahealth.com @kamanahealth

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SOCIAL & COMMUNITY

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“When the winds of change blow, some people build walls and others build windmills.” – ANCIENT CHINESE PROVERB

Photo - Jane Shirek Photography

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THE POLICE ATHLETIC LEAGUE OF JACKSONVILLE, INC. (JAXPAL) ELEVATOR PITCH The Police Athletic League of Jacksonville, Inc. (JaxPAL) enriches the lives of children by creating positive relationships between law enforcement officers and the youth of our community through education, athletic, leadership, and outreach programs.

THE STORY It only takes one moment to change the trajectory of a life. Years ago, a 16-year-old girl walked into the JaxPAL Northside Center with her two-year-old son searching for hope and acceptance. This girl, while resilient, was broken, depressed, and angry. She had suffered as a victim of child sexual abuse at the age of 11. Seeking an outlet for her pain, she started skipping classes, getting into fights, and cursing at her teachers. Desperate to end the molestation and abuse, she finally had the courage to tell authorities what had been occurring for years. From that moment, things would never be the same as she and her baby never returned home. The abuse left her empty, lonely and without hope. Low self-esteem caused her to look for love in all the wrong places. She began to hang out with the 94

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experience to spearhead an organization that is working to ensure that every child in Jacksonville, regardless of their situation, has the opportunity for a bright, successful future! JaxPAL’s guiding purpose has always been—and will always be—to foster positive relationships between law enforcement officers and the children in our community. While the purpose has remained the same over the years, JaxPAL’s strategies to achieve that purpose have adapted to the changing needs of the children in our community. What started out as engaging kids through sports has evolved over the years into a focus on providing comprehensive wrap around services for our community’s youth and their families. After-school, summer camp, outreach, and leadership development programs are just some of the many opportunities, in addition to athletics, that JaxPAL provides for more than 4,700 local youth every year. Through its programs, JaxPAL is taking an innovative, holistic approach to ensure kids are given the social supports—such as safety education, character building, nutritious meals, mentorship, age-and-gender-specific programs, and access to mental health counselors—they need to thrive in school and life. JaxPAL is committed to providing innovative, creative, and impactful programs that enrich the lives of children in our community. JaxPAL always strives to ensure that every child, no matter his or her circumstances, who comes to JaxPAL becomes a Leader for Life!

wrong crowd, which led to an encounter with a police officer. Surprisingly this encounter—which should have resulted in a trip to the juvenile detention facility—instead resulted in an invitation to visit JaxPAL. He could see that she was burdened with life challenges that were far beyond the scope of the average teenager and he knew PAL would be good for her. Just like that, a life was changed. She didn’t know it at the time, but the minute she walked through the doors, her life was set on a new trajectory. JaxPAL fostered in her a love for the game of basketball but also provided her with the support she needed to love herself and start turning her life around. Using the skills she learned at JaxPAL—and her own hard work— she later earned a full scholarship to the University of Central Florida to play basketball where she studied criminal justice. After serving as a police officer for 16 years, Lakesha Burton’s life came full circle when she was appointed as the Executive Director of JaxPAL in 2015. The first woman to lead the organization in its history. For Lakesha, JaxPAL offered an opportunity to cultivate hopes and dreams. As the Executive Director of JaxPAL and the Assistant Chief of Community Engagement for the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, Chief Burton uses her own

3450 Monument Rd Jacksonville, FL 32225 +1-904-854-6555 jaxpal | jax_pal jaxpal.com 95

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RETHREADED

THE STORY Human trafficking is a $150 billion global industry and a form of modernday slavery that subjects women, children, and men to force, fraud, and coercion for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation or forced labor. More than 90% of women in the industry want to leave it but lack access to resources and employment that would enable them to do so.

ELEVATOR PITCH Rethreaded provides a second chance at life through employment for survivors of human trafficking. Women have employment opportunities in different facets of the company, including production, inventory, sales, marketing, and finance/admin. Through its own enterprise and its distribution company that partners with like-minded businesses, Rethreaded’s mission is to renew hope, reignite dreams, and release potential for survivors of human trafficking locally and globally through business.

Kristin Keen, Rethreaded’s founder, learned these facts from firsthand experience as she formed relationships with imprisoned women and with women on the street. She realized that the greatest need was for a safe, supportive work environment where the women could earn money while learning a skill and experiencing continued healing through community. 96

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Working in partnership with the City Rescue Mission of Jacksonville, Rethreaded hired its first full-time employee in November 2012. Rethreaded produces and sells goods handcrafted by survivors, from jewelry and accessories to leather purses and home decor and pet products. While survivors assist with the production of these beautiful products, they also find employment within Rethreaded in inventory, sales, marketing, and finance/admin. In Jacksonville alone, Rethreaded has helped over 46 women survivors of human trafficking and provided over 65,000 hours of work. And their formula is strong; 85% of those who come to Rethreaded never return to the trade. Further afield, and thanks to Rethreaded’s Freedom Business Partners—like-minded businesses across the globe—the company has helped over 4,000 women. Rethreaded’s products are as beautiful as its mission, adding even greater value for those who support the business with their purchases. In a recent partnership with Southwest Airlines®, Rethreaded created handbags and jewelry from the recycled leather of retired Southwest Airlines® seat covers. Through its corporate line, Gifts of Hope, companies can purchase gift boxes or customize their own. The boxes include coffee and mugs, leather goods (from handbags to journals), and foodstuffs like salsa, soup mixes, and specialty spices.

Community partners include Southwest Airlines®, Stein Mart, Health Designs, RF-Smart, Continuwell, Fetner & Hartigan, Edwards & Cavendish, Advos, Load King, Jacksonville Dance Theatre, and Jesse & Lex Wedding Co. “A common assumption is that once a survivor of human trafficking is freed from that lifestyle, they can move on and begin to rebuild their lives immediately. All too often we come to realize that is not completely true and is harder than it seems,” says Renata Bryan, Rethreaded’s Finance and Administration Lead, who is a human trafficking survivor.

Products included in the Gifts of Hope line are often from Rethreaded’s Freedom Business Partners, organizations all over the world whose missions align with Rethreaded’s. Purpose Jewelry in Mumbai and Orange County, JOYN in Rajpur, Rahab’s Rope in Bangalore, Sari Bari in Kolkata, Sak Saum in Cambodia, Badala in East Africa, Nica Life in Nicaragua, Fashionable in Ethiopia and Nashville, and Basha in Bangladesh are Rethreaded’s partners abroad. American partners include Thistle Farms in Nashville, Women’s Bean Project in Denver, and Social Grounds, which is also in Jacksonville.

Employment with Rethreaded is often the first step for women working to rebuild their lives, while Rethreaded’s community partnerships help its employees cross other bridges, giving them what they need to transition fully into a new life.

You can read more on our mission here: rethreaded.com/pages/the-mission +1-904-438-8109 | rethreaded

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ELEVATOR PITCH Apple Rose Beauty is a natural skincare company that creates spa-quality organic beauty products with the tangible mission of supporting the fight to end human trafficking. Products are sold on Amazon, at boutiques, and through an e-commerce website with ingredients that are natural, certified organic, and wildcrafted, with a focus on providing the most effective solutions, in the healthiest way possible, without the harmful effects of harsh chemicals and fillers. The Apple Rose Beauty line of products is made specifically for all skin types and ethnicities, tackling tough skin issues such as acne, aging, and oily as well as dry skin. The product line includes serums, face masks, moisturizers, and cleansers. 98

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THE STORY Founder and CEO Kristy Alexander started Apple Rose Beauty after meeting two actual victims of human trafficking, Apple and Rose, during a visit to Thailand in 2014. Alexander decided to leave behind a decade-long career in engineering, business, and management to partake in the 11-month, 11-country mission that transformed her life forever. During her journey to 11 countries, Alexander interacted with human trafficking victims who changed her life’s mission and, upon returning to Jacksonville, her goal was to create options and opportunities for these brave souls.

“I always say that chemistry is my first love. I was 15 years old when, in chemistry class, we analyzed face powder. At that moment I wrote a ‘life plan’ to one day start a company that manufactured cosmetic products,” remembers Alexander. Apple Rose Beauty products are made from ingredients such as turmeric, coconut, and cayenne pepper, which trigger fond childhood memories for Alexander, as she was born and raised in Trinidad and Tobago. She has also collaborated with companies she met on her mission, which are at the forefront when it comes to battling the human trafficking problem. The Apple Rose Beauty e-commerce website is like no other website, in that it has several conveniences, which offer flexibility to customers, who can decide when, how, and what products they would like to get for their skins’ specific needs. The website also uses an innovative one-to-one model, which states that with every product purchased, a survivor gets to do one hour of meaningful work through Apple Rose Beauty or its partners. With Alexander having been selected as Small Business Leader of the Year for the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce Entrepreneurial Growth Division and her Apple Rose Beauty products launching in the Market at Macy’s in Lenox Square, Atlanta, Georgia, 2019 is off to a good start. Apple Rose +1-877-742-3727 | applerosebeauty applerosebeauty.com 99

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“The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man.” – GEORGE BERNARD SHAW

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INVENTORY SOURCE

Headquartered in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, Inventory Source is an industryleading and longest-running dropship automation tech company paving the way for cutting-edge e-commerce automation and fulfillment services. Inventory Source was brought to life in 2002 by seasoned e-commerce experts that believed small and medium-sized online-business owners could achieve success if they had access to the same innovative technological resources of large brick-and-mortar operations. The company locally employs 15 people converging from varied backgrounds of expertise that has helped the company pioneer the way for dropship data automation and distinguished e-commerce operations. With a unique office location overlooking the ocean, this is not your typical corporate setting, so donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be surprised if you see multiple employee surfboards propped up around the office. Inventory Source not only has customers from all over the world but has also worked with several companies located right here in Jacksonville, including Army Navy Outdoors. Army Navy Outdoors decided to go fully e-commerce with their business, and Inventory Source helped make that happen by automating their inventory and order fulfillment operations.

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“With Inventory Source, we can now do much more order processing with fewer people. We went from two people to one person managing orders while over the same period of time our orders were doubling,” said Peter Litsky, Army Navy Outdoors.

features. The company allows and encourages employees the freedom to come up with their own initiatives to meet designated goals instead of just going through the motions daily—there is never a dull moment. The new software has already made an early mark in the industry by servicing large-profile clients, such as JessicaSimpson.com.

Within the past year, Inventory Source expanded into a new market of nextgeneration e-commerce software by introducing Flxpoint, an enterprise dropship automation software. By having an already extensive background in e-commerce automation and fulfillment, Inventory Source took software innovation to the next level with Flxpoint by providing flexible, custom inventory, and order-management workflows.

“We have complex dropshipping needs that require an individualized approach for each of our licensee partners. The Flxpoint team has been able to assess and execute the best solution from complex EDI integrations to utilizing the Flxpoint Vendor Portal for quick onboarding,” says Laurie Mucciolo, JessicaSimpson.com. “They are extremely responsive and committed to our partnership, continually finding solutions for our unique needs as we encounter them.”

“Flxpoint was built by the same team who redesigned the Inventory Source platform in 2018. While redesigning, the team found opportunities to fill in gaps in our own solutions as well as other software in the market, such as customers’ needs to run an all-encompassing dropship business on both sides of the spectrum from both the supplier and the reseller perspectives,” said Kelly Dyer, CEO. “We needed a platform that was flexible enough for both suppliers and resellers to easily share data without the need for a developer, and that’s what Flxpoint offers.”

Inventory Source is forging ahead as an e-commerce innovator in Jacksonville and plans to continue to disrupt the industry for years to come.

Inventory Source inventorysource | inventory_source inventorysource | inventorysource-com inventorysource.com

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LEGACYSHIELD

LegacyShield® helps consumers, through their advisors, organize and share the right information with the right people at the right time®. Through its highly secure, lifetime, military-grade platform, consumers are able to store all of their important information and decide to share that information now or based on an event such as incapacity, disability, or death. Consumers using LegacyShield’s services are able to provide clarity to loved ones and pass on valuables and values in the form of information, memories, recipes, and stories. LegacyShield® started through the founders’ personal experiences—both experienced the effects of their families not having a system in place. Through no fault of their own, Michael’s and Dan’s families just did not even know about the realities of improper planning—nor would they have had the resources to implement a plan if they had known. With about two decades of experience in the financial services industry each, Michael Babikian and Dan Pierson both saw how affluent individuals had access to many resources that most families didn’t have or know about, and they decided to do something about it. Using technology and their vast experience, Michael and Dan created LegacyShield with a mission to protect every family. LegacyShield has grown significantly since its beginning, now offering a complete set of tools called Life’s Mission Control®. Now, consumers receive access to MyLegacy, which includes a lifetime digital vault called MyVault; MyAccounts to record and store all of one’s online and offline accounts; MyWishes to document one’s final wishes; and MyLife Stories to pass on one’s life’s stories, lessons, traditions, and recipes.

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Life’s Mission Control® also includes an intuitive AI-driven basic estate plan with access to LegacyShield’s professional network of over 70 attorneys to provide guidance. The LegacyShield platform also includes MyFinancial View to consolidate financial accounts and a set of calculators to aid in important financial decisions.

Helping consumers, through their advisors, organize and share the right information with the right people at the right time®.

To date, LegacyShield has been featured on Fox, CBS, and ABC and is offered through several organizations like SBLI, SafeMoney, Females & Finance, and Quotacy. Find out more by visiting our Facebook page, LinkedIn page, or website. LegacyShield® 100 Executive Way, Suite 105 Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082 +1-855-654-7674 mylegacyshield legacyshield.com 105

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BOLD CITY BOTS

WHO WE HELP Bold City Bots was founded in 2017 to provide solutions for small businesses in Jacksonville that struggle with or are too short-staffed to answer each email or message with their customers and prospective customers on platforms like Facebook Messenger, Instagram, or LinkedIn. 39% of people that message a company on social-media channels expect a response within an hour. Chatbots represent a new trend in how people access information, make decisions, and communicate.

WHO WE ARE Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re made up of 1 kick-ass Developer and 2 Sales & Marketing partners with over 20 years of experience in UX Design, Digital Marketing, and Sales Strategy. One of us makes some really good cocktails, too! Our mission is simple and straightforward. We hate seeing small businesses lose customer opportunities by not being available or not having more efficient engagement & support methods. People still spend 2â&#x20AC;&#x201C;6 hours a day on social and are spending more there now than ever before with 2.3 billion messages sent between businesses and consumers on Facebook Messenger every month. 106

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WHAT WE DO Our team focuses on guiding and assisting businesses in enhancing, automating, and scaling their communication efforts like never before. Using automated messaging systems called Chatbots and a new strategy, Messenger Marketing, we reach your customer where they are (hint ... it’s not their email inbox) with messages they want to hear.

THE INDUSTRY AND WHERE WE FIT IBM’s Watson was one of the first well-known chatbots in the world when it debuted in 2010. Since then chat applications have been at the forefront of customer engagement for numerous enterprises in nearly every industry from banking to beauty. IBM reported in 2017 that Chatbots will be responsible for cost savings of $8 billion annually by 2022. I think we’ve done a great job at bringing this bigbox tech to small business owners without the huge IBM price tag. assistant Alana now answers questions instantly, gives a swipe view of their menu, promotes their loyalty program, and books reservations with ease. As a service we also deliver monthly marketing campaigns for Facebook Messenger and manage up to $10,000 in monthly Facebook ad spend for our clients.

This year we collaborated with Danny Monzon and DM Digital to design and develop the popular bilingual restaurant chatbot for Si Senor Fresh Mex, one of TripAdvisor’s top Mexican Restaurants in Jacksonville. With a pretty small staff, they weren’t able to answer each email, Facebook message, or Instagram DM they received. Sometimes they would go unanswered for a few days. Their chatbot

WHAT’S THE FUTURE HOLD In March our whole team got certified and became agency partner with San Diego–based tech company ManyChat Inc. They’re Facebook’s preferred chatbot-development platform as of 2018 and have been developing amazing software that help us deliver for our clients. In 2020 we look to bring our partners to Jacksonville to educate more and more small business owners about the power of chatbots, automation, and personalized marketing communication.

Bold City Bots Asmar Gary, Founder & CEO +1-904-574-6313 engage@boldcitybots.com boldcitybots 107

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CLOSING BEAR

ELEVATOR PITCH Closing Bear is a fast-paced title company that offers title insurance and closings for anyone buying or selling real estate. Simply put, Closing Bear does all the paperwork when someone buys or sells property ... but they do it better than anyone else.

OUR STORY Closing Bear launched in June 2019 and has quickly become the fastest-growing title company in Jacksonville. By infusing modern technology and practices into an age-old industry, Closing Bear has positioned itself as the most innovative company in its market. “We were founded on the idea that the real estate industry and current title companies had become stagnant, complacent, and primed for disruption,” said Chip Lynn, CEO/Managing Attorney. There are several challenges to energizing customers in this market. Real estate laws are tedious and complicated, and outside of the latest HGTV show, real estate in the real world isn’t terribly “sexy.” So, Closing Bear undertook to create an offering that educates customers and makes it fun and engaging at the same time.

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SOLE FOCUS

TECHNOLOGY

There are dozens of title companies in Jacksonville, but most people couldn’t name one. A big reason for that is other title companies merely treat closings as an additional revenue stream to their law firms. Look closely, and you’ll see that the vast majority of title companies are just extensions of law firms. But Closing Bear is not affiliated with any law firm, and its only business is closing real estate deals. If a customer calls one of the Closing Bear attorneys, they are always available, unlike other attorneys who could be in court, or doing other tasks that would take them away from their closings.

There are some big rollouts about to happen with Closing Bear and tech, but most are still being held close to the vest. Closing Bear is at the forefront of Remote Online Notarization and can confirm that beginning January 1, 2020, their customers will be able to sign their closing documents remotely 24/7 via online notaries. “We are leveraging third-party technologies through our strategic partners so that our customers have the choice of closing their deal in one of our offices, while on vacation, or at home in their pajamas!” said Lynn. These steps are the core model of how Closing Bear adds value to its customers.

EDUCATION In addition to teaching classes to realtors throughout Jacksonville, Closing Bear started a YouTube channel with educational content so each customer can learn about key issues for their deal in short, engaging videos. “We will continue filming ongoing content for our customers, but some current videos discuss how to read their financials, who has to sign the mortgage, and the dangers of wire fraud,” said Lynn.

TESTIMONIALS “Chip is the absolute BEST real estate attorney in Northeast Florida! He makes closings fun, entertaining, and informative for the customers. The staff is always incredible. Closing Bear is great from start to finish! I highly recommend them to all my customers, friends, and family!” —Jordan Feria “Chip Lynn and his staff are point-blank the best in the business. Closing Bear is where I do all my closings because they are dependable, communicative, attentive, and provide worldclass customer service. I trust no other Title Company to guide my customers through the real estate process step by step.” —Kyle Draper: The Great American Realtor “Chip Lynn closed three homes for us over the past two years, and everything went perfectly! Chip is fanatic about responding to emails and calls—even returning a call to me once while he was at Yankee Stadium. Perfect paperwork, great communication—oh, and he educated us about tax portability—saving us tax dollars with our new home. We would not consider working with anyone else!” —Christine DiPatre

To join the fun, check out Closing Bear: ClosingBear Chip@ClosingBear.com +1-904-738-1672 closingbear.com 109

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THE POSITIVE LIFE COMPANY In a world of chaos, our happiness is being tested everyday. According to the World Happiness Report, the United States is the unhappiest it has ever been. Finding innovative ways to protect and sustain our happiness levels is the basis of The Positive Life Company.

We believe that, through science, we can understand how the human brain processes information, experiences, and emotions. Understanding this allows you to successfully and effectively create happiness from within. The Positive Life Company, co-founded by Jacksonville Beach resident Amy Dix, is a life-changing community that brings like-minded people together to make a difference in the world. Based on Amy’s No. 1 international bestselling book, Seven More Days, The Positive Life Company explores three pillars of life in which happiness is built on: Character, Connections, Community. The Positive Life Company develops communities around the world to spread this message. A +LifeCo community is not about networking, it’s about connection. It’s about self-growth. It’s about creating an impact in your community. It teaches its members how to “Crush Life” so you can achieve anything you want to achieve through positivity and happiness. Not only does The Positive Life Company inspire individuals, but it also elevates companies through creating happy and productive employees with its “Positive, Joyful, and Productive Workplace” workshop.

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Best known for its 5-Day Positivity Challenge, The Positive Life Company, takes you on a ride of innovative ways towards self-growth, creative strategies on developing deep connections, and impactful ways to create positive change in the world. The Positive Life Community comes together as goal-crushing, crazy-happy, positive people who are determined to make a difference.

Meet Amy Dix Two-time No. 1 international bestselling author | International speaker | Co-founder of The Positive Life Company

“I am not afraid to die.” These six words changed the trajectory of Amy’s life and mission when her mom said this to her after being diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. Amy searched to find the silver lining within the tragic circumstances. She knew the end of her mom’s life was near, and she became more and more heartbroken as this reality set in. To make the distressing situation even worse, Amy’s mom was quickly losing the ability to communicate. Amy realized she would not have any more meaningful conversations with her mom or receive last words of wisdom. Amy felt like she had so many questions for her mom that would go unanswered. But the lessons Amy so badly wanted to learn from her mom didn’t require a conversation at all. Through her own example, Amy’s mom already taught Amy the best lesson of all: How to live a simple, positive, and authentic life. This led Amy to study positive psychology and share the science of positivity and happiness with the world. Amy now brings this message to the stage as an award-winning, international motivational speaker and through her bestselling book, Seven More Days: Live a Life That Is Bursting With Positivity and Happiness ... Before It’s Too Late!

The Positive Life Company happy@thepositivelifeco.com thepositivelifeco thepositivelifeco.com 111

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“You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.” – MAYA ANGELOU

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EMPOWER. EDUCATE. ELEVATE.

One entrepreneur is looking to encourage young students to become first generation college graduates with an online shop, BlendedDesigns. com. Encouraging students with backpacks that say, “I can do anything,” founder and CEO Casey Kelley is on a mission to empower the community with uplifting messages. Casey Kelley is a mom, an entrepreneur, and an advocate for inclusion. When her son Carter was shopping for a back to school backpack, she couldn’t find any character backpacks that looked like her son. Carter Mitchell asked his mom to create a backpack that looked like him. Kelley created the bag and realized that there was a void in the market for backpacks that featured children of color. Through social media, Blended Designs grew a following of supporters including celebrity endorsements and sold out during their first year.

When shopping for back to school supplies, more consumers are turning to online shopping instead of going to the mall.

“We forecasted that we would sell 1,000 units and we did 6,300,” said Kelley. “People believe in our products.”

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Since then, Kelley has expanded their backpack line to include 10 different characters and included a new name for the company’s back to school line. Blended Designs has been featured in Forbes, Essence, Black Enterprise, and endorsed by dozens of celebrities in Hollywood. Their back to school products like backpacks, lunch bags, and pencil cases will all fall under the brand name 1954.

“We thought about how the back to school category lacks representation for people of color. We also wanted it tied to education. Earlier this year, we made the decision to call the line 1954™ to pay homage to the landmark Supreme Court decision on May 17, 1954,” said Kelley. It’s not just about money. It’s not just about selling backpacks. It’s about empowering these kids. It’s about changing the narrative that society has of these kids and spreading the message ‘I can do anything.’” To support Kelley and Blended Designs you can visit BlendedDesigns.com or follow @BlendedDesigns on social media.

Blended Designs 8182 Baymeadows Way W. | Jacksonville, FL 32256 +1-833-237-7823 BlendedDesignsLLC blended-designs | blendeddesigns blendeddesigns.com 115

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ELEVATOR PITCH

THE STORY

“Every woman deserves to feel beautiful; every woman deserves to feel safe; every woman deserves to feel happy” is the motto at Sparkle & Sabre, a small jewelry company specializing in stylish pieces that boost wearers’ sense of security and well-being. With a majority of available self-defense products focusing on function over form and failing to accommodate women’s unique set of needs and challenges, Sparkle & Sabre takes a different approach. Our jewelry uses beauty and mindfulness to promote female empowerment and safety by providing women with self-defense and emergency tools that they actually want to wear and that fit seamlessly into their routine and style!

In 2017, Sparkle & Sabre founder Jess Goodkind celebrated her birthday with friends. After the festivities, she called a ride-share service and stepped outside to meet her ride. In a split second, a large man grabbed her, twisting his arm around hers, preventing her from reaching her handbag and phone. He dragged her away, her screams drowned out by loud sounds of a city Friday night. With his tight grip around her, she could barely move, let alone reach her phone to call 911 or to use her “personal safety-alarm keychain.” As he took her down a dark, secluded alley, her fear intensified; she knew how these stories ended ....

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Jess was very lucky. Her driver noticed her GPS location changed and thought the situation seemed unusual. If the driver had not showed up down the alley, who knows what could have happened. Jess escaped, but was left terrified and traumatized. She searched for a product to make her feel safe, something wearable on her body and not in her handbag, but found few options. A hobbyist jewelry-maker, she designed something that met her needs: a discreet, functional self-defense tool she would want to wear so she would never forget to bring it! Thus, the “Not ToKnife” Self-Defense Lariat was created, bringing a female touch to the self-defense market. Made from high-quality metals with beautiful stones and charms, “Not ToKnife” lariats are a welcome addition to women’s outfits. Hidden at the end of the lariat is a one-inch foldable blade, useful for emergencies or a last line of self-defense. “Not ToKnife” necklaces use magnetic closures, ensuring they can be removed quickly and easily when you need them. Sparkle & Sabre is changing the way women think about personal safety, making defense options that are beautiful, functional, and accessible!

MEET OUR FOUNDER Jess Goodkind is the creator of Sparkle & Sabre. Her jewelry-making started as a stress-relieving hobby and transformed into a business committed to helping others. Her pieces reflect a mixture of her diverse and eclectic style, which is influenced by her heritage and international travels. She designs pieces that are not only beautiful and unique, but functional and safe. Jess envisions herself donating to or partnering with women’s safety and victims’ advocacy campaigns once her small business takes off. In addition to running Sparkle & Sabre, Jess works full-time at a Jacksonville nonprofit as a Grants and Research Manager.

Sparkle & Sabre sparkleandsabre@gmail.com sparkleandsabre etsy.com/shop/sparkleandsabre 117

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REVOLUTIONIZING SNACKING!

All the junk food and none of the healthy snacks. Ever accidentally leave your lunch at home and have to resort to the candy-bar-and-chips backup lunch? These scenarios are all too real for thousands of workers every day. The consequences of poor eating habits add up to health issues. And it’s these exact problems that SmartBox solves for corporations across the US. SmartBox, founded in 2012 by CEO Brandon Stallings, is on a mission to equip organizations with easy-to-access, wholesome, and natural snack foods, meals, and beverages for their people. By using a combination of smart technology and unique service solutions, SmartBox provides a onestop shop for your office break room. “We’ve modernized the customer experience, and provided a much needed avenue for healthier choices,” said Stallings. “We only provide products that are proven to help achieve wellness goals.”

How many times have you walked into your office break room, only to let out a heavy sigh when realizing just how limited your options are?

SmartBox started as a vending company before expanding into the micromarket business. GoMarkets come equipped with easy-to-use self-checkout kiosks where users can purchase salads, wraps, snacks, and drinks with any 118

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form of digital currency at any point of the day. The food served in these GoMarkets are prepared fresh on a daily basis and distributed by the local SmartBox team. The newest service, SmartBox Express, is an online store providing snack gift boxes themed to fit all different types of unique dietary needs. SmartBox is now the largest health foods automated retailer in Florida, and one of the top natural and organic snack services companies in the US. To learn more about SmartBox Company, visit smartboxcompany.com.

SmartBox 8188 Baymeadows Way W. | Jacksonville, FL 32256 +1-772-341-6860 smartboxjacksonville smartboxjax smartboxcompany.com 119

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“A ship is safe in harbor, but that’s not what ships are for.” – WILLIAM SHEDD

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PUSHING THE BOUNDARIES OF PERFORMANCE WHO WE ARE Phase Eight Theater Company is the latest arts organization to be formed in Jacksonville, Florida. It is recognized as a boundary-pushing and socially progressive theater group. Phase Eight has presented fourteen productions in its first two and a half years of existence, having performed for hundreds of audience members. Their theater home is inside Jacksonville’s public television and radio station, WJCT studios. They’ve also partnered with the Museum Of Contemporary Art, Jacksonville (MOCA), for several collaborations which have been original works both independent of and in direct connection with curated exhibitions. By lifting the voices of local playwrights to the city stage, they speak to the heart of this southeast part of America.

HISTORY Phase Eight was founded by Jacksonville native and Juilliard Drama graduate JaMario Stills. He has performed in some of the nations most renowned Regional Theaters. Upon returning home, JaMario wanted to create the same experience he had as a paid actor cast to do a professional season of repertory theater. Phase Eight debuted in December 2016 with a production of The Hot L Baltimore by Landford Wilson. Next up was a drama, MLK Boulevard written by current Juilliard student, Julian Robertson. Phase Eight’s notable new works by local playwrights are On Purpose by Ebony Payne-English; Live Girls and MASS by Adam Groff; and immersive theater projects, Food of Love and Women’s Work by Kelby Siddons. Producing such classics as Love’s Labours Lost by William Shakespeare and the farce Noises Off! by Michael Frayn. Beginning in 2019, Stills will continue to build his repertory theater skills and pursue additional advanced theater studies at Brown University in their Masters of Fine Arts in Theatre Directing degree program.

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NOW Phase Eight experiments with avant-garde performance art and multimedia theater. In their collaboration with the Museum of Contemporary Art they explored site-specific pieces. MOCA’s Louise Nevelson exhibit inspired an immersive and interactive narrative, Women’s Work, that took place on three floors of the museum. The theme extended to an interactive dinner theater concept with Food of Love—a re-imagining of Cyrano de Bergerac’s classic tale presented within the museum’s Nola Café. Phase Eight featured world-renowned performance artist Amanda Coogan in her United States debut, The Ladder Is Always There, which premiered as part of MOCA’s Project Atrium exhibit. Phase Eight has Media Plays in development. This form of theatre is shared through the means of technology using various social media platforms. These current displays of merging artistic storytelling in unconventional ways will continue to be a Phase Eight trademark.

FUTURE Phase Eight aims to be a touchpoint in Florida culture. Their mission is devoted to fostering great actors through contemporary performances to be shared with modern audiences. The company will produce exciting plays, develop new works, and nurture multigenerational and cultural talent. In the traditions of Steppenwolf Theater Company, The Public Theater, and The Alliance Theater Company, just to name a few, these Northeast Florida–based creators aim to make their own distinct mark in Regional Theater.

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Phase Eight Theater Company phase8theater@gmail.com | Phase Eight Theater Company | Phase8theaterco phaseeight.org

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CURIOUS MUSIC FOR CURIOUS MINDS

Music is a passport, allowing travelers to walk into cultures, time periods, and gaining exposure to new ways of thinking. Avant ensures community members access to these windows of culture through diverse, dynamic and eclectic programming. By giving our community access, it encourages innovation by expanding minds, opening new horizons, and ensuring that our community continues to embrace other cultures through conscious interaction with them.

From its inception, Avant always intended to be more than a music series. Combining technology, interactive experiences, and a curatorial angle that seeks music that challenges and explores new territory, Avant has made an impact on the Jacksonville arts community in a relatively short amount of time. In addition, to their growing popularity around their concerts, they also offer new music through their weekly radio show on Jacksonville-based NPR station, WJCT. 124

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from artists from all over the world highlighting a range of cultures. Lectures at the Jacksonville Public Library, film screenings, and other communitybased initiatives have secured a grassroots following. “Music is a safe way of interacting with another culture. By having a window into those cultures, Avant hopes to expand the community’s comfort level,” says Marks. “If we can’t take risks through music, if we can’t interact with another culture through the arts, how are we, as an engaged community, going to tackle our deeply troubling problems? Music has a power to bring us together in an inclusive fashion like nothing else. It’s expanded my worldview; this is why I’m dedicated to impacting this community through music.” Avant’s tagline is “Curious Music for Curious Minds.” Its goal is to create a community of curious listeners interested in cultural exploration through the arts, allowing music to serve as a portal to expand our community’s definition of itself.

“Exploring the music of a culture is an act of exploration,” says Keith Marks, co-founder and Executive Director of Avant. “Cities like New York, London, Tokyo, and other major arts centers have cultivated arts ecosystems. We don’t go to New York just to go to the Met; we go for the up and coming galleries in Chelsea, the underground jazz clubs in the East Village, for the off-Broadway theater in Soho warehouses. We must collectively invest and develop in our own cultural arts ecosystem—and it starts with cultural entrepreneurs taking risks and putting innovation at the forefront.”

+1-386-295-3687 | curious@avantcurious.org avant_curious | Avantcurious | avantcurious avantcurious.org

At its inception in 2015, the nonprofit donated $4,500 worth of music from John Zorn’s record label, Tzadik, and produced major productions 125

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EMPOWERING THE ARTISTS

SHAPING CONTEMPORARY CULTURE Artists First We believe that by empowering artists the world can be a better place. We help artists thrive by giving them access to today’s leading-edge technology and abundant resources to create. We are a passionate collective of artists and industry experts with many years of firsthand experience producing ambitious art projects and events. We know the resources and expertise that artists need to realize projects they envision and the effect their work can have on the public.

“We had a blast and I know the community is loving what you all have built and continue to push. Jasmine and I met so many amazing people down here. Everyone you brought out to paint, create, drive, prep, help, film, shoot, and accommodate have been just really down earth and super interesting people. The energy in JAX is palpable and we are honored to have been a part of it in our own little way.” —Bisco Smith, Artist | NY

Connecting the Artists and the People As an artist-centric company, we curate and produce public art, exhibitions, and events while giving artists access to cutting-edge technology. We facilitate unique partnerships between artists, brands, and organizations that enliven public realms to elevate and enrich the people. We enable artists to reach new levels of creativity by giving them opportunities to be a part of a global movement that is harnessing the power of art to create a better world. • • • • • •

Digital Installations Data Sculptures—turning data into captivating digital art Murals Sculpture Visual Art Immersive experiences and events

ArtRepublic was founded by Jessica Santiago in 2016 to develop Jacksonville into a nationally recognized art and culture capital. This was the first organization of its kind, to bring the world’s leading muralists and digital artists to Jacksonville. ArtRepublic has since become known for its standard of excellence in curation and world-class installations, exhibitions, and events. After growing a powerful, international network of artists, brands, and industry experts, Santiago saw a tremendous need for growth and modernization within the business of art and developed a social-commerce tech platform to transform the industry. ArtRepublic will now become the world’s most artist-centric company, where patrons, galleries, museums, events, and brands can easily find and discover art they might want to buy online and artists they may want to work with. 126

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“ArtRepublic provides a unique opportunity to focus simultaneously upon two of our city’s most important values: downtown development and arts and culture.” —Preston Haskell, Founder, The Haskell Company

“We will build on our successes and global movement to develop an advanced social marketplace platform infusing commerce, art, and social experiences with the newest technologies supported by the web. With the use of today’s most cutting-edge technology, we can offer our users an immersive experience they have never had before, making the art world approachable and engaging for the next-generation collector.” —Jessica Santiago

Milestones • First private organization to gift over 30 world-class public artworks to the city • First organization to introduce the community to digital art and produce major digital art exhibitions • Winner of the American Institute of Architects Community Service Award 2017 • Over 20M digital media impressions showcasing the growing art and culture of Jacksonville

“The Jaguars are committed to the transformation of downtown Jacksonville into a thriving, world-class city and that includes an investment in the arts. We’re excited to support ArtRepublic artists this year as they create a mural that celebrates the spirit of Jacksonville and contributes to the quality of life in the downtown urban core.” —Mark Lamping, President, Jacksonville Jaguars

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HOSPITALITY SERVICES “If I had asked the public what they wanted, they would have said a faster horse.” – HENRY FORD

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NOCTURNAL

That Lyfe, LLC was founded around the simple idea that having a great night out should be easy and transparent. Our focus is on democratizing the nightlife experience through our iOS application, NOCTURNAL.

This idea originated from an evening in a city none of us are from. The team was trying to plan a night out in LA, with dinner followed by getting a VIP table at a nightclub. We realized that while we were able to easily book restaurant reservations, there was no easily navigable marketplace for booking tables at nightclubs. Our only choices were to physically go to the nightclub and wait in a long line to speak with a promoter who would try to upsell us, or contact a random number found on the nightclubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website and wait for a response. Neither of these options seemed appealing. What was the result? We ended up getting into the nightclub late and overpaying for a poorly located table due to our lack of knowledge of the nightclub. 130

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About a week after the trip to LA, the team realized that there were several barriers to having a great night out and many of them didn’t make any economic sense. We recognized that nightclubs operate like hotels, and like unoccupied hotel rooms, vacant tables at nightclubs don’t generate any revenue. Overall, the process we experienced didn’t seem to benefit anyone. Nightclubs had an idle inventory of tables and the reservation process for consumers was murky and daunting to those unfamiliar with the VIP nightclub experience. We decided there needed to be an efficient way to clear this market.

What if you could dynamically price tables in a marketplace that would allow consumers to know exactly which tables were available and then reserve them without the hassle of waiting in line, negotiating at the door, or being forced to contact a random person who may not have any clear affiliation with the establishment? Our goal is to help bridge the gap between establishments and patrons. We want people to be able to plan their night out through our iOS application, and we want establishments to be able to leverage our platform to maximize their reach. Nocturnal Kenneth Akel (kenneth@thatlyfe.co) Nayan Mohapatra (nayan@thatlyfe.co) Matt Nemetz (matt@thatlyfe.co) nocturnalapp.com thatlyfe.co

For more information about our company and our team, please visit our website www.thatlyfe.co. We plan to launch NOCTURNAL in the coming months. For more information about NOCTURNAL, please visit www.nocturnalapp.com. 131

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WE THINK YOU’LL DIG HAZLNUT

Meet Hazlnut, the company helping to bring new-age technology to the small businesses in their community. Today, people expect to have access to restaurants and retail stores on the web. Hazlnut is an all-in-one integrated solution that helps companies develop relationships with their customers through beautifully designed websites and custom branded apps. With Hazlnut, small businesses deepen relationships and customer loyalty with branded apps and custom websites, seamlessly integrated with your point-of-sale system. “We’ve all ordered food online or other goods through our phones. We want to empower small brands to compete with national brands. We’re out there fighting for the little guys,” said Steven Edwards, co-founder at Hazlnut.

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With a background in mechanical engineering, Steven Edwards has always had a desire to create something. After seeing the growth of iPhones and smartphones, Edwards saw the potential of having businesses reach their customers through the phones in their pockets. “I’ve had some coding background and wanted to make apps for the digital economy. Hazlnut has grown in the last 3 years to serve restaurants across the United States and processes hundreds of thousands of customer transactions,” said Edwards. Richard Sikes, co-founder at Hazlnut, has a different story. Sikes has a background in finance and is a Certified Financial Analyst. He found that in his finance career, he was using software to automate business. “With software, if you can envision it, you can build it. I have a lot of fun with what we’re doing. What we do is we come in and help lift up small businesses to compete with bigger brands like Starbucks and Chipotle,” said Richard. Hazlnut connects restaurants directly to customers through e-commerce, online sales, and point-of-sale kiosks. This saves time for employees so that they don’t have to pick up the phone as often and can focus on who they are serving in stores. Wait time decreases and every order can be filled faster. Hazlnut has been in business for 3 years and continues to grow. To follow their story or request at demo, please visit Hazlnut.com. 133

7835 Bayberry Road Jacksonville, FL 32256 +1-844-446-6646 hazlnutco hazlnut.com

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Our restaurant owners enjoy the ability to update their menus in real-time in the store and on their website at the same time in under 30 seconds. In 2018, we added the ability for restaurant customers to order through our owners’ website as well. Our order-getter app takes the headache away from to-go and curbside orders by activating our owners’ current site with online ordering at no extra upfront cost. Online orders enjoy increased revenue per order, increased customer loyalty, and greater awareness of our owners’ menus all while being completely integrated with their digital menu board.

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Menuat started 5 years ago with one goal: to help restaurants manage their menus easier online and in-store. Our flagship product Menuat Go is a low-cost, easy-to-install digital menu board which is completely changeable and beautifully custom-designed.

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Menuat is just getting started as we’ve seen the industry transform from oldtime consuming processes to online integrated menus. The advantages of going digital no longer need to be explained to our restaurant owners and we are now moving into helping them generate better processes by reducing cost, increasing customer satisfaction, and creating a better overall experience. We’ve leveled the playing field for smaller owneroperated restaurants and provided larger chains with the same level of flexibility. Menuat addresses a broad audience; look for us at your local restaurant or innovative chain. To learn more about Menuat, please visit Menuat.com. 135

jeff@menuat.com +1-415-298-2707 menu_at wheresyourmenuat menuat Menuat menuat.com

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“You’ll never know everything about anything, especially something you love.” — JULIA CHILD

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CULIVINO HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT + CONSULTING / CHEF TOM GRAY

OUR STORY Chef Tom Gray is one of North Florida’s most lauded and respected chefs with two James Beard Award nominations as well as countless awards and accolades. He began his career in his hometown of Jacksonville at the age of 15 at a local country club, with culinary school at the Culinary Institute of America and professional work in New York City, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Napa Valley to follow. Today, Gray shares his time between his two restaurants, Moxie Kitchen + Cocktails, and Town Hall, both of which are operated under the umbrella of his hospitality management and consulting company, CuliVino. Moxie Kitchen + Cocktails celebrated its fifth anniversary in 2018 and brings local flair to the Town Center area of Jacksonville as the only full-service, locally owned restaurant with an awardwinning sustainably sourced menu, creative cocktails, professional service and unique two-story design. Featuring outdoor patios, open kitchen, and urban rustic appeal, Moxie is fun dining at its finest, and a perfect meeting spot for any gathering large or small.

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Debuting in 2017, Town Hall is a community spot for sharing good food and good drink in good company. Located in the heart of historic San Marco, the casual-chic spot is the perfect place for dinner or Sunday brunch. Town Hall offers a full selection creative cocktails and wines from around the world to complement the seasonally inspired menu and contemporary design aesthetic. Long known as a leader in the region’s sustainable sourcing movement, Gray and his teams use as many local, organic, natural, and sustainable ingredients as possible, serving the best herbs and vegetables, meats, fishes, and cheeses as a part Gray’s “fullcircle approach” and business philosophy. In addition to his two James Beard nominations, Gray has been voted many times as Jacksonville’s “Best Chef” in various regional publications. He appeared in Tastemade’s The Grill Iron I series, which also aired on The Cooking Channel, and was a featured guest on Public Radio International’s Whad’Ya Know show with Michael Feldman.

Moxie Kitchen + Cocktails earned Florida Trend’s Golden Spoon Award in 2014 for Best New Northeast Florida Restaurant and remains on their annual Golden Spoon list. Additionally, Moxie was awarded the prestigious American Institute of Architects Florida “People’s Choice” statewide design award in 2016. Town Hall brought home the Golden Spoon “Best New Northeast Florida Restaurant” award in 2018, among other regional “best of” awards since opening. Both Moxie Kitchen + Cocktails and Town Hall are the creations of Gray and his partner in life and business, Sarah Marie Johnston. Together they are founders of CuliVino, a hospitality consulting and management company which specializes in existing business consultation, new concept development, and operations management to provide multilayered support and systems implementation for restaurant owners and in-house management teams. Along with a dedicated support team and group of business investors, they are leading the charge to bring a higher level of recognition to the North Florida dining scene and sustainablesourcing movement through the concepts they develop and own, as well as for their hospitality clients. Culivino 1922 Felch Avenue, Studio 3 | Jacksonville, FL 32207 +1-904-802-0081 | hello@culivino.com culivino.com 139

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mixallogy is reinventing the cocktail-making experience in the US. Our USDA-certified organic mixers make bartender-approved cocktails in a minute, anywhere. And they’re only 40 calories! Our powdered mixers are made in the US with a patented drying technology that uses minimal processing to eliminate water, keeping the fruit’s nutritional value, taste, and color intact. mixallogy mixers are then packaged in convenient single-serving shot-pods, which also serve as the measuring device to make the cocktails. All you have to do is combine mixallogy with one shot-pod of water and one shot-pod of spirit, shake with ice, and serve.

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Our launch collection includes the margarita, the cosmopolitan, and the lemon sour. But the possibilities don’t stop there; our mixers are extremely versatile; choose your favorite spirit (alcoholic or not) and create your own cocktail. For example, the margarita makes a delicious margarita, but it also makes a tasty classic daiquiri if you mix it with white rum or a refreshing gimlet if you mix it with gin and soda. Like any great product, mixallogy is the result of a team effort and a careful crafting process. For many months we worked with a group of acclaimed bartenders and our manufacturing partners to create a collection of delicious cocktail mixers that contain the best ingredients, taste amazing, and are really easy to prepare. Bringing old and new friends together makes us happy, so we set out to create a product that made it easier for everyone to share the joy of shaking.

Our team is made up of a multigenerational group of friends who met while working in the health-food industry. We soon discovered that, along with our love for healthy, nutritious food, we also shared a passion for great cocktails. When making cocktails, we realized we weren’t holding the ingredients to the same standards as we were our food; most mixers were filled with artificial sweeteners and ingredients. There was a better way, and mixallogy was born. That same love for healthy living brought us to headquarter the company in Jacksonville, and join its wonderful business community.

mixallogy 822 North A1A Highway, Suite 310 Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082 info@mixallogy.com mixallogy.com 141

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AMELIA TOFFEE

Our unique recipes combine tradition and creativity with superior ingredients and finely curated flavorings. We promise true love with every bite.

We are a small-batch, handcrafted, artisan toffee maker company, creating uniquely flavored, all-natural toffee. Our incredibly indulgent dark chocolate almond toffee is made with ingredients such as orange, key lime, lemon ginger, pumpkin, bourbon, sea salt, and coffee. The sumptuous texture of our toffee comes from the salty sea air that fills our kitchen. Established on Amelia Island, Florida, where Spanish moss clings to ancient oaks and morning fog rolls over the Intracoastal, our amazing recipes combined with our near-tropical humidity sets our toffee apart. Enjoy the unique toffee goodness produced from our coastal kitchen—Incredibly Indulgent! After 50 years of making toffee, our founder Anita Comisky decided to share her grandmother’s recipe with all toffee lovers. However, Anita knew that consumers wanted new combinations of flavors and she experimented to create the first uniquely flavored toffee. Loving the creative side of cooking, Anita tested many different flavors to achieve the perfect combination such as Key Lime Toffee. Our team loves to experiment, and we even developed a licorice toffee for a chain of olive oil stores. Amelia Toffee was born in 2015 and has exploded onto 300+ store shelves throughout the nation.

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Batch crafted by hand Our toffee is crafted by hand in small quantities. Each morsel of our artisan toffee is enrobed in premium dark chocolate and studded with roasted California almonds.

Incredibly indulgent Our toffees are luxuriously textured, with an amazing melt-in-your-mouth consistency that’s hypnotic, heavenly, and unlike any other gourmet toffee.

All natural—naturally Best of all, we’re proud to say we make it with a clean list of ingredients. There’s no added colorings or preservatives so that you can enjoy the pure taste of decadent dark chocolate and buttery toffee.

We are the ONLY toffee maker making Pumpkin Toffee, Orange Toffee, Key Lime Toffee, and Lemon Ginger Toffee. We love what we do and maintain quality and innovation at every step. We enjoy building relationships with suppliers, distributors, wholesalers, and customers to continue to expand our brand. Our vision is to be a National Brand with a new take on the traditional.

Sales@AmeliaToffee.com AmeliaToffee.com 143

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VETERANS UNITED CRAFT BREWERY Veterans United Craft Brewery is a small, independent, veteran-owned and -operated craft brewery located in Jacksonville. The breweryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s goal is to raise awareness and appreciation of veterans and members of our active-duty military to help recognize their service and sacrifice.

Ronald P. Gamble is currently the Founder, President and Brewmaster of Veterans United Craft Brewery. Gamble is a former Naval Flight Officer who flew jets from aircraft carriers and conducted missions over Iraq in the first Gulf War. Ron spent 29 years as an executive and senior level manager, over 10 years as a professional Brewmaster/Brewer at Veterans United and several prominent New England breweries, and 17 years as an accomplished homebrewer. Business and operational acumen span his involvement in six internet/software startups, the sale of three companies, and leadership as a Naval Flight Officer. Veterans United employs mostly veterans in the company with them holding positions in brewery operations, accounting, sales, and taproom staff. With a focus on producing the best beers possible, Ron has been a professional brewer since 2007 and has worked his way up the ladder and learned the craft at several production breweries prior to starting Veterans United. The brewery started production in 2014

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and has been widely distributed in Northeast Florida since opening its doors. The brewery has four core/year-round beers and several seasonals and limited release beers. Its core beers include: Raging Blonde Ale, HopBanshee IPA, Scout Dog 44 Amber Ale, and Buzzin’ Bee Honey Rye Wheat. Veterans United Craft Brewery supports many veteran, military, and nonmilitary organizations. Organizations that the brewery has worked with include the USO, the Navy League, the Matthew Freeman Project, K9s for Warriors, Wreaths Across America, Luke’s Wings, KONGS for K9s Drive for Military Working Dog Teams Support Assoc., Heroes Betterment, The Dawg Project, Cystic Fibrosis, MS Society, Florida Service Dogs, the Jed Fund (TAILS and the Pit Sisters), Jacksonville Zoo—Brew at the Zoo, Jacksonville Humane Society, We Ride to Provide (police K9s), and K9s United. The brewery is located in a large facility on the southside of Jacksonville. In addition to the operations area, the brewery has a large taproom and special events room. These rooms feature retro-style vintage military posters and pictures, as well as a few special works of art. The event room is used for hosting the brewery’s VIP client accounts (large chain accounts such as Ruby Tuesdays, Applebee’s, Chili’s, Hooters, etc.) and for private functions. The brewery has won several awards for its beers at the Florida Best Beer Competition (FBBC). The FBBC allows all the Florida-based breweries to compete with each other and showcase their brews. The awards won by Veterans United are: 1. Paratrooper Porter, Silver Medal (2016 FBBC) 2. Raging Blonde, Silver Medal (2018 FBBC); Bronze Medal (2016 FBBC) 3. Scout Dog 44, Gold Medal (2018 FBBC); Bronze Medal (2016 FBBC) 4. Buzzin’ Bee, Bronze Medal (2015 FBBC) 5. Farmers Little Helper Belgian-style Saison, Silver Medal (2018 FBBC) Ron’s vision is to establish Veterans United Craft Brewery as one of the finest craft breweries in the greater Jacksonville area and the state of Florida, ultimately becoming a prominent regional brewery in the Southeastern United States.

8999 Western Way, Unit 104 Jacksonville, FL 32256 +1-904-253-3326 info@vubrew.com VUbrew veterans-united-craft-brewery vubrew.com 145

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CIVILIZED COFFEE COMPANY

ELEVATOR PITCH At Civilized Coffee it is not just about sourcing and roasting great coffee—it is about creating a culture around the brand. Northeast Florida has a very strong environment and support system for coffee and tea. Their reason to take this small business global was to bring awareness to their brand and to Jacksonville where they call home. Mark and Jeff have one simple rule: “Settle for nothing but the best!”—from customer satisfaction to the coffee beans they import. The company holds a reputable reputation for their experience and continued work with sustainable farmers and supply chain. Green Arabica coffee is sourced from amazing coffee capitals of the world—Kenya, Tanzania, Colombia and other classic regions. They test (cup) all of their coffees before they can even make it to their 40,000-square-foot warehouse on Dennis Street in Northwest Jacksonville.

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They have customers from all 50 states, the Caribbean, Europe, and military bases in the Middle East. They specialize in e-commerce from their website to Amazon—this allows them to get freshly roasted coffee directly to their customers.

THE STORY Coffee is a universal custom, thousands of years old yet always a new and invigorating experience. Thomas Jefferson called coffee “the favorite drink of the civilized world.” Mark and Jeff believe this tradition, borrowed and shared across many cultures, has the power to unite and inspire. They hope their coffees are enjoyed over civilized conversations between friends both dear and different, all over the world. For Jeff, it was solely his passion to source superb coffee that led him to East Africa where he stumbled across local small-scale farmers. It was on this journey that Jeff learned that the native farmers were clued up on their land’s climate and agricultural traditions so he used that as an opportunity to work alongside them. This mutual relationship is beneficial to farmers as it supports their cultures, preferences, and continued economic success. Jeff experiments with coffee blends in the kitchen to ensure only the smoothest, finest, and most sought-after coffee combinations are produced. In the process, Civilized Coffee has cultivated strong relationships with individual producers and co-ops throughout the world. By trading in a transparent way, they have been given the chance to obtain a very highquality standard and a fair price from farmer to consumer. Mark Patterson (CEO) forms the other part of the coffee duo. Patterson has an unbeatable passion for the food and beverage industry. He uses his extensive business in sales and marketing experience to continue to grow Civilized Coffee. The company is constantly expanding and introducing new product lines to include espresso powder, instant coffee, and even matcha powder.

INNOVATIONS Quality Control at Civilized Coffee starts with the farmer and ends when the customer brews their coffee. They pride themselves on being part of the supply chain from start to finish, inspecting the green coffee bean to the roasted coffee that goes into the bag; there are no shortcuts to quality.

FUTURE FORWARD The future has a delectable aroma for this innovative startup called Civilized Coffee—can you smell it? Mark and Jeff are always searching for what is next—have they found a coffee or tea source from another great region; are they partnering with another company to expand their product offering; or are they putting together their latest gift box? Civilized Coffee mark@civilizedcoffee.com civilizedcoffee civilizedcoffee.com 147

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are safety sealed, packaged, and sent out to distribution centers all over the world. When Jason McDonald was asked what the most exciting thing about the company was, his response was simple: hearing from customers about how they were enjoying the product at home. Jason went on to say, “It’s very exciting seeing the sales roll in and seeing the results from your team. At first you see sales from all of your family and friends but when the sales start rolling in from strangers—that’s when you know you have a real business.” Today, FreshJax is shipping their spices all over the globe. FreshJax is a top seller on Amazon and is sold in the US, Canada, and Europe. The brand is also steadily growing in their local market. Recently, the head chef at Bellwether restaurant, part of the Black Sheep Restaurant Group, put together a 7-course meal and every course featured a different FreshJax spice. “Everything is already perfect in this rub,” said Catalina Alers-Alers, On-Air Talent at iHeartMedia.

THINKING BIGGER THAN SALT AND PEPPER

Crowd favorites included maple cinnamon apple pie and a new BBQ rub on a pulled-pork slider. Signature cocktails were also included in the meal, margaritas rimmed with FreshJax Habanero Lime Sea Salt. The full product line as well as recipes for how to use the spices are located on the FreshJax website at FreshJax.com. People can also sign up for wholesale accounts through the FreshJax website to sell FreshJax products in their stores.

Sizzle, smoke, and flames. Family, friends, and summer afternoons. Backyard barbeques are known for their music, drinks, and tasty food. When walking up to the FreshJax kitchen and distribution center in Jacksonville, Florida, the sweet smell of cooking spices fills the air. FreshJax is changing the way people cook with their unique spice blends. Husband and wife team Jason McDonald and Hillary McDonald founded FreshJax in 2011 at their local farmer’s market. “The FreshJax mission is to inspire simply delicious cooking,” said Hillary McDonald. Everything from FreshJax is made by hand in small batches using premium organic ingredients made with lots of love. FreshJax labels are hand-applied and spices 149

FreshJax 11526 Lake Mead Avenue, Unit 103 | Jacksonville, FL 32256 +1-904-337-9750 | FreshJax freshjax.com

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AT BETHESDA FARM, THE CHICKEN COMES FIRST, THEN THE EGG

Bethesda Farm began as a dream to provide the best-tasting, healthiest local eggs available and to use the profits to benefit the community. In 2016, brothers Sean and Jack Hellein received the first organic hens on pastures near Jacksonville. From the beginning, the welfare of the hens at Bethesda Farm came first. “Whatever happened, we wanted to make sure our birds had the opportunity to express themselves as birds,” Bethesda Farm founder Sean Hellein says. Bethesda Farm hens live outdoors on

organic pasture, chasing bugs and soaking up the sunshine in a quiet country setting. All that goodness finds its way into our eggs. The result of putting the chicken first? A superior egg in every way. “People love the great taste of our eggs,” Sean says. The unique taste of Bethesda Farm eggs results from careful planning and refusing to take shortcuts. 150

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Superior Breed and Feed Means a Great-tasting Egg The hens at Bethesda Farm produce a tastier egg than other hens that are chosen for higher production instead of quality. “Our hens lay fewer eggs than other birds, but the result is a tastier egg,” says Jack Hellein. Another critical component of the premium eggs is the superfresh feed they receive; Bethesda Farm operates its own organic, non-GMO feedmill in rural St. Augustine. Freshly ground feed means more nutrients for the hens.

Growing Community—Taste the Difference, Make a Difference As a nonprofit company, Bethesda Farm dedicates all profits from the sale of eggs to the communities of which it is a part. Community starts at home, so we pay living wages to all employees. In local schools, we build “community microfarms” that give students the chance to plant, care for, and harvest fresh fruits and vegetables. Now, Bethesda Farm directly supports the Northeast Florida STEM2 Hub that fosters equitable access to STEM Education (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math/ Medicine). Proceeds from Publix in Northeast Florida are dedicated to this mission.

Real Egg Quality and Animal Welfare Standards Bethesda Farm is proud to be certified as “Pasture Living” under Whole Foods egg quality standards. Unlike terms like “cage-free,” “free-range,” and even “pasture-raised,” Whole Foods standards demand specific, measurable requirements designed to insure animal welfare. The “mobile houses” standard is one of two “pasture-raised” standards established by Whole Foods. The “Pasture Living” standard means:

Sean Hellein

• Birds live outdoors with mobile houses for shelter. Moving the houses frequently means access to fresh pasture. • Birds have higher amounts of grass coverage and access to shade and roosting space than the “pasture-raised” standard. • Beak trimming is prohibited (permitted in other specifications). The Hellein brothers, along with the entire family at Bethesda Farm, are thrilled to be a part of the development of these new animal welfare standards. “Taking care of the hens at Bethesda Farm is the beginning of everything we do,” Sean reflects. “It’s the birds that make it possible for us to make a difference in the community.”

+1-800-344-7007 eggs@bethesdafarm.com bethesdafarm bethesdafarm.com 151

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“Be an innovator, not an imitator.” – AUDREY CARBALLO

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WANDER MEDIA COMPANY ELEVATOR PITCH Wander Media Company is the creative powerhouse behind a collection of destination marketing television channels airing in hotels and resorts throughout Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia. From restaurants to shopping to local attractions, Wander helps tell the story of the places and faces that make Jacksonville such a remarkable travel destination.

THE STORY “Whenever I use the expression ‘visitor information channel,’ people conjure up all kinds of different things,” says Kate Strickland, founder of Wander Media Company. “Some people think of that slideshow with a bunch of still images that reference convention room assignments and continental breakfasts. Some people think of a channel that has 30 minutes of content running on a loop, over and over again. That’s not Wander.” Wander Media Company has partnered with over 50 hotels, resorts, visitor centers, and airports throughout the region to provide visitors with a resource for the best dining, entertainment, and shopping in the area. 154

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Shot in ultra-high definition, Wander’s vignettes distill the uniqueness and draw of the companies they feature—no matter their industry—reaching 2 million viewers annually. “We don’t just promote happy hour specials or hours of operation. There’s more to it. We interview executive chefs, proprietors, and even patrons. They share their love for what they do, where they draw their inspiration, even their vision for growth,” says Kate. The result of these conversations is a well-curated television channel that is dynamic, interesting, and informative. In fact, it feels more like a documentary of Jacksonville in the style of Planet Earth or Chef’s Table more than anything else. Wander’s charming segment hosts are Jacksonville locals themselves—just another way the Wander channel is more a window into Jacksonville than it is videos on a screen. But the depth and diversity of what Jacksonville has to offer have even surprised Wander’s hometown hosts.

“When I joined the Wander team, I didn’t know exactly what to expect,” says Matt Basford, who was born and raised in Jacksonville. “The opportunity to work with Wander has turned me onto some remote locations—these nooks and crannies of local businesses that I did not know existed. It’s very exciting in that respect.”

is astoundingly beautiful .... Each video that I’ve seen is completely unique and allows the businesses ... to really show what makes them special and stand out in our community.” Wander’s channels have grown beyond Jacksonville to now include Amelia Island, St. Augustine, and Golden Isles, but its heartbeat remains in the boldest city in the South.

Businesses featured on the channel are equally impressed with Wander’s thoughtful and appealing reflections of who they are and what they do. Sarah Marie Johnston owns Moxie Kitchen + Cocktails, which features on Jacksonville’s Wander Channel.

“We don’t just shoot beautiful content,” Kate says. “We don’t just deliver something that’s pretty for everyone to look at. It’s really important to us that we tell the story of Jacksonville. We want people to know about the people who are behind the places. We hope that anyone who’s watching falls in love with this area as much as we do.”

“I loved Kate. I totally connected with her vision and what she wanted to do,” Sarah Marie says. “I took a little bit of a leap of faith about what the video would actually look like when it was completed, but the end product

450-106 SR 13 North, #430 | Jacksonville, FL 32259 | +1-904-479-6640 wanderjacksonville, wanderameliaisland, wanderstaugustine, wandergoldenisles wanderjacksonville, wanderameliaisland, wanderstaugustine, wandergoldenisles wandermediacompany.com 155

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CASTANO GROUP

When innovation is combined with creativity, it not only captures attention, it can create an experience that can lead to change. Castano Group specializes in designing and producing these experiences: multimedia, multisensory engagements that change the way people communicate with brands in digital and physical environments. Castano Group was launched in 2015 by its founders, Kedgar Volta and Joash Brunet ,after the two spent a combined 25 years in the broadcast and advertising fields, crafting national campaigns and garnering critical recognition, including ADDY and Emmy Awards. As Volta and Brunet watched the rise of social media and the proliferation of content and marketing platforms, they realized they both wanted to take a new, disruptive approach towards connecting with disparate audiences. “Joash and I realized that with the accelerated pace of innovation and technology, we needed to find a way to leverage those things to improve the quality of each and every interaction,” explains Volta. “The audience of tomorrow, and today for that matter, is looking for experiences that connect them with insight and emotion in powerful ways.” 156

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To create this deep consumer engagement, Castano Group works to create seamless, immersive, and interactive experiences. “Our secret sauce is that we make those gradients naturally flow together,” says Brunet. Volta calls on his background as an internationally recognized artist, along with his programming skills, to lead the design teams that create Castano’s work, while Brunet work closely with clients to ensure their story become part of the digital and physical experience. “We always ask, why is the experience important, what are we trying to say,” says Brunet. “Once we’ve worked with a client and have those answers, the possibilities of what we can do are endless.” Indeed, those possibilities range from active to passive engagement using everything from ink to electrons in a multitude of environments that have included planetariums, public spaces, and retail settings. “Whether our team is creating something tactile or sensory, we want it to be unique and unforgettable,” says Volta. While Castano Group continues to explore innovative ways to create memorable moments and connections for audiences, its principals are also focused on metrics. As Brunet explains, “An important part of what we do, whether we are creating a touchscreen, a projection, or an ambient

environmental installation, is using interactive technology to extract and classify data that can help us create more meaningful interactions and help our clients better understand their audiences and customers.” Telling immersive stories, creating interactive environments, and designing memorable moments; for Castano Group, everything else is out of scope.

Castano Group +1-904-607-5522 | info@castanogroup castanogroup | castanogroup.com 157

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HOLMES CUSTOM Now celebrating its 65th year in business, Jacksonvillebased Holmes Custom designs, manufactures, and retails personalized products across 8 web brands. How does a business that was started in the 1950s stand the test of time? There’s only one way. Innovation.

What once started as a rubber stamp manufacturer out of a garage, Holmes Custom is now a multimillion-dollar enterprise operating in three locations in the US, shipping thousands of personalized products each day. Core products include rubber stamps, custom signs, name tags, photo IDs, and employee recognition awards, trophies, and plaques. Setting Holmes Custom apart from the thousands of similar product shops around the country is their seamless online ordering experience and unparalleled back-end technology that process orders within seconds. 98% of the orders received reach their customers (regardless of US location) within 3 business days. 99% of their orders ship next business day. “We made a conscious decision a few years ago,” says owner and CEO, Bryan Croft, “to really invest in our technology to process orders faster than anyone ever thought was possible.” Holmes Custom’s tech team is comprised of over 15 individuals highly skilled in web programming and engineering. They’ve developed a proprietary software that automates order entry and processing, even with customized orders. “Now that we have orders flowing quickly through our facility, our next step is to innovate the way in which we produce our personalized products,” says Croft. The company is putting significant financial emphasis on improving equipment and streamlining production processes to get even more efficient. It’s this constant innovation that fuels the growth of the company, which averages at about 25% per year. 158

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Croft is described by many as a visionary. Energetic, passionate, and full of life, Bryan will tell you that he has hundreds of ideas each month on how to push the business forward. His partner, CFO and owner Steven Fernandez, works as an integrator to flesh out and implement the top ideas. Not all ideas make it downstream, but a few do, which is why the company continues to drive forward and innovate. The company introduced personalized gifts to its lineup of core products a few years ago. Personalized Bible covers and cutting boards are among the top products exploding the site 904custom.com. Croft has ideas about what core products will be next and a dedicated team of 10 individuals are actively pursuing testing on new hard goods each day. Coming up with the next “big thing” is something that’s core to the company’s growth strategy. Also core to the strategy is better service of Holmes Custom’s Corporate Partners, which doesn’t sound that innovative at first pass. Looking closer, you’ll see a growing team of individuals focused on superior service and getting customers set up with Company Stores. These online, passwordprotected portals allow for easy reordering of approved, branded store merchandise. Although Holmes doesn’t publish their customers taking advantage of these online portals, VP of Strategic Partnerships, Libby O’Regan says there are over 150 customers using the Company Stores and over a dozen Fortune 500 companies amongst those. What’s next for Holmes Custom is likely to be more advancements in tech, product, and service, constantly innovating this more than halfcentury-old business into the future.

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Holmes Custom 2021 St. Augustine Road E. Jacksonville, FL 32207 myholmescustom holmes-stamp-&-sign holmes_custom holmescustom.com

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JA N E S H I R E K p h o t o g r a p h y Jane Shirek stands out in the photography industry not only for her widely praised talent but also for her years of experience working with all types of people and clients in many cities and countries. As a photographer, she brings out the very best of everyone she photographs. Jane has a genuine gift for making people feel comfortable and putting them at ease. After all, she says, “We all want to put our best face forward.” Starting in the business, Jane dropped her book off at Vanity Fair, American Vogue, and various other publications and was taken by the numerous positive reactions she received. “They would look at me and say, ‘Where did you get this portfolio?’” Jane says. It was created by a year of working in Milan, Italy. After years of shooting fashion photography all over the globe, Jane was hired to photograph people who had talent and stories but were not models. Neiman Marcus and Macy’s sent her out to photograph celebrity chefs, fashion designers, and visual and musical artists. This brought her to the attention of music labels, where she shot album covers and celebrities. She is fortunate to have photographed so many amazing, fascinating, and talented people in her career. Continually expanding her skills and

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horizons, Jane evolved to also being a director of TV commercials for Macy’s and other clients, as well as directing music videos.

to your input, and is flexible with scheduling. Go to Jane if you need a headshot or any other professional photography work.”

Her clients have included Vogue Italia, L’Uomo Vogue, American Vogue, Entertainment Weekly, HBO, Seventeen, YM, Modern Bride, Men’s Journal, Universal Music Group, Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, Neiman Marcus, Georgia Film Commission, Capital Analysts, The Wounded Warrior Project, Abentras, Marco Opthalmic, and more.

West Wingate—Owner/Agent, Abentras, Jacksonville, FL “Jane did an incredible job for our company website staff pictures and marketing shots. She is incredible!!”

Photographic Exhibitions: Most recently, she had an exhibit of her work at the Jacksonville International Airport, as well as the Haskell Gallery at the Airport. She has shown many times with the Southlight Gallery and at the Bluemark Gallery in Atlanta, Georgia. This is what some of her clients have said: Bradley Harrison—VP Creative Director, Macy’s Inc., New York, NY “I started working with Jane many years ago and still love her work. Part of Jane’s talent is her venerability to create beautiful portraits from her subjects that resonate with candid, psychology with both humor and pathos.” David Marco—CEO, Marco, Jacksonville, FL “I have known Jane for many years. Jane shares both a powerful global talent set unmatched in creativity and an inviting personality. She is a ‘hoot’ to work with, and an absolute pleasure in all regards.” Hollis King—Former VP Creative Services, Verve Music Group & Music Consultant “Whenever I have a job that is critical to the company, a job that requires creativity and imagination, I call Jane. She always delivers.” Frances West—Founder, Author, Public Speaker, Former IBM Chief Accessibility Officer. Boston, Mass. “Jane is extremely perceptive regarding client’s needs and gives the most helpful suggestions during a shoot. She produces high-quality work and is a lot of fun to work with. Definitely one of the best in the industry.” Joseph Jumber—Risk Analyst, FIS “If you are starting a new job or looking for one, go to Jane Shirek for a new professional headshot. She did mine and makes it easy, listens

Amy Adams—Freelance Writer/Editor “I booked Jane to shoot a series of Neiman Marcus executive portraits based on some work she had done for us previously on ‘the book.’ She struck an immediate rapport with all of her subjects—and the results went far beyond the usual headshots. Her keen visual eye, creativity, and photographic acumen are matched only by her personal warmth and professionalism. Wouldn’t hesitate to use her again!” Kyle Martin—Director, Content Development, UCF College of Sciences “I worked with Jane when I was Publications Specialist for the Wounded Warrior Project. Her work was technically sound and strong, but that’s not what impressed me the most about Jane. Jane immediately puts the people around her and the talent at ease, which is critical if you’re going to get a good shot. Her personality, as much as her skills with the camera, is what makes Jane a great photographer. I would recommend her to anyone.” Jake Fernandez—Artist and Lecturer “Jane is a very gifted and experienced photographer and director. Her work is outstanding. She is very professional and an inspiration to all who worked with her.” Rebecca Hewes—Model, Reflexologist, Paris, France “Jane Shirek is one of the most incredible photographers I have worked with. She is also a beautiful person, not of this world.” R. Bruce Ogier—President, Capital Analysts of Jacksonville, Florida, Inc. “Photography is art. Jane Shirek is a locally, nationally, and internationally known professional photographer. Jane’s work is unique in that she uses many methods to focus light relating to seeing and capturing the beauty of her subject. She is a true perfectionist in photography.”

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“The future isn’t a place we’re going to go. It’s a place that you get to create.” — NANCY DUARTE

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ESSENTIAL CULTURE PODCAST NETWORK

The Essential Culture Podcast Network (ECPN) is a podcast-based media platform for Northeast Florida. Through strategic collaborations with Jacksonville-based media institutions, our network provides a series of cultural programs available to be downloaded on multiple streaming platforms. Listeners can subscribe to shows dedicated to subjects centered around business, advocacy, entertainment, and the arts. ECPN hosts invite local and national experts to explore topics and ideas that catalyze, educate, and enlighten audiences. If the question is “Who do we want to talk to?” The answer is always: the makers, doers, and thinkers in a community. When that metropolis is located ideologically and geographically on the edge of the Southeastern seaboard, the result is fascinating, quirky, personal, and local with national implications. Thus, what we do is how we do: we tell the stories of our people, to our people. ECPN initially was developed as a response to the Northeast Florida community’s extraordinary creative and entrepreneurial communities; ECPN is host-driven and curiosity-floated. With six individual shows, the depth and breadth of the region is reflected, highlighted, and chewed up. In our first year, we counted Andrew Gillum, Carlos Rolon, Diana Haggag, Jonah Bokar, Dr. Alfredo QuinoñesHinojosa, and Dr. Aynna Hudson among our guests.

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Tim Driscoll, ECPN Co-founder

Heather Moore, ECPN Co-founder

JaMario Stills, ECPN Co-founder

Now would be a good time to talk about our people: Stills, Moore, and Driscoll think about the hosts in terms of influence and dedication. Because hosting a show is a semi-public intellectual space, they understood that the individuals selected had to have an awareness of that responsibility, a social consciousness.

ECPN is the natural response to co-founders JaMario Stills, Heather Moore, and Tim Driscoll’s desire to elevate the art and innovation happening here. Too, the network is a response to the current media landscape, which, while specific to NEFLa (attrition and downsizing), also addresses changes to the way we consume and process information. People are always moving and in transition, this way, the listener can ondemand—topic and time—pick up with their locale, or dip into a region they might not know too much about, finding episodes on Soundcloud, iTunes, and Stitcher. It’s a way to empower the audience to leverage their own skills and interests while also showcasing this region. 165

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Our hosts are recognized and lauded professionals: Shawana Brooks is a curator and poet; Allison Galloway Gonzalez is an arts leader and educator; Dustin Harewood is an artist and professor; Toni Hernandez is an entrepreneur and culture engineer, Rachel Roberts is a writer and entrepreneur; and Madeleine Peck Wagner is an artist and writer. In terms of growth, we think of ourselves in a seedling stage: We recorded our first podcast in April 2018, it was Shawana’s Salon with artist Erin Kendrick who said, “We can go on and on about what didn’t happen before, or we can just do it.” 166

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Madeleine Peck Wagner

Looking forward: ECPN Radio is the future. Currently we have a partnership with WJCT, 89.9 FM, a radio program where the podcasts are formatted to highlight significant portions of interviews. This is itself hosted by Tim Driscoll who acts—to a certain extent—as a cultural sherpa; that is to say our contextual guide. Our plan is to expand the accessibility and availability via live shows and events, and with the combination of engaging content and portable media, we will serve as an essential media platform for the Southeast region. We aim to gain national syndication in the years to come. As we like to say, “The dopeness is hear.”

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In the digital age, across all sectors of business and media, an organization must remain flexible to be successful. Such agility, along with a deeply rooted collaborative spirit, are intrinsic to organizational makeup of North Floridaâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;focused creative agency Bold Brands. Made up of passionate and resourceful entrepreneurs, designers, writers, and creators from all backgrounds, with many years of experience in their fields, the team at Bold Brands collaboratively works to give the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s range of clients a leg up on the competition in advertising and brand awareness. They are creators that solve problems, create meaningful media, and execute events that elevate their community. Utilizing the industries of publishing, marketing, and event production,

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Bold Brands prides itself on its expertise in content creation, marketing strategies, print and digital advertising, and brand consulting.

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PUBLISHING Through the publishing of two magazines, the bi-monthly Edible Northeast Florida Magazine and the monthly Void Magazine, Bold Brands provides the Northeast Florida community with resources unlike any other media platform in the area. These two publications connect readers with influential community leaders, innovators, and local businesses in a smart and authentic manner, making sponsorship opportunities an easy fit for like-minded entrepreneurs.

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MARKETING

The marketing team at Bold Brands also works with diverse brands, on a spectrum of digital services from social media management to website design and development, to creatively and genuinely reach their audiences, while tapping into new ones simultaneously. Offering marketing services that include brand development, graphic design, social media management, website design, photography, video production, as well as copywriting and editing, Bold Brands has a deep and ever-evolving toolkit to help clients grow and adapt as the landscape continues to change.

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EVENTS

But it’s the events—produced under the Bold Brands banner—that put the organization in a class of its own. It’s a distinctive mix of happenings, to be sure, broadly catering to the diverse population of North Florida and surrounding regions. Examples include the Wine & Trucks fall festival—a kind of foodie and wine-centric showcase of what is trending and delicious from the Jacksonville Florida culinary landscape—and other multiannual events including the Bruval Craft Beer Festival, Let Freedom Swing—Void’s Charity Golf Outing held every Memorial weekend, the Void Pro/Am Surf Contest at the Jacksonville Beach Pier, and Void’s Great American Sip N’ Slide, an Independence Day waterpark takeover that’s not to be missed year after year. With milestones and ambitious plans on the horizon, 2019 looks to be a banner year for Bold Brands. In February, the company’s flagship publication, Void Magazine, celebrated its 100th issue with a special collector’s edition and a community-focused issue-release party. Meanwhile, with the purchase of a new 6,800-square-foot complex in Jacksonville Beach, an expansion is in the works. Aside from serving as the headquarters for Bold Brands’ marketing and publishing arms, the facility will also house a coffee roasting and retail operation, as well as a microbrewery and tasting room to go along with a brand new quarterly, beer-focused publication aimed at advancing and cultivating the region’s burgeoning craft beer scene and educating the public in the same collaborative, innovative, and positive manner adopted by Bold Brand’s current slate of print products.

CONTACT Aaron Meisenheimer, Partner Tye Wallace, Partner, Publisher Matt Shaw, Editor, Void Magazine Lauren Titus, Editor, Edible Magazine Wesley Parsons, Creative Director

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Find Fun Faster with intoGo! The app showcases everything fun to do in our region by tapping simple categories such as Brunch, Cool Date Ideas, Family Fun, and Local Events. intoGo is our city’s easiest and most detailed mobile resource for where to go and what’s going on. intoGo started as a fledgling publication in Southern California, modeled around helping tourists find things to do. They swiftly pivoted to a directory website and relocated to Jacksonville, Florida. Within Jacksonville the directory website, formerly known as TheCity.Guide, was launched and catapulted the company to winning One Spark and acquiring significant investment. Soon came another pivot, the intoGo App. With a new name, new idea, and funding, the company built “The Best Tech Team in Jax” according to the Jacksonville Business Journal. Fast-forward two years and the intoGo mobile app is now the most downloaded “things to do” app in Northeast Florida’s history. It was prized by the community when it was labeled “The Official Destination App of Jacksonville” by the city’s own Visit Jacksonville.

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“We exist to help people get out and explore their community with ease. Our mission is to guide people to explore, experience, and enjoy the world around them. In doing so, we bring happiness to peoples’ lives and help people share experiences and create memories.” —Zachary Schwartz, CEO at intoGo. intoGo can be downloaded for free on Apple and Android devices. The business dashboard only works from a desktop computer. They wanted to give local business owners a chance to get involved with this growing mobile tool, and when they say growing, they mean it’s the fastest-growing entertainment resource in the region. “Local business can claim their intoGo page because they likely already have fans in the app. They can edit tons of content, and do it all for free. They have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Claim your business today,” said Schwartz. Once in the free business dashboard, a business owner can manage their content and update things such as their profile, their description, their hours, business attributes, and all for free! Recently, intoGo has pivoted, yet again, to release a new product, namely the “intoGo Digital Concierge.” With an entertainment directory in hand and the software to continue growing, the company’s CEO, Zachary Schwartz, decided to leverage its relationships with the local hotels. Upon one minute of no one using the machine, it becomes a rotating digital billboard inside the hotel lobby for local businesses to advertise within. With great enthusiasm, Schwartz says, “It’s an entirely new model, presenting new opportunity. It shows great potential.” He also adds, “The key is to never give up. After five years and countless pivots, only now do I finally feel like success is truly on the horizon.”

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“Don’t be afraid to take big steps when one is indicated. You can’t cross a chasm in two small jumps.” – DAVID LLOYD GEORGE

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My takeaway from Female Founders Forum was the amazing energy with the women in the room and just understanding that there are mentors out there and people we can connect with to take things to the next level.

The Female Founders Forum is an annual event, organized by PS27 Empowerment, to motivate and improve the skills of Female Founders, entrepreneurs, and intrepreneurs.

The event brings successful women role models together with early-stage female founders. Each year the event takes place on International Women’s Day. During the event, women share secrets of success and build business relationships and friendships that last a lifetime. The sessions are highly interactive and fully immersive and allow participants to exchange ideas and share best practices. 176

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“My takeaway from Female Founders Forum was the amazing energy with the women in the room and just understanding that there are mentors out there and people we can connect with to take things to the next level,” said Jamie Rich, Founder and CEO of Flamingo Magazine. The mission of the Female Founders Forum is to empower a network of entrepreneurs with resources and experiences to allow them to achieve business success. The program is tailored to startups and features a panel of female leaders that discuss the unique challenges that women face in business. “I really enjoyed being a part of International Women’s Day because I feel we a part of a new momentum of female leaders that are going to dramatically change the way business is done in the future,” said Kelli Murray, Founder and CEO of MedSpeaks, and panel speaker at 2018 Female Founders Forum. The goal of our annual forum is to attract and inspire more women to become better leaders and to build relationships with a community of female founders. To learn more about the PS27 Female Founders Forum please visit: ps27empowerment.org

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TURNING ENTREPRENEURS INTO LEADERS Each year in November, teams come together to invest their time in themselves to better their companies. Emotional intelligence, public speaking, and teamwork are all elements that go into creating a successful leader. When small businesses begin to tackle big issues, PS27 Ventures, a Jacksonville venture capital firm, works with founders to guide them towards their goals. Entrepreneurs and their teams are invited to apply to PS27’s Leadership Week. “Leadership Week is for people with passion, passionate founders, who want to develop themselves and their team to launch their business to the next level,” said Brandon Gouthro, PS27 Associate. “Leadership Week is not for the lazy and not for the people who are complacent, who just want to sit idle and watch their companies move in a flat line.” The ideal attendee is a founder with 2 or 3 people on their team, a defined product or service, and has customers. During PS27’s Leadership Week, founders learn how to better communicate to their team, customers, investors, and their community. They also learn how to accelerate the growth of their business. “This is an intense, week-long workshop lasting roughly 12 hours a day, for entrepreneurs, founders, and owners to step up, stay open-minded, and learn something. Dedication, passion, and willingness are absolute musts before you even consider applying—else it’s likely you will drop out by the second day. Having been to several conferences and seminars, there is no truthful comparison to PS27 Leadership Week. Sure, it can be grueling. Yes, it will be frustrating. It is clear the main objective is to train, teach, and provide entrepreneurs with the knowledge and tools to reach a level of success they desire and wish for—but utilizing the tools provided to you in the real world is up to you,” said Alex Hatala, 2018 PS27 Leadership Week participant.

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Leadership Week is not for the lazy and not for the people who are complacent, who just want to sit idle and watch their companies move in a flat line.

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PS27 Learn more about this year’s Leadership Week at ps27empowerment.org 7835 Bayberry Road | Jacksonville, FL 32256 PS27Empowerment PS27Empowerment 179

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TEDxJACKSONVILLE

Our team has embraced the challenge of bringing the TEDx experience to Jacksonville because we believe our city’s greatest assets are the ideas and dreams of its citizenry. Ideas have the power to reshape minds and change the way people act. Dreams are the birthplace of the possible. But, too often, dreams are deferred and ideas, unheard, because they lack a platform that gives them voice. We want TEDxJacksonville to be that platform. TEDxJacksonville exists to open minds with inspiring ideas. We’re dedicated to Jacksonville being an informed, inspired, and engaged community. Each year, our speakers and performers come from around the world and from our community—to bring big ideas to share, ideas with the potential to change lives. The impact of TEDxJacksonville can be expressed in the energy of the conference day or in our global reach. Each talk and performance is shared on the global TEDx Talks YouTube channel with more than 17 million subscribers. 180

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After seven past conference events, TEDxJacksonville has produced more than 100 talks and performances on our stages— and those videos have garnered more than 2 million views. Our speakers have taken those ideas and talks to other stages— from corporate boardrooms to the Florida Supreme Court. Beyond our conferences, we program live TEDxJacksonville Salon events throughout the year. In our history, we’ve welcomed thousands of attendees to our events, with talks and expert-led discussions helping spark new conversations within our city limits and beyond. Among those attendees, TEDxJacksonville has invited hundreds of high school and college students to our conferences for free or at a reduced cost. Our goal is to present talks on issues that matter to our community—free from corporate, political, and religious agendas— and to spark a real dialogue about how to

make a difference. Our intention is to ensure that those voices are heard and shared. And our partners see significant value in our city having a prominent and nationally recognized TEDx group. “The impact of TEDxJacksonville on the broader community is they know there’s a place—kind of a safe space and time where we can have a smart conversation,” Jacksonville University President Tim Cost said. “People can come together and debate and discuss big issues. I think it means a great deal to the community to know TEDxJacksonville is going to be there every year for this kind of discussion.” Our team of high-achieving volunteers is led by co-organizers Doug Coleman and Sabeen Perwaiz. Please visit us at TEDxJacksonville.com to view our upcoming events or contact sabeen@tedxjacksonville.com.

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CODE ON THE BEACH We cover everything from programming languages, product management, UI/UX design principles to cloud infrastructure.

Founded in 2013 as a non-profit organization, Code on the Beach continues to be North Florida’s premier software development conference. Over the course of 7 years, we have featured hundreds of speakers from around the globe. We have covered everything from programming languages to product management to UI/UX design principles to cloud infrastructure. In the last few years, the event has sold out and brought some of the world’s most recognized leaders to speak on these topics. In line with our non-profit mission, we release almost all session videos for free on YouTube after each event, for those globally that cannot make it to our events. We have been very fortunate to have been sponsored by some of the largest companies in the country, including Google, Allstate, and CSX. As well as some of the best companies to work for here in Jacksonville, including Availity, Beeline, SS&C Black Diamond, Forcura, Interactive Resources, and one of our founding sponsors Feature[23]—who still supports us to this day. Over the last seven years, we have hosted our event at One Ocean Resort and Spa directly on the Atlantic Ocean in Atlantic Beach, Florida. We are super excited to announce that we will be returning to One Ocean in July 2020. The plans for 2020 will extend the conference an additional day to bring in more speakers and more unique sessions. It will also include our dedicated technical workshops that we have hosted since 2018. Not to mention, we will continue to work with our sponsors and host entertainment and events throughout the Atlantic Beach area. 182

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As mentioned, Code on the Beach is a non-profit organization and completely volunteer-driven. Each year we have recruited volunteers throughout local companies, non-profits, and college students willing to invest their time in making this a great event. We have also worked with many local companies to provide everything from Audio/Visual to Photography, as well as provide music for our videos and events. We could not have done Code on the Beach without them, and we look forward to their help in the future to continue our conference into 2020 and beyond.

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JAX TECH

As innovation in Jacksonville continues to grow, Jax Tech will continue to be the glue that holds together the technology community.

ELEVATOR PITCH JaxTech is about the tech of business in Jacksonville. This group’s mission is to highlight local Jax organizations and how they are using technology and innovation in various ways—whether it’s for marketing or ops, hardware or software, so we can all collectively learn and apply that knowledge in our own businesses and industries.

OUR STORY Jax Tech was founded by Kelly Dyer, serial entrepreneur and CEO of SourceFuse and Inventory Source, in 2015 as a way to bring together the siloed Jacksonville community under one roof to discuss technology and highlight the innovation that was happening in the city. Over the last five years, Jax Tech has grown to over 2,000 members who meet regularly to learn, share, and collaborate. Each meeting allows for interactive presentations on the creative and practical use of technology from Jax businesses and startups, 184

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and provides for the exchange of new ideas, meeting fellow innovators, and continuing to expand the overall technology scene in Jax.

Who Attends: From startups to executives, those seasoned in the technology space, and those that don’t work in technology at all—all are welcome! The strength of Jax Tech comes from its diverse members that form the Jax Tech community. Come meet fellow technologyminded individuals and build lasting relationships.

Topics: We try to cover a wide range of topics at Jax Tech. With such a diverse and experienced group of technologists in Jacksonville, who are always innovating, doing the next great thing, there is never a shortage of topics to cover. • Fintech • Machine Learning and AI • Sports Technology • HealthTech • Founded & Funded Startups

• Cyber Security • Smart City Initiative • FutureTech • Ecommerce

Why Attend? Find your dream job. Learn from industry experts. Share experiences with your peers. Highlight your advancements in innovation. Find out more about what’s happening in Jax.

What’s Next: As innovation in Jacksonville continues to grow, Jax Tech will continue to be the glue that holds together the technology community. We will continue to bring you great speakers like those we’ve had in the past, such as PGA Tour, Jacksonville Jaguars, Black Diamond, Venus Swimwear, Johnson and Johnson, Mayo Clinic, and so many more. With great sponsors such as SourceFuse, Inventory Source, and Advos Legal, Jax Tech will continue to service the technology community for the foreseeable future. “There’s a tech community here; there’s a tech community in BayMeadows, there’s a tech community in downtown, there’s a tech community in Orange Park. Being able to bring them all together through events like Jax Tech, I think, is really how you create those connections. Then, people start meeting together individually and really driving new ideas, new technologies. Its really from people who are interested in it getting the opportunity to get to talk to each other in this type of setting. I really think Jack Tech does a great job!” Phillip O’Donnell, VP Data Science and Analytics at Adecco

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BIG DATA JAX

A meetup group that serves as a forum for professionals to network and learn from industry leaders about the latest in data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence.

ELEVATOR PITCH Big Data Jax focuses on all things dataâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;from analytics and statistics to machine learning and AI. This 2,400-member group consists of the data experts in Jacksonville and meets the last Tuesday of every month.

OUR STORY Big Data Jax (BDJ) was founded in early 2013 by two technology visionaries, Robby Robertson, COO, NLP Logix, and Jack Caven, Technology Entrepreneur and Founder of multiple tech-enabled companies, with the goal of providing a forum to network with other data-driven professionals. This vision has grown to one of the 186

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largest tech meetup groups in Northeast Florida, attracting an average of 50–75 attendees who gather each month to network and see a presentation by a person or organization that is using data to solve business problems. BDJ sets itself apart by not only consistently attracting a large group for each event but also by attracting top-quality presenters who speak on a range of topics, from technical deep dives to business use cases. In the past two years some of the speakers have included: • Jacksonville Jaguars—how they use analytics to drive customer engagement. • Professional Golfers Association (PGA)—how they have transformed into a digital organization to support their members. • The Florida Poison Information Center Network—presented its statewide analytics platform and algorithmic monitoring of the poison exposure reporting. • Ravi Nair, CTO of Percipient and Big Data technology guru • The Florida Data Science for Social Good—gives a yearly presentation showing data science projects completed by interns.

MILESTONES January 2013—BDJ was founded. June 2016—BDJ hit 1,000 members! May 2017—Moved into NLP Logix Office. January 2018—Biggest Talk to date: Matt Berseth of NLP Logix and a team of neurosurgeons from Mayo Clinic spoke about identifying strokes through image recognition.

The meetup group is now organized and led by Katie Bakewell, Lead Statistician, NLP Logix, and Karly Jacobsen, PhD, Senior Analyst, NLP Logix. The two data professionals use their network of other data practitioners to recruit and attract new and interesting speakers as well as attract corporate sponsors whose cash donation goes to purchasing beer and pizza for the events.

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AIRSTREAM VENTURES

Memorable moments come in many different shapes and sizes. Airstream Ventures partners with events, companies, and nonprofits to create those moments and unique experiences that connect the community on a deeper level.

In July of 2018, Alan Verlander and Joel Lamp decided to take a risk and leave their current jobs of working in all types of sports properties. Their desire was to create and sell unique events all over the country. The team has developed a passion, energy, focus, and adoration that has catapulted Airstream Ventures into the world of sports and experiential marketing. In the short time since the inception of the company, Airstream Ventures has already made an impact in the city of Jacksonville, working with Spartan, Lucas Oil Pro Motocross, NCAA March Madness, Party Shack, Walk Off Charities, and Jax Beach Festivals.

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The company also has an innovative concept to give back to the community with the creation of High School 9:12. The program takes a holistic approach to guide high school students and athletes to reach their full potential. This program utilizes academics, sports, and life skills to increase opportunities of success for students after graduation. “We have something to offer both corporations and individuals, and I believe there is no one like us in Jacksonville,” says Founder and CEO Alan Verlander, and that’s how Airstream Ventures will change lives, increase business, and leave a legacy. For information about High School 9:12 or how to get involved, log on to www. jaxhighschool912.com. For updates, follow @highschool912 on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

“I think you are going to see a lot of great things from them in the years to come as they continue to develop what they are doing,” Spartan Senior Director of Business Development Cherie Bortnick said. “There’s a lot of passion behind what they do ... those are typically the organizations that really seem to excel in making their mark on a community.”

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1630 Emerson Street, Jacksonville, FL 32217 | +1-904-568-0495 | AirstreamV | airstream-ventures | airstreamventures airstreamventures.com

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“If at first the idea is not absurd, then there is no hope for it.” – ALBERT EINSTEIN

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THE COMPANY

STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS

Florida Funders, founded in 2013, is a hybrid a venture capital fund and crowd-funding platform that invests in early-stage technology companies in Florida.

Florida Funders has drastically expanded their outreach over the last year by partnering with key organizations throughout Florida. Florida Funders announced a joint venture with announces a joint venture with Florida Angel NEXUS, an angel investment group. Florida Angel NEXUS is a statewide network of accredited angel investors, funds, and family offices focused on investing in early-state high-growth ventures.

The firm is led by an experienced team of serial entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and experienced angel investors with a proven track record of successful exits and a shared passion for growing the next generation of Florida tech companies.

In addition, Florida Funders was selected by the Florida Institute for Commercialization of Public Research to provide growth to emerging technology companies in Florida. The portfolio from the Institute for Commercialization of Florida Technology provides Florida Funders with a $22 million-dollar portfolio and 64 Florida-based technology companies to grow and create value for the State of Florida and Florida Funders stakeholders.

Working with individual investors, Florida Funders creates special investment vehicles as an LLC to represent the investors once the investment minimum has been reached. Florida Funders sees a large number of deals per month and puts them through a rigorous vetting process to find the very best companies to invest in.

SUCCESS STORIES

Post-funding, the firm treats its portfolio companies as partners, providing value-added resources to help their businesses grow. The firm uses its partners, their networks, and its investors to provide coaching, industry advice, and introductions to potential customers as well as later-stage venture capital firms. These resources give start-ups the best chance to succeed at building a break-out technology company.

Within the last year Florida Funders has invested $5.7M into 8 exciting early stage technology companies. Florida Funders has completed investments in emerging Florida startups, including PICKUP, Peerfit, Homee, RepScrubs and ClassWallet. 192

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Florida Funders completed a $1.22 million-dollar investment in PICKUP, an agile last mile delivery platform for large or heavy retail product that features Good Guys - a trusted network of military veterans, first responders and handy professionals. With Florida Funders investment, PICKUP announces plans to continue expansion.

Lastly, Florida Funders invested $735,000 in Jacksonville-based ClassWallet, a highly practical and powerful web-based spend management tool especially designed for the vast educational market. More than 2,000 schools nationwide currently use ClassWallet to automate processes for transactions for over 63,000 teachers and principals.

Additionally, Florida Funders announced two follow-up investments, total totaling $575k, in Peerfit , a Tampa-based health technology company that provides a digital platform for employers to offer employees health and fitness benefits.

PICKUP, Peerfit, Homee, RepScrubs and ClassWallet are just five of many key investments Florida Funders has completed within the last year as they continue to fulfill their mission of turning the ‘Sunshine State’ into the ‘Startup State’. Florida Funders will continue to partner with new organizations and invest in growing startups throughout the upcoming year, meanwhile, growing the economy in the state of Florida.

Florida Funders completed a $1 million-dollar follow on investment in Homee, an on-demand mobile application responsible for connecting customers with local service providers. Homee provides homeowners, property managers, offices, restaurants, hotels and more with access to handymen, electrical, HVAC, plumbing service providers through the Apple and Android application. Florida Funders announced a $1.1 million-dollar investment in RepScrubs, a Sanford, Florida-based smart scrub solution for modern medical facilities. RepScrubs provides a vending machine system that distributes disposable scrubs for medical device representatives inside of hospitals to create a more sterile solution for healthcare.

1311 North Westshore Blvd, Suite 101 Tampa, Florida 33607 flfunders company-beta/3279995 FloridaFunders floridafunders.com 193

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OFFICE EVOLUTION OF JACKSONVILLE

ELEVATOR PITCH Office Evolution provides flexible shared workspace to small businesses, entrepreneurs, and startup companies. This is done by providing turnkey workspace solutions in the form of co-working, private offices, meeting space, and other business services. Office Evolution plays a key role in building Jacksonville’s entrepreneurial ecosystem through creating a collaborative community that allows for companies to focus on their businesses.

OUR STORY While most people have heard of co-working, they’re likely unaware that it has both existed for decades and that it currently empowers more than 1.2 million people worldwide according to the Global Coworking Survey. Michael Wielgus is bringing co-working to Jacksonville in a big way. He also knows that co-working—and specifically Office Evolution—

can play an important role in the city’s innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystems. “The biggest thing is getting people to understand where to put us. When they hear Office Evolution, a lot of things come to mind. Sometimes they think we’re a furniture company—or an office-design firm,” Michael says with a laugh. “But what we really do is provide flexible turnkey solutions for entrepreneurs and small companies that allow them to focus on their business.” Not only does Office Evolution provide private offices, co-working, and meeting space but they also provide everything in between from furniture, phones, security, reception, mail services, fiber internet, private VLAN, and even beverages. Michael says, “Just bring your laptop and we can have you ready to start working that same day.” Office Evolution also provides this with flexible terms from long-term agreements to hourly on-demand. It allows small companies to grow and take space as they need it, while preserving cash. Office Evolution has the agility to accommodate anything from a oneperson home-based entrepreneur that needs a business address and 194

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a place to work to large firms looking for swing space as they build out their own permanent space. Office Evolution has a place for them both and everyone in between. Industries of all stripes—technology, logistics, healthcare, law firms, and more—occupy Office Evolution’s modern, highquality spaces.

“Not only do we get to provide them with great space, but we also get to understand and learn more about their businesses and their dreams. Our goal is to try to make connections and to help them reach their goals. We want to create an environment where they can all feed off of each other, to learn from each other and to refer business to each other. Making meaningful connections is something that has become a primary driver.”

“We do have some clients who prefer to work behind a closed door, but lots of people enjoy the social aspect that Office Evolution provides,” Michael says. “They can bounce ideas off each other and get interesting perspectives on their projects that otherwise they wouldn’t have encountered. There is a diverse group of industries and all different types of roles under one roof. The knowledge base is there and willingly shared amongst members.”

Michael also had the foresight to secure the area rights to Jacksonville and surrounding areas, increasing the strength and reach of a web that’s benefiting the city’s entrepreneurs now and into the future. He has committed to developing five locations in Jacksonville and plans to serve over 500 local companies and over 1,000 members when local development is complete.

Office Evolution is the largest co-working franchise in the country with headquarters in Denver, CO. As the franchise owner and Area Developer, a Jacksonville native, and a seasoned businessman himself, one of Michael’s passions is helping local entrepreneurs and in particular, his Office Evolution members.

“We’re trying to bring all of these people in our community together to create a more formalized network to help entrepreneurs here in Jacksonville,” he says. Thanks to Office Evolution, Jacksonville’s innovation ecosystem can only grow stronger.

+1-904-512-7393 Jacksonville.FL@officeevolution.com Office-Evolution-Jacksonville officeevolution.com/jacksonville 195

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LIONSHARE COWORK IS ABOUT OPPORTUNITY.

With the entrepreneur, small business owner, and business professional in mind, we provide you an opportunity to grow, to shine, and to succeed. Our fully furnished innovative spaces give you the creative and productive flow you need to achieve your goals and get work done.

As a busy business professional, Mike knew that there had to be others out there like him, who were looking for the same things: • To get out of the house • An affordable workspace to call their own • Reliable wifi • An innovative and creative space

Founder Mike Januzzi discovered an opportunity for coworking one day after his house had been struck by lightning. After a series of unfortunate events that followed, this led him to a congested, hard-to-commute-to, noparking co-work space in downtown Jacksonville. After spending $70 in one day and 3 hours in the car just to find a place with solid internet that he could work from that day, Mike acted on that opportunity.

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“I recently attended an event at LionShare and was absolutely floored by this space! With consistent high speed internet, a wide variety of spaces to work in, an amazing training room, and an extremely well-stocked kitchen, it truly is the perfect co-working environment.” —Shannon S. LionShare Solutions include: • Virtual Offices • Shared Workspace • Dedicated Desks • Private Offices • Meeting Rooms LionShare invites all entrepreneurs, small business owners, and business professionals to take advantage of the opportunity to get out of the house and “Join the Pride!”

Mike acted on the opportunity and built a space in Jacksonville where co-workers can come together and do their best work. With solutions for every need, LionShare has changed the way productive co-working is done. It’s why LionShare was awarded the 2018 Member’s Choice Award by coworker.com.

“Above and beyond all expectations & affordable, too! Fantastic assortment of workspace options for every sort of business need; the meeting spaces, especially ‘The Lion’s Den,’ are the best I’ve seen. Beautiful space, design, aesthetic, attentive owner with excellent customer service ... everything about this place rocks!” —Christine W.

LionShare Cowork 14333 Beach Blvd., Suite 33 Jacksonville, FL 32250 +1-904-719-0209 info@lionsharecowork.com lionsharecowork.com 197

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HUMAN RESOURCES 198

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“Sometimes you gotta create what you want to be a part of.” — GERI WEITZMAN

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BEELINE

Ours is a story of true innovation, perseverance, and grit, which eventually led the company to be one of the two dominant forces in workforce management.

Beeline is a Jacksonville-based company just exiting its teenage years. Beeline isn’t a household name; in fact, most of the Jacksonville populace has never even heard of this international company that boasts Jacksonville as its global headquarters. With offices in Denver, Detroit, London, Singapore, Sydney, and Manila, Beeline employs close to 500 employees across the globe—approximately 200 in Jacksonville. While few recognize the company’s name, everyone recognizes the names of the world’s largest and best brands that Beeline counts among its customer base. Locally, Beeline’s customers include CXC, Florida Blue, JEA, Wells Fargo, JPMorgan Chase, Deutsche Bank, Black Knight, and FIS. Beeline was the brainchild of local executive, Tim Payne who, with Bob Crouch, ran the MPS Group under Derek Dewan’s chairmanship. Tim spotted an opportunity to disrupt their current staffing business model and launched Beeline. This was an early example of executive leadership, realizing they could innovate and create an entire business market by disrupting their business model. Beeline brought automation, visibility, competition, compliance, and cost reduction to the Fortune 2000, who had traditionally worked with staffing companies via email and timeconsuming meetings. The staffing landscape would never be the same.

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Fast-forward almost 20 years, and Beeline serves hundreds of the Fortune 2000 and is recognized across the globe as an essential partner in sourcing, managing, and reporting on the extended workforce. What is the extended workforce? Anyone who isn’t a full-time employee, but works for a company, is considered to be part of the extended workforce. This group includes temporary contractors, project-based consultants, freelancers, and anyone in the “gig economy.” Many people don’t realize that companies spend hundreds of millions, and in many cases, billions of dollars annually supplementing their traditional workforce. In the early 2000s, others saw the promise of Beeline’s disruption and endeavored to compete. Over 100 companies were vying for market dominance. The MPS Group’s little startup continued to focus on innovation and customer service until it emerged, finally, at the top of its industry. Today, the two largest players, by far, are Beeline and SAP, but Beeline continues to differentiate on innovation and customer service. Beeline is disrupting its industry again with machine learning and artificial intelligence. Beeline is tapping into its massive stores of data (almost $50 billion of extended workforce spend streams through Beeline’s technology every year) to bring predictive insights and alternative sourcing methods to its clients. The latest innovations render job descriptions and traditional resumes relics of the past. By knowing its users better than its users know themselves, Beeline’s grasp of individual buying behavior, predilections, and market costs offer hiring managers unprecedented value. “Hey Alexa, I need a project manager for five months starting on February first.” “Outsiders” often assume Beeline is based in Silicon Valley. We’re proud to hail from the First Coast. Jacksonville is an up-and-coming tech hub, and we are able to access top tier talent. Many of our most successful colleagues graduated from the University of North Florida. Additionally, the quality of life is unparalleled, and our snow-laden clients love to visit us in the winter. Look for more innovation out of Beeline as we set our sights on the next 20 years!

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benefits and employee handbooks to compensation, compliance, hiring, training, and outplacement. This way each client can focus on what’s important: growing their business.

THE STORY

ELEVATOR PITCH

Peoplr understands the struggles that growing businesses face, and understanding this means that they do things differently. Their recruiting and people management solutions are all customizable and available online. It all began with the HireSpec™, their proprietary questionnaire designed to help business owners and company leaders quickly define their requirements and articulate precisely who they want to hire. Peoplr has made it really easy for anyone to find the HR service they need and get the ball rolling anytime—day or night. All of their questionnaires are fun, easy, and available online 24/7!

Peoplr is a team of human resources experts who tackle all kinds of headaches and turn them into great business results by providing flexible and cost-effective strategies that address a company’s human resources needs. From startups to thriving Fortune 100 companies, Peoplr has each client covered with expert solutions for attracting, hiring, retaining, developing, and even transitioning top talent. Their customizable approach is designed to help clients empower their work family with a team of HR professionals who are on call when needed to handle everything from

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WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT

MILESTONES

Engage Peoplr for as much or as little HR support as you need and leave what you don’t. Peoplr’s service model was born out of the need to help businesses grow at all levels—from the startup phase to the expansion stage—without breaking the bank. They also have a dedicated Client Concierge who will walk you through your service delivery process and be there to answer your questions along the way.

Named one of the Jacksonville Business Journal’s “Best Places to Work” in 2018 and 2019. “They were an immediate part of my team and quickly assessed our needs, understood our culture, and assisted through all of our HR needs. 10 out of 10,” says Chris Walker, Partner at Lippes Mathias Wexler Freidman, LLP.

FAST FACTS

“We lean on Peoplr as a guide through human resources and we wouldn’t have it any other way. Their commitment and teamwork approach has helped us elevate our most important asset, our people, to the next level,” says Alan Worley, President of Money Pages.

Incorporated: 2014 Current State: Growth & Expansion Number of Employees: 13 Percentage of Repeat Business: 75%

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Peoplr +1-904-367-3046 | concierge@mypeoplr.com | MyPeoplr | mypeoplr | mypeoplr.com

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ALLUVION: SHAPING THE FUTURE OF WORK AND OUR WORKFORCE

Few companies have the opportunity to shape and transform the future in the ways that Alluvion is doing it. This national talent acquisition and outsourcing firm sits at the crossroads of a technological revolution and dynamically changing labor market that is redefining the work and the workforce of tomorrow.

talent to fill these roles, but do so at a time when many workers, including new graduates, are not adequately prepared for this changing world of work. Add to this the increasingly important challenge of identifying the proper culture fits between top candidates and companies when the demographics and psychographics of the labor force are themselves undergoing fundamental shifts, and you begin to get an idea of the size and complexity of Alluvionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s task.

Advances in productivity and economic growth brought about by emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, robotics, and computer engineering are reconstructing possibilities in every segment of the global economy, especially in IT. This advancement is creating a new set of jobs and needs for employers who must consider not only how to attract and recruit the right

Rather than wringing their hands over these challenges, Alluvion is taking a forward-thinking approach to help companies and candidates overcome them. Leveraging the knowledge acquired from making 20,000+ placements and building a candidate database in excess of 1 million, Alluvion is investing in its workforce and community to accelerate innovation and prosperity. 204

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David Reichard, President & CEO of Alluvion, along with Partners Sean Reichard, Macky Weaver, and Robert Davis, view their unique position in the marketplace, and ability to reshape and realign the workplace and workforce, not just as a fortuitous business opportunity, but a professional, civic, and moral responsibility. “We believe it’s our duty to nurture an ecosystem that brings education, talent, and corporate needs into long-term alignment, to create a sustainable model for companies and workers to grow together in ways that are meaningful for all of us,” says Reichard. To do this, Alluvion has been employing innovative methods and technologies internally and externally. Four years ago, Alluvion, along with other business leaders came together to launch the Northeast Florida STEM2 Hub in Jacksonville. and underserved communities with the resources required to develop their STEM talents.

Envisioned as a workforce and educational initiative to focus on the STEM fields of science, technology, engineering, and math/medicine, the STEM2 Hub has proven an enormous success. The STEM2 Hub has been influencing curriculum and providing teachers with the resources required to prepare students to excel in the workforce. These teachers are impacting tens of thousands of students, clubs,

While Alluvion is working to bridge the skills gap to develop a sustainable new workforce, internally it is leveraging technology like automation and data analytics, to identify and hire the best candidates for its clients. The best candidates have a unique combination of skills, culture, talent, and values that align with each company. Aligning professionals with the best opportunity will allow individuals to achieve the most career success. By leveraging technology in creative ways and supporting an innovative approach to workforce development within its local communities, Alluvion, in a very human way, is making the future better for everyone. After all, it’ll be here by tomorrow.

Alluvion 4190 Belfort Road, Suite 160 | Jacksonville, FL 32216 +1-904-296-0626 alluvionstaffing | alluvion | alluvion-staffing alluvion.com 205

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BREEZY HR

Hiring doesn’t have to be messy. Say Sayonara! to the stacks of resumes cluttering up your workspace and let Breezy help you find your next A-player, sooner. With Breezy, you’ll automate time-sucking hiring tasks like advertising yours jobs, emailing, texting candidates, scheduling interviews, and chasing down your team for feedback.

Breezy is the fun-to-use hiring platform that turns your messy hiring hacks into a pain-free process candidates love. Breezy HR was started in 2014 when founder Darren Bounds saw a need to ditch outdated and clunky hiring software in favor of something feature-rich and streamlined. Darren has over a decade’s experience building HR tech that puts people first. Darren is also the former VP of Technology at Taleo, the world’s largest provider of HR software solutions. 206

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Breezy gives you and your team the power to build and optimize your hiring process. Visualize your hiring stages in an easy-to-use drag-anddrop pipeline and get your team involved early for engaged and collaborative hiring decisions in real-time. With Breezy, you can post to over 50 job boards in one click and fine tune your audiences with premium boards to fit your specific positions. Our sourcing extension allows you to proactively source candidates from a broad range of social sites. Once you have the perfect candidates, you can quickly automate emails, text messages, and interview scheduling, improving your candidate experience and giving you back more of your time. Coco Pahl, Head of Product at Waitr, uses Breezy to cut her hiring process down close to just 15 minutes. “With Breezy, we can automatically create accounts for drivers in our payroll system, shift scheduling service, driver system, LMS, and automatically order their background check. We can even allow them to self-schedule their own interviews.... Our goal is to decrease the amount of time is takes our city managers to interview, hire, and onboard each candidate to 15 minutes and we’re getting close to that.” Breezy 1534 Oak Street, #301 | Jacksonville, FL 32204 +1-844-927-3399 success@breezyhr.com GetBreezy | breezy_hr | breezy-hr breezy.hr

Breezy is the most highly rated HR and applicanttracking product in customer satisfaction on Gartner 3 years running. Get in Touch! 207

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LEGAL & PROFESSIONAL CONSULTING 208

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“Daring ideas are like chessmen moved forward; they may be beaten, but they may start a winning game." – JOHANN GOETHE

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FORBES GILHAM GROUP of Wells Fargo Advisors

WHO WE ARE A dedicated group of seasoned financial advisory professionals who coordinate the various skills and background of each team member to meet the needs of their client base.

WHAT WE DO The Forbes Gilham Group of Wells Fargo Advisors takes a different approach to the needs of business owners and families. They have ability to take a long-term perspective to providing clarity and confidence to the decisions entrepreneurs are faced with every single day. Fundamentally, the organization can provide insights into how to improve businesses’ financial health. Moving beyond the basics, the team can provide education on life management services and succession planning. The team plays an active role in consulting through Business Advisory Resources to provide actionable advice on business valuations, transition planning, and management of closely held assets. In many situations, business owners’ and entrepreneurs’ largest asset is a concentrated, illiquid position; their business. The Forbes Gilham Group aims to provide the most suitable advice for preserving and transitioning that asset. The group is willing to invest time, planning resources, and social capital for the longterm success of thriving, innovative companies.

COMMUNITY We believe in giving back and benefiting the communities where we live and work. We are actively involved in local and international charities, faith-based organizations, financial literacy education, and other nonprofit organizations aimed at enhancing the lives of those around us.

Daniel R. Gilham Vice President—Investment Officer PIM Portfolio Manager

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OUR WEALTH MANAGEMENT SERVICES COMPREHENSIVE WEALTH MANAGEMENT CONSULTING SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, AND ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO: Investment Management Services, including: Asset Allocation, Tax Aware Investing, Investment & Investment Manager Selection • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Estate Planning Strategies Charitable & Philanthropic Planning Strategies Tax Efficiency Strategies Family Foundation Investment Management & Consulting Legacy Planning Strategies Endowment Investment Consulting & External CIO Services Asset Preservation Strategies Liability Management Services Performance & Planning Reviews “Accountant Ready” Tax Packages—1099s summarized and emailready Capital-Gains Tax Adjustment Strategies Coordination with your Estate Attorney, CPA, & Other Advisors Retirement Planning Education Planning

Thomas A. Forbes, II Managing Director—Investment Officer Fundament Choice Portfolio Manager

CONSULTING SERVICES FOR BUSINESS OWNERS INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO: • • • • • •

Business Succession Planning: Family Succession, Internal Succession & External Succession Estate Planning Strategies for the Business Owner Key Person Planning Tax Deferral Strategies Retirement Plans for the Entity Executive Benefits Consulting Services

CONSULTING SERVICES FOR EXECUTIVES INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO: • •

• •

Stock Option, Grants & Restricted Stock Strategies: 10(b)51 Plans, 83(b) Elections, AMT Planning Concentrated Position Strategies: Hedging Alternatives, Exchange Strategies, Capital-Gains Planning Strategies, Gifting Techniques, Charitable Planning Strategies Executive Benefits Analysis Executive Planning Services

Wells Fargo Advisors and its affiliates do not provide legal or tax advice. Transactions requiring tax consideration should be reviewed carefully with your accountant or tax advisor. Any estate plan should be reviewed by an attorney who specializes in estate planning and is licensed to practice law in your state. Wells Fargo Advisors is a trade name used by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC, Member SIPC. Alexander B. Intriago Financial Advisor

One Independent Drive, Suite 2400 | Jacksonville, FL 32202 +1-904-351-7608 | Toll-free: +1-800-342-0689 | forbesgilham.com

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PLATYPUS LABS Innovation Is Mission-Critical

We provide holistic, fully-orchestrated programs to help harness and deploy innovation. Similar to the platypus, we believe that the greatest innovations are an amalgamation of seemingly disparate insights and ideas that together create surprising, unexpected outcomes, enabling organizations to deliver their own toxic blow and outpunch the competition. We live in unprecedented times. Exponential complexity, dizzying speeds, disruptive technologies, and ruthless competition have leveled the playing field for some, while concurrently threatening established industry leaders. As many advantages of the past have become commoditized, competitive advantage has become elusive. In todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hyper-competitive environment, we can no longer simply rely on previous models and expect to win. Clinging to past successes has been the downfall of far too many companies; far too many careers.

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In these fistfighting times, developing a culture of innovation is missioncritical. Innovation is the most powerful force to foster sustainable success. It fuels growth, serves clients, and contributes to mission-based pursuits. Innovative cultures help attract and retain the best and brightest talent and fight back against competitive threats and constricting margins. Driving innovation at all levels of the organization is something many leaders recognize as critically important, but only a few have embraced a proactive and systematic approach. According to recent research conducted by CB Insights, 85% of organizations agree that innovation is “extremely important” or “very important” to their organization’s growth strategy, yet less than 35% have established processes to develop it.

The one thing that can’t be outsourced or automated is human creativity— it’s an untapped natural resource in most organizations. As human beings, we are all hardwired for creativity. But too often, rigid schooling, ruthless bosses, and punishing societal pressures systematically extinguish our creative flames. Platypus Labs elevates and transforms organizations by systematically unlocking the creative potential of every team member and stakeholder. We provide holistic, fully orchestrated programs to help our clients harness and deploy innovation. We empower our clients to solve complex problems, seize opportunities, and realize profound economic success by unlocking the creative potential of their people through cutting-edge, transformative experiences and methodologies. With over five decades of experience in the field of innovation, technology, and the science of change, our team of experts bring knowledge and firsthand experience to your organization. Disruption is here; don’t let it catch you by surprise. Regain your competitive edge with a strategic innovation plan. Platypus Labs exists to solve this problem.

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Platypus Labs +1-248-206-7070 | platypuslabs.com

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VALUEMAPPING

THE STORY ValueMapping’s foundations were established in the late 1990s when founder Al Emerick first began working with clients in broadcast advertising and brand development. His exploration of how people defined value was a key driver in his discovery process, but he lacked a consistent and scalable approach to gather data and assess communication gaps. In 2013, Emerick was leading marketing and communications for a national healthcare management company and coaching startup entrepreneurs on crafting their elevator pitch to investors. It was during this time that he recognized a consistent and frequent problem: people struggled to define their value and the value of their products and services. He set out to solve this challenge.

ELEVATOR PITCH ValueMapping® is a GPS for clarifying human and business value and then authentically communicating that story to the world.

Emerick researched how value is perceived across both personal and business relationships and environments. He found common variance in how people defined value as well as recurring disconnection between 216

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value perceptions and impact. People discounted the emotional impact of feelings, despite the acknowledgment of emotion being a core driver of value. He concluded that for value to be truly elevated and leveraged, there had to be a balance and bridge between the cognitive “head” and emotional “heart.” This theory changed Al’s life and birthed the launch of his path to redefine value within society.

THE PROCESS ValueMapping’s patent-pending process utilizes coaching, workshops, and training to impact three core business functions: • Leadership: Execution of goals and strategy, efficiency in creating business solutions, organizational alignment, and communication • Culture & Talent: Employee connectivity, talent development • Sales & Marketing: Brand story, customer insights, and sharable language

THE FUTURE ValueMapping’s mission is to connect people through a deeper understanding and the meaningful sharing of value expressed by impact. Their vision is to become the GPS society uses to leverage value for personal, professional, and spiritual growth.

TESTIMONIALS “ValueMapping provides a genuine, practical, and simple approach to clarifying and communicating the value of your organization, employees, and stakeholders. It is an exhilarating and exciting process.” —Phyllis Martin, Head of Community Impact & Strategic Investments, United Way of NE Florida “ValueMapping’s tools and process elevated my team’s ability to clearly and succinctly articulate the value of their efforts to a broader audience and built confidence and enthusiasm for the work they are doing.” —Christine Meringolo, Former VP Consumer Engagement, Bayer Consumer Health Once learned, the process is supported by tools and technology which facilitate adaptation and integration into operations and strategy.

DIFFERENTIATOR What sets ValueMapping apart is its flexibility, speed, and authenticity. It can be applied to anything deemed to have value, across any industry. From people, products, and services, to strategy, goals, projects, and tasks, ValueMapping quickly achieves deep insights and creates meaningful dialogue with unprecedented efficiency. The process, while systemized and pragmatic, is also a human experience and provides a platform for the authentic exchange of ideas. Typical barriers to problem-solving are lowered with less effort because trust is established more quickly. This frees people to communicate more clearly while focusing on creatively and collectively developing solutions.

“To say ValueMapping has been transformative is an understatement.” —David Miller, Co-Founder/CEO, Brightway Insurance “ValueMapping helped us successfully launch in the US because it allowed us to give our technicians and leaders a greater connection to their worth personally and to the business. They take that into the field every day.” —Richard Nuttall, President, City Facilities Management Our value is our DNA. It lives within each of us, our families, businesses, and community. We want to help you lift your value, so please reach out and let’s have a meaningful conversation. ValueMapping® info@valuemapping.com – It reaches a real human being, promise! +1-971-266-1198 – It also reaches a real person, no Siri or Alexa. valuemapping valuemapping.com 217

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“Finding opportunity is a matter of believing it’s there.” – BARBARA CORCORAN

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SOURCEFUSE

ELEVATOR PITCH

THE STORY

Through an approach that is as innovative as the projects it manages and supports, SourceFuse builds digital ideas, processes, and products tailored to help its clients realize their ideas in the truest sense of the word.

SourceFuse, a technological jack-of-all-trades (and master of all of them), uses its own innovative mindset and practices to enable its clients’ innovation, too. SourceFuse’s expertise extends from healthcare tech to mobile apps to fullstack MEAN technologies and beyond. Its application of this expertise, in combination with a decade of development and experience, results in a process so airtight and clearly defined that it’s tempting to capitalize the word “process.” 220

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The heart of the process is SourceFuse’s springs, two-week time frames that produce a working feature of the app (or whatever the undertaking) for the client’s review. Such agility—in addition a personal team for every project, a transparent and thorough design process, and post-delivery support—makes SourceFuse an ideal partner in innovation. This is especially true for startups, many of which are in Jacksonville. “We’re doing an increasing amount on both the enterprise and startup side of things,” says Kelly Dyer, SourceFuse’s CEO. “We are a service provider and enabler—so we bring technology and innovation to expedite and support what companies are trying to build. We are even stakeholders in several joint-ventures, where we serve as the technology expert or product development team for startups.” A recent example is SourceFuse’s partnership with Urban SDK, a tech company also based in Jacksonville that focuses on visual analytics for transit data and commuter traffic patterns. Together, they have formed a Smart City Technology joint venture, whose goal is to provide local organizations—like logistics or civil engineering firms and real estate companies—with the analytics tools to make location and device data meaningful. SourceFuse and Urban SDK’s venture does so through geolocation data, predictive analytics, and IoT. “It’s a data exchange for smart cities,” says Kelly, “and it’s about how cities and government organizations can better share data to create stronger ecosystems.” SourceFuse also helps companies transition from legacy technology to digital and cloud-based systems, in cases where it makes sense to do so. One Call, a healthcare network–management company also based in Jacksonville, was one such candidate. “Historically, One Call had a large call center with little insight into their drivers’ activity,” explains Kelly, “but we came in and digitally enabled and empowered these employees. We integrated with Uber and Lyft and even re-engineered the best features of both to work inside this regulated environment. Now everyone in the call center is in front of a web dashboard that executes their legacy workloads, eliminates phone-tag, provides real-time updates, and allows them to make business benefiting decisions.” Many of the concepts that SourceFuse works with and around will sound like nothing more than jargon to the uninitiated, but SourceFuse’s impact is real, measurable, and beneficial to the community it’s part of. Smart cities—like the one Jacksonville can become through the Smart City Technology joint venture—reduce crime and shorten commutes, and they enable healthy lifestyles and a healthy environment. To put it more dramatically, smart cities can save lives.

San Francisco, India, Hong Kong, Singapore, and here locally in Jacksonville. Such an extensive perspective is as beneficial to clients as SourceFuse’s technological expertise, and it keeps SourceFuse sharp. “There’s a lot of opportunity and moving parts in digital information,” Kelly says. “We can bring in the newer innovations and newer technologies and create new opportunities, really cut down costs, find new money, and find new kinds of ways for clients to reinvent themselves. That’s really fun, too, because that’s a big beast to tame, and there’s a lot of opportunity hidden underneath when we dive in.”

SourceFuse’s local effect is significant, but its reach extends far beyond Jacksonville. With four offices globally, SourceFuse is doing the work that big-ticket agencies in New York and San Francisco are doing, and they are working for clients in New York,

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+1-800-578-FUSE (3873) | hello@sourcefuse.com | sourcefuse-technologies | sourcefuse.com/blog sourcefuse.com

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ITG TECHNOLOGIES

ITG is a digital transformation company providing state-of-the-art technology solutions to Fortune 500 enterprises in the greater southeast corridor of the US. With over 100 years of combined experience and a skilled staff of automation & software engineers, ITG is able to provide innovative data-driven technology solutions that are based on experience and industry standards. ITG maintains strong relationships with a broad spectrum of business partners focused on “bridging the gap” that exists in virtually every manufacturing, utility, and transportation business operation by combining ITG’s strengths in business intelligence, analytics, and process-automation services. Since 2003, ITG has been recognized as Jacksonville’s leading engineering business partner to enhance the productivity of industrial enterprises. ITG is currently staffed with 20+ employees working together to deliver technical solutions for business-systems integration (vertical exchange of information, KPI, dashboards, reporting, Manufacturing Execution Systems—“MES”), as well as automation systems including manufacturing automation, control-systems design, SCADA, IIoT “Industrial Internet of Things,” data analytics, robotics, machine safety, process control, and instrumentation.

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The ever-growing demand for collaboration between information and automation systems is what makes ITG the ideal partner to facilitate ideas and solutions, while continuously considering a solid services-oriented architecture. These fundamental concepts and elements dissolve within the crossfunctional mechanisms of information exchange, which ultimately binds decision-makers, business rules, and the execution and control systems they manage. ITG is committed to providing the highest-quality technologies solutions and automation and design services, on time and on budget, measuring its success by customer satisfaction and sustainable ROI being reinvested into the Jacksonville community. ITG is considered one of the early adopters of AI, machine learning, and IIoT in successful implementations of the following emerging technologies to solve equipment reliability, predictive maintenance, and process-optimization problems. ITG signed an exclusive channel partnership agreement in 2014 with artificialintelligence software company SORBOTICS (Sorbotics.com) to resell, create a new sales/marketing channel, and integrate the SORBA technology with current key enterprise accounts. ITG is now positioned as a disruptive integrator unlocking exponential revenue streams that allow for sustainable growth averaging $5+ million in revenues, all while partnering with industrial giants to help guide them in their digital transformation journey.

Aldo Ferrante is the president and CEO of ITG Technologies, overseeing business development and operations while leading a management team and engineering staff. With more than 30 years of experience in automation and information technology industries, he’s achieved great success in providing turnkey solutions to clients in the technology sector, including the manufacturing, transportation, and municipality industries. Beyond his software engineering and automation controls background, he has extensive knowledge in machine learning, predictive analytics, and IoT technologies.

“ITG became our ‘Automation Solutions Provider’ in 2004, and has been a reliable, professional, responsive and technically astute partner for our process-control systems solutions and technical support since that time. I highly recommend ITG for all your automation solutions and technical needs. This firm’s attention to detail and propensity to provide unique and innovative solutions makes them a superior partner.”

Former CEO, BCR Environmental * Now Current JEA CEO/ Managing Director *

Aldo Ferrante ITG Technologies +1-904-425-4760 info@itgtec.com infamation-technologies-group-llc itgtec.com 223

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EAGLE WINGS ENTERPRISES A Business Process Optimization company by the implementation of technology.

ELEVATOR PITCH

OUR STORY

We document a plan for efficiency and success. That plan could include hardware, software, app development, or just the use of apps that offer better efficiency. We measure our progress, document the improvement, profitability, and savings that are produced by our efforts. Then we help our customers identify areas where they can wisely reinvest the savings to grow their businesses.

The company was founded 28 years ago by Bonnie Vande Velde who moved the business to Jacksonville, Florida, from Minneapolis. While the company moved from Minnesota to Florida, the tried and proven methods of analysis, cost savings, and process optimization have remained our priority for our customersâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;because it works. Ongoing technology support for all businesses and the tools established to provide effective and efficient outcomes is the heart and soul of our founder, Bonnie. While many companies do technical support and do it well, Eagle Wings Enterprises focuses on implementing technology where it is required and produces a return on investment. We do not want to only be an expense line item on an income statement for our customers. 224

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Service—Encompasses quality in everything we do, having a service mindset when dealing with clients, and demanding only excellence from ourselves. Respect—For one another in the office will lead to higher productivity and staff satisfaction, which results in lower turnover. Respect given to our clients, for all they endure as business owners, fosters mutual respect for each other and aides in building trust. Leadership—Developing within our company, our next generation of leaders and within our market segment as a company that is a well-known expert in the field. Enthusiasm—Employing and nurturing staff with a passion for providing the highest-level quality service to our clients. Responding to clients with enthusiasm to help them constantly optimize and improve their business process and environment.

We implement technology to make businesses better in as many ways as possible. Then we provide a high level of quality service to make sure that the same technology continues to do its job and keep it functioning at optimal performance. Our dedication to customers is relentless and is always the number one priority.

MILESTONES Eagle Wings Enterprises participates with a youth organization, City Streets to Student Athletes, to provide internships for at-risk youth that give them exposure to an environment of high work ethic and an opportunity to make an income.

Our primary purpose as an organization is to deliver high-quality technology products and service to small businesses. We will continue to be known as the firm where personal attention will never become obsolete and will always be our priority. We want to employ people who are extremely satisfied and who go the extra mile for clients. We want a culture of growth, profitability, and enthusiasm.

We sponsor a monthly meetup for Women in Technology in Jacksonville to promote career growth for attendees.

Values Integrity—Dealing with our clients and colleagues ethically without failing, gaining trust through our actions.

Eagle Wings Enterprises is an active member of IT Pro Camp, Jacksonville Women’s Business Center, Women Business Owners of North Florida, Clay County Economic Development, Northeast Florida Builders Association, and a member of Clay County Chamber.

Knowledge—The value we place on our ability to develop leaders and the need to continually grow our collective technical expertise, to meet the needs of ever more sophisticated clients.

Bonnie serves on the boards of IT Pro Camp and Women Business Owners of North Florida. We are a Microsoft Business Partner, Check Point Security Certified, and Lean Six Sigma certified.

To reach us for optimization of your business, you can do so in any of the following ways: +1-904-406-7065 | Bonnie@ewebpo.com ewebpo | eagle-wings-enterprises-inc-/about ewebpo.com 225

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INNOVATIONS OF THE WORLD

“We are a global marketplace for ideas, creativity, and collaboration.” - SVEN BOERMEESTER CEO, GLOBAL VILLAGE 226

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www.InnovationsoftheWorld.com Connecting Minds - Building Communities

“The secret to innovation is the collective mind.” - CALLIE VAN GRAAN COO, GLOBAL VILLAGE 227

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LUXURY TRAVEL PILLOWS TO BEAT ALL OTHERS

THE STORY Creator Dr. Micheal Majette tells the story of why he decided to combine his wants and needs as a traveling consumer with his knowledge and experience as a physician to create the perfect allin-one pillow: “Since I was a child I have had a spirit of serving others. I have always been concerned with the comfort of those around me and have found that helping a person in need brings me great joy. That same spirit has benefited me well as a physician. Like many of my colleagues, I often find myself treating the same conditions of chronic neck and back pain repeatedly. My goal is always to help each patient achieve a better quality of life through a combination of in-office care, suggestions for at-home care and products that aid in expedited recovery. “A common complaint I am presented with by many patients is pain associated with travel. As an avid traveler myself, I was always on the pursuit to find products, especially travel neck pillows, that enhance the “getting there” part of the travel experience. I have tested hundreds of different travel pillows hoping to find one I could not only use

myself but also recommend to patients. This goal seemed simple, but after over a decade of searching, I learned nothing like that existed.” “What I found through my research is that there are endless amounts of neck pillows on the market, but none were exactly what I wanted. Most are made of cheap materials and don’t offer the structural integrity and design required for long-term use. I greatly value the artisanal skills and passion that go into creating a product by hand. That one of a kind quality you can only achieve with non-mechanized production. This lack of focus in design quality is a common theme among most travel pillows on the market today. “This is where my story begins. My search for the perfect all-in-one pillow has led me to the creation of MyJet Luxury Travel Pillow. Hand-made of quality materials with a patented inner skeletal system for ultimate support, the MyJet Luxury Travel Pillow stands the test of time and has been thoughtfully designed with the same level of care that I show all my patients. 228

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I love this product because its uses have become unlimited. It has revolutionized the way we think of the common travel pillow. Whether it’s used for flying across the country, watching TV in the comfort of your own home or to relieve neck tension after a long day at work, I truly hope this product enhances your life as much as it has mine.” Each pillow will be shipped with: • Extra foam blocks for adding or subtracting additional padding/support to create the perfect fit for you. • One elastic 3-button strap, allowing for connection to any headrest or existing pillow. • Lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects. Pillow types: • Coach class: Will consist of 2 color schemes, all breathable, lightweight, durable cloth material. You can always upgrade your pillow to a higher level cover at any time. • Business class (the most popular): Will consist of 4 different leather and cloth combinations. Also features a black suede inner-lined pocket on the top half to add temperature control packs for heat or cold and LED light. • First class: Coming soon. This version creates a user experience unlike any other. Includes all the above items, custom leather cover, superior Bluetooth remote phone and speakers and first of its kind surround sound. What makes the MyJet Travel Pillow Unique: • Customizable to all body shapes and any seat position using adjustable foam levels. • Adjustable patented internal frame and elastic strap not only hold the neck and head in perfect position, but also help to decompress nerves in the neck and shoulder to relieve pain.

• The high-quality materials used in creating the handmade covers improve with time and use. • The ability to make the pillow warm or cold without the use of batteries or power provides an unmatched level of comfort.

TESTIMONIALS “I can’t say enough about this pillow! Last year I took it on a mission’s trip to Africa. After 16 hours in my economy seat, I was so thankful to have this pillow with me. My favorite feature is the strap that connects it to the back of your headrest. Anyone who’s been on an airplane knows it’s impossible to get comfortable in an economy airline seat and the typical travel pillow doesn’t prevent you from falling over onto your neighbor’s shoulder. With this pillow, I was able to comfortably fall asleep without worrying about my head shifting to the side. Definitely one of my best travel purchases!!” - Patsy C. “I have had issues with my neck for over 20 years. Even after surgery, I still suffer from pain. I don’t travel that often, but my Doctor recommended the MyJet pillow for when I’m at home relaxing and watching TV. It really helps relieve the pressure and tension on my neck.” - Tom B. MyJet +1-813-463-3401 info@myjetpillow.com 229

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B E N G A L U R U

MAKING ACCESS TO SPACE AFFORDABLE “I believe that Space is a great enabler that transforms our lives back on Earth. In a few years, we will see planets being colonised and asteroids being mined. Space travel will become as common and as affordable as air travel.” Rohan M Ganapathy, Director & CEO, Bellatrix Aerospace

When humans make Space their habitat in the not-so-distant future, a Bengaluru company would have been part of conquering the final frontier. A new Space company incubated at Indian Institute of Science, Bellatrix Aerospace is developing advanced in-Space propulsion systems that can bring down the cost of access to Space, and aims to be the first private company to launch a rocket from Indian soil.

systems. The major disadvantage with chemical propulsion is that they require a large mass of propellant.” Electric propulsion is an emerging technology that is quickly replacing chemical propulsion technology. Using an electric propulsion system, a satellite can carry 3 times more payload compared to a satellite that uses chemical propulsion. This results in reduced mission costs and increased Return on Investment (RoI) per satellite. Bellatrix aims to be a global leader in the field of propulsion by offering advanced technology at competitive prices.

Bellatrix Aerospace is led by a team of engineers with Rohan M Ganapathy (CEO), Yashas Karanam (COO) and Narendra Narayanan (MD) for whom creating technologies through internal R&D is an exciting challenge. This is due to the fact that propulsion technology is a restricted technology; technical information is not easily available and is constricted by export control/tech transfer into India.

“Our proprietary electric thrusters can also accommodate water as propellant. This is a scalable technology and offers a high thrust-to-power ratio compared to competitors in this segment. Bellatrix is working towards becoming a provider of combined solutions for all propulsion requirements and is currently developing different varieties of chemical and electric propulsion systems for satellites ranging from nano satellites to heavy satellites.”

Talking about the unique features of Bellatrix’s work, Ganapathy explains, “Just as cars need engines to move, satellites need propulsion systems for orbit raising and station keeping (maintaining proper orientation) applications. Most of the current satellites today use chemical propulsion

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Given the high cost of sending satellites to Space, the proposition of reducing the satellite mass even by a small amount is very attractive. Traditional satellites employ chemical propulsion systems which considerably reduce the on-board space available for payload. This makes the satellites very inefficient and expensive to launch. Electric propulsion systems negate this as they require much less fuel in comparison with traditional systems. This results in a dramatic downsizing of the propulsion system allowing for a satellite to carry much greater payload and enhance the orbital endurance. This allows for greater profitability and a competitive advantage among satellite operators adopting electric propulsion systems.

Bengaluru is also the hub for Space companies in India. With ISRO, HAL and BEL headquartered in Bengaluru, a complete ecosystem for aerospace manufacturing has come up in the city. The Public Private Partnership model is the key to building a better world with affordable access to Space based services.

Bellatrix is aiming to also diversify into ground to Space propulsion (rocket propulsion) after getting a good foothold in the in-Space propulsion area. It is working on newer ways of making access to Space more affordable through ‘Chetak’, a reusable micro launch vehicle that can carry a 200 kg payload to Low Earth Orbit. When this happens, Bellatrix would be the first private company to launch a rocket from Indian soil. The highs for Bellatrix have been getting a developmental contract from ISRO, receiving the TDB National Award 2017 from the President of India for development of technology with potential for commercialisation. Ganapathy was also featured on Forbes India and Forbes Asia’s ‘30 under 30’ list for the year 2018.

 Bellatrix team receiving Technology Development Board National Award – 2017 from President of India.

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WE MAKE NUTRIENTDENSE BARS AND PROTEIN POWDERS WITH THE WORLD’S MOST POWERFUL SUPERFOODS TO HELP YOU “FILL THE NUTRIENT VOID” IN YOUR HECTIC DAY.

The Problem

boosting them with the world’s most powerful superfoods. Many brands use the word “superfoods”—Landish really means it.

As a big believer in the importance of healthy eating, Daniel had one frustration while working in banking in Montreal : the lack of nutrient-dense, low-sugar snacks that could keep him sustained and focused during some long work hours.

The Superfoods CRICKET POWDER For the same weight crickets contain twice the protein in beef and chicken, over fives times the vitamin B12 in salmon and they’re also full of iron, calcium, potassium and a prebiotic fibre called chitin beneficial to gut health.

What’s wrong with protein or energy bars? One or often many of the following: • Too much sugar • Not nearly enough nutrient density • Don’t satisfy your hunger • Don’t taste good (sweet and fake or just chalky and bland) • Offer no functional benefits

SPIRULINA Spirulina is a blue-green spiral-shaped microalgae and a form of a cyanobacteria. It’s extremely nutrient-rich with up to 70% protein, lots of beta-carotene, iron, calcium, phosphorus, iodine, chlorophyll, and phycocyanin, a powerful antioxidant. It also contains prebiotic polysaccharides responsible for probiotic growth.

Daniel felt that more and more nutrition-focused consumers like him would continue to demand better.

The Solution This led to the kick-off of Crickstart in 2016, which became Landish in the spring of 2019. The Landish team made it its mission to create the most nutrient-dense natural bars EVER for people experiencing what they call “the daily grind”.

FUNCTIONAL MUSHROOMS Among other benefits, functional mushrooms such as reishi and turkey tail, contain high levels of beta-glucans, which are proven to contribute to probiotic growth, reduce LDL cholesterol levels, and boost the body’s immune system.

How? By creating healthy, macronutrient-balanced plant-based bars and then

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How Landish Thinks About Nutrition The Landish team doesn’t believe in fad diets. The brand is all about macronutrient balance, micronutrient density and gut health, which are understood to be the fundamentals of good nutrition.

How Landish Thinks About Life Commit to your health so that you can commit to something greater than yourself.

How Landish Thinks About Work Don’t sacrifice happiness today to pursue it in the long term. Work hard, but remember what matters most now and always: health and happiness.

3 of Landish’s Sustainability Initiatives 1. Sourcing sustainable ingredients. 2. Reducing the impact of its bar packaging by implementing its own private recycling program with TerraCycle. 3. Planting a tree in an area of BC or California devastated by wildfires for every online order received. The Landish team (from left to right): Adrian Loffredo, Director of Operations; Erin Little, Community Manager; Daniel Novak, CEO; Gabrielle Faraggi, VP Sales and Michael Badea, COO

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message to everyone else in an organization that they don’t have to innovate. Option 3. Create a series of accelerator programs that can indeed help drive products and services to market much quicker than established processes.

ELEVATOR PITCH Having worked for the Walt Disney Company for 25+ years, most recently as Head of Innovation & Creativity, I have just created a startup, iD8 & innov8, to help organizations embed innovation into everyone’s DNA, by making creativity tangible, innovation easy, and the process fun.

From experience, however, I have learned that the challenge with all of these approaches is that they don’t really help organizations truly change their culture to be more innovative and creative. And that is where I believe there is a huge gap in the market. The traditional ways of doing business are getting completely upended, and no one is giving businesses a tangible toolkit that they can utilize throughout their organization to embed innovation into everyone’s DNA.

OUR STORY The next decade will be the most disruptive of our lives. Artificial Intelligence estimated to think thousands of times faster than a human—in under a decade. 3D printing that will disrupt every single industry. Legacy brands trying to move from a product-centric, we-build-it-they-will-come culture, to a consumer-centric one, and Generation Z, who believe more in purpose than profit who will re-write all the rules of doing business.

So I decided to create my own startup, iD8 & innov8, and create a very unique Innovation toolkit that is both simple and straightforward for absolutely everyone in every industry to use. It includes both a set of Creative Behaviors to drive motivation and inspiration to innovate, and a series of tangible, actionable Design Thinking, Innovation Tools, that people can use to Think Different, and disrupt their established business practices and truly innovate.

So how will we survive if we just keep iterating in order to make quarterly results, versus actually innovating to not only survive but to thrive in this brave new world?

I am very excited to leverage all my experience as Head of Innovation & Creativity at Disney, to now support other organizations around the globe to harness the inspiration that their own teams have, and to give them the practical tools they so desperately need to compete in a time of unprecedented disruption.

Option 1. Invite a leading innovation consultant to come in and run an innovation project for you. Option 2. Establish an Innovation department, which while it acts as a catalyst for change, also subliminally sends the 234

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iD8 & innov8 duncanjwardle@gmail.com duncanjwardle id8innov8.com

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U T A H

Cory Steven Tholl CEO

ELEVATOR PITCH Klymit makes ultra-lightweight sleep gear for when you’re away from your bed, focusing on solutions that are comfortable, reliable, and affordable. With a range of products designed and precision-engineered in-house, Klymit has been operating out of Utah for over 10 years, and is now based in Kaysville.

OUR STORY “We’ve chosen to solve what we view as the one main problem to being outside—sleeping,” says Cory Tholl, CEO of Klymit, who describes himself as an avid problem-solver who loves the outdoors. “People love to go camping, but many people hate to sleep away from their bed,” says Tholl. “And we recognize that, so we’re trying to solve this one obstacle that’s restricting people from enjoying the outdoors more.” Klymit specializes in portable mattresses for sleeping outside or away from your bed. “Many people carry a big bulky pad that’s not even comfortable,” says Tholl. “No wonder they don’t love sleeping outdoors. We saw that as an opportunity.” So Klymit set out to produce something that’s ultralightweight. “Something that can fit in your back pocket,” says Tholl, “while not sacrificing comfort.” Why focus on this problem? Tholl says it feels good to assist others in enjoying the outdoors. “Being outdoors is good for the soul,” he says. “It gets you away from the world of electronics, from the hustle and bustle of life.” 236

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Klymit works with all facets of the outdoor experience—boating, camping, hiking, hunting, and more, and aims to solve the problem of outdoor sleeping for everyone. Tholl cites first time campers as a group he particularly wants to help. “It pains me when first time campers go out and take really poor equipment, hate camping because their equipment was poor, and then never want to go camping again.” “It’s such a missed opportunity.” Klymit wants to change the mindsets of as many people as they can, so they make every effort to set their products at price points that make that possible. “A family with five kids can now actually afford to go out camping with real equipment and have a good experience outdoors.” Though sleeping mats are where Klymit first found success, they now offer a wide range of

other outdoor products, from sleeping bags, pillows, and tents, to backpacks, dinghies, blankets, and beds for your dog. What all these products have in common is that they’re custom designed and precisionmade using a CNC welding machine invented by the engineers at Klymit itself. “We needed a process that allowed us to prototype inflatable products with accuracy and quality,” says Tholl. They now use this CNC welding machine to create computerdesigned prototypes “really quickly, inhouse.” According to Tholl, this allows Klymit to think outside the box in terms of the products they can imagine.

they’ve operated out of, from Ogden to Clearfield, and now Kaysville. “Utah is just a really great place to do business,” says Tholl. “So many organizations and local governments have tools in place to help you be successful, and it feels like—on an individual level—people want to see you succeed.”

Utah, says Tholl, has also been instrumental in Klymit’s success. Fifteen minutes away from the mountains and with outdoor venues for skiing, camping, boating, hiking and hunting literally in their back yard, Tholl says at Klymit they’re inspired by their surroundings. Utah natives started the company, and most employees grew up there as well. “The outdoors are in our blood,” says Tholl. But it’s not just the physical climate that has aided Klymit. Especially in the early days, they received much-appreciated support from the angel investing network in Utah, and have been welcomed by every city 237

For more information on Klymit, visit klymit.com 457 Deseret Drive | Kaysvillle, UT 84037 +1-801-310-7235

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TRAINUAL Chris Ronzio: Founder & CEO

We believe business should be easy. And weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re passionate about process..

â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Chris Ronzio

Introduction Trainual is the modern training manual for businesses, making it easy for business owners to grow and scale their teams faster than ever. Our platform helps companies build a centralized operations and training manual to automate and simplify onboarding, training, and knowledge transfer. As companies grow, the policies and processes that drive the business can get chaotic, scattered, and misinterpreted. We believe every company should have a business playbook, and our mission is to make small business easier by automating training manuals for companies around the world.

The entrepreneurial spirit began young for Trainual founder and CEO, Chris Ronzio. Before the age of 25, Chris built and sold a nationwide video production company, where he managed a team of 300+ camera operators. The dire need for standard operating procedures within that company inspired his next venture, an operations consulting firm called Organize Chaos. After helping hundreds of entrepreneurs create scalable systems and processes, Chris developed a passion for helping business leaders find the time to do more of what they love by providing a way to document and delegate what they do. Trainual was born out of that passion in combination with the many business playbooks he created for his consulting clients. Although Trainual serves every size business, our passion for small business is what sets us apart from other learning management systems that cater to enterprise companies. Creating a formal playbook has long been a best practice for large enterprises, but small businesses usually lack the time and expertise

Website: trainual.com @trainual

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to effectively systematize what they do so well. Our easy-to-use and affordable platform makes it easy for any business owner to start documenting what they do and create interactive training manuals to train, grow, and scale their teams. Trainual plans to help 25,000 companies grow and scale by the end of 2022. Since the platform launched to the public in 2018, Trainualâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s success includes winning the esteemed Arizona Innovation Challenge, as well as the inaugural DesTechAZ 2019 Most Promising Startup award. Trainual has been named in the top 4 Frontrunners of Learning Management by SoftwareAdvice.com, as a market leader by G2Crowd.com, and #1 for Training, Onboarding, and Business Process Management by Capterra.com. Trainual also won the Phoenix Entrepreneurial Opportunity Contest hosted by Phoenix Business Journal and BBVA. Find us at trainual.com or find us on any social media platform under our handle @trainual. 239

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PENPAL SCHOOLS

HELPING TEACHERS CONNECT THEIR STUDENTS TO LEARN WITH PENPALS AROUND THE WORLD AND FROM DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS.

PenPal Schools is the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest project-based learning community, with over a quarter million students in 150 countries. Students collaborate through online projects ranging from human rights and the environment to fake news and robotics, all while practicing literacy, technology and socialemotional skills. PenPal Schools was recognized by President Obama and selected by Common Sense Education for the Best Edtech of 2017. PenPal Schools projects are designed for students ages 8-18 and are aligned to a wide variety of academic standards. All projects are inquiry-based and are offered at multiple difficulty levels, which can be differentiated based on student ability. Some projects are designed specifically to accommodate English-language learners. 240

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Students work in groups with classmates to create original videos, presentations, service projects, art, poems, and more. Students then share their creations with peers, teachers, and parents from around the world in the PenPal Schools Showcase. As students collaborate with their classmates to create projects they practice a variety of social and emotional skills. Students must work together to combine their various talents, accommodate multiple opinions, and combine their efforts into one cohesive project. To help students create their projects, they log in to complete a series of lessons. Each lesson includes a video, non-fiction text, and discussion question. Once students answer the discussion question they gain access to a forum of thousands of students from around the world who have answered the same question. Students must then interact with peers from around the world to gather diverse perspectives to include in their projects. Students must develop empathy and respect for other cultures and perspectives, while learning how to collaborate productively with peers with different working and communication styles. PenPal Schools makes global project-based learning easy for teachers by providing pre-made, selfguided projects. However, teachers still play an active role. Teachers can review student projects in the Showcase, and can review every message that students send and receive in the lesson forums. Teachers can provide students with private written feedback and can grade student work across a wide variety of reading comprehension,

A U S T I N

writing, digital citizenship, and social & emotional skills. Assessment criteria are customizable and are aligned to Common Core standards. In addition to teacher assessment, students must reflect on their own performance and learning, and are encouraged to provide feedback to classmates and peers around the world. In addition to reviewing and grading student work, teachers can access supplemental offline class activities as well as a wide variety of professional development resources related to social-emotional learning, project-based and inquiry-based learning. Teachers can also connect with teachers worldwide through educator forums, and can invite teachers from the PenPal Schools community to join them in projects. Teachers can search by country, subject, student age, and other factors to find classrooms around the world to invite to projects. As part of our professional development opportunities, PenPal Schools provides educators with opportunities to discuss concepts related to project-based learning with colleagues around the world. Our teacher forums are very active with educators and experts who share tips, resources, and examples of success from their classrooms. Parents can log in to review their students’ work in the Showcase, and they can download our parent mobile app. Since Spring 2019, parents and administrators have been able to analyze extremely detailed and holistic student learning data and access recommendations to address learning gaps.

Joe Troyen Founder of PenPal Schools

Join the world’s largest collaborative learning community – PenPals Schools makes project-based learning easy, loved by students and teachers in 150 countries!

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ELEVATOR PITCH Open Bionics was founded in 2014 by Joel Gibbard and Samantha Payne with the goal of developing affordable, assistive devices that enhance the human body. In other words, Open Bionics turns disabilities into superpowers. The Bristol-based bionics company is known globally for using 3D printing and 3D scanning, along with some clever software and design, to make advanced, affordable and accessible bionic limbs.

OUR STORY In May 2018, following four years of research and development, the company released its first product, the Hero Arm. The Hero Arm is the world’s first medically certified 3D-printed bionic arm, and the very first multi-grip bionic arm for children as young as eight years old. Engineered and manufactured in Bristol, the Hero Arm is a lightweight and affordable myoelectric prosthesis, available now through prosthetics clinics in the UK, USA, France, Spain and Ireland. The company have ambitious plans to launch the prosthesis in new international regions throughout 2019 and 2020. The Hero Arm has market-leading functionality, weighs less than 1kg, has a breathable and adjustable socket, and can be fitted with customised covers; including Star Wars and Marvel superhero designs. Each Hero Arm is custom-built to ensure a perfect fit. The Hero Arm works by picking up signals from a user’s muscles. When an amputee puts on their bionic arm and flexes muscles in their residual limb just below their elbow; special sensors detect tiny naturally generated electric signals and convert these into intuitive and proportional bionic hand movement. The bionic hand is 242

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controlled by tensing the same muscles which are used to open and close a biological hand. Wearers of the Hero Arm can choose between different finger speeds and grips to allow them to pick up objects ranging from a small marble, to an entire shopping basket. Other multi-grip bionic hands, such as the bebionic and ilimb, are prohibitively expensive and too large or heavy for children (and some adults, too). The Hero Arm is less than half the price of these competitors, and because it’s manufactured using 3D printing, it is also the lightest bionic hand on the market. 3D printing is an extremely efficient and suitable manufacturing method for prostheses which are always “one-offs”. Almost all of the 3D printed parts are manufactured using an additive technique called Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), which uses a laser as the power source to sinter powdered nylon. Open Bionics believes that the most advanced prosthetic and orthopaedic technology should be available for everyone that needs it. Open Bionics have a development contract with NHS England, with the aim of offering the Hero Arm on the NHS in the UK. In June 2017, they worked with NHS England and the Bristol Centre for Enablement on a world-first clinical trial 243

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of a 3D-printed multi-grip bionic arm. Following a successful first stage of the trial, the company have now begun a second stage of the trial with multiple NHS clinics around the UK. Open Bionics also have royalty-free licensing agreements with Disney, Marvel, Lucasfilm, Eidos Montreal and Twentieth Century Fox, to offer superhero cover designs such as BB-8, Iron Man and Alita: Battle Angel. They are making science fiction a reality. Their work has received praise from the likes of Mark Hamill and the Dalai Lama, theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve won a whole host of coveted awards, and their users have featured in media all around the world.

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Open Bionics’ lab space is currently located next to the Bristol Robotics Lab, but the rapidly expanding company will soon move to a custom-built production space in the centre of Bristol following a £4.6 million investment round in January 2019 from high profile firms such as F1’s Williams Advanced Engineering. Open Bionics are proud of their Bristol roots, and it’s easy to see Bristol’s punk creativity pumping through the veins of this innovate bionics company. In the near future, Open Bionics look forward to offering the Hero Arm in multiple international markets and continuing the development of great products that solve challenges within mobility and independence.

OpenBionics OpenBionics openbionicsltd openbionics.com

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Airstream Ventures 188 Alluvion 204 Amelia Toffee 142 Amy McGeorge (Peoplr) 19 Andrew Jackson High School of Advanced Technology 62 Apple Rose Beauty 98 ArtRepublic 126 Auditmacs 72 Avant 124 Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center 78 Beeline 200 Bellatrix 230 Bethesda Farm 150 Big Data Jax 186 Blended Designs 114 BLUEWAVE Technologies, Inc. 88 Bold Brands 168 Bold City Bots 106 Breezy HR 206 Brian Kornfeld (Synapse) 23 Carlton Robinson (JAX Chamber) 16 Castano Group 156 Civilized Coffee Company 146 Clay County District Schools 60 Closing Bear 108 Code on the Beach 182 Craig Mandeville (Forcura) 18 CuliVino 138 Eagle Wings Enterprises 224 Essential Culture Podcast Network (ECPN) 164 Florida Blue 84 Florida Funders 192 Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ) 58 Forbes Gilham Group 212 Forcura 18, 80 FreshJax 148 Greg Ross-Munro (Herding Cats & Coders) 24 GuideWell 86 Haskell 36 Hazlnut 132 Holmes Custom 158 iD8 & innov8 234 intoGo 172 Inventory Source 102 ITG Technologies 222 Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) 13, 28 JaMario Stills (Phase Eight Theater Company) 17 Jane Shirek Photography 160 JAX Chamber 16, 40 JaxTech 184

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Jim Stallings (PS27 Ventures) 10 Kamana 90 Kate Strickland (Wander Media Company) 20 Kathleen Schofield (Northeast Florida Regional STEM2 Hub) 13 Klymit 236 Landish 232 LegacyShield® 104 LionShare Cowork 196 Marc Blumenthal (Synapse) 22 Matthew Kane (Greenshades Software) 12 Menuat 134 mixallogy 140 MyJet Luxury Travel Pillow 228 Nathaniel P. Ford, Sr. (Jacksonville Transportation Authority) 15 NLP Logix 13, 70 Nocturnal 130 Northeast Florida Regional STEM2 Hub 15, 52 Office Evolution of Jacksonville 194 Open Bionics 242 PenPal Schools 240 Peoplr 19, 202 Phase Eight Theater Company 17, 122 Platypus Labs 21, 214 Powering America North Florida 32 PS27 Female Founders Forum 176 PS27 Leadership Week 12, 178 Putnam County School District 64 Quang Pham (Espero Biopharma) 14 Renaissance Jax 66 Resility Health 82 Rethreaded 96 Sara Frasca (Platypus Labs) 21 SmartBox 118 SORBOTICS 74 SourceFuse 220 Sparkle & Sabre 116 Synapse 22, 23, 42 TEDxJacksonville 180 The Police Athletic League of Jacksonville, Inc. (JaxPAL) 94 The Positive Life Company 110 Theodore R. Willich (NLP Logix) 11 Trainual 238 UNF College of Education and Human Services 54 Urban SDK 34 ValueMapping® 216 Veterans United Craft Brewery 144 Wander Media Company 20, 154 Wilson Dutra Innovation Law 210 Women in Technology 48 246

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InnovationsoftheWorld.com

SHOWCASING THE BEST OF THE WORLD - CONNECTING MINDS - BUILDING COMMUNITIES

The Innovate series is a 300-page in-depth study and AR video series that showcases the people and companies that are leading the race within the innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystems of each city and industry. A book with augmented reality video, an online platform and a global network with a common goal of ensuring the brightest minds of the world connect and succeed.

IT’S A KIND OF MAGIC...

Make sure your back camera is pointing at the page. Click the Play button that appears onscreen and immerse yourself in the latest updated content with reference to that page.

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“They did not know it was impossible so they did it.“ Photo - Jane Shirek Photography

– MARK TWAIN

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