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Innovative Companies

Who they are: Startups and established businesses building new products, technologies, and services. These companies are the engine of the ecosystem, creating jobs, driving innovation, and turning ideas into real-world impact across industries.

Purpose: Showcase Jacksonville’s innovative companies & startups landscape by vertical focus — making it easier to discover who’s building what.

Criteria: To be included, the company must be headquartered in Jacksonville or have significant operations or a founding team presence in the surrounding areas.
Each company appears once, under its primary market or technology vertical.

Sectors include:

  • Aerospace & Space: Companies building technologies for aviation, space exploration, satellites, launch systems, and related infrastructure. This includes everything from advanced aircraft and propulsion to space systems, communications, and defense-adjacent aerospace innovation.

  • Energy & Environmental: Organizations focused on energy production, sustainability, climate solutions, agriculture, and environmental systems. This sector spans clean energy, grid technology, food and agtech, resource efficiency, and solutions that support a more resilient planet.

  • Defense: Technologies supporting national security, public safety, and mission-critical operations. This includes defense systems, security platforms, government-focused solutions, and tools designed for reliability, resilience, and strategic use.

  • AI, Data & Security: Companies using artificial intelligence, machine learning, data platforms, and cybersecurity to drive smarter, safer systems. This sector includes analytics, automation, intelligent software, and technologies that protect digital infrastructure and information.

  • Consumer Products: Businesses designing, manufacturing, and selling physical consumer goods and brands. This includes packaged goods, lifestyle products, direct-to-consumer brands, and product-driven companies bringing tangible goods to market.

  • Fintech: Technology transforming financial services, banking, payments, lending, and money movement. This sector includes platforms that improve how individuals and businesses manage, move, invest, and access capital.

  • Hardware & Devices: Companies building physical products, connected devices, and embedded systems. This includes smart hardware, IoT devices, sensors, electronics, and products that blend software with the physical world.

  • HR & Workforce Technology: Tools that support hiring, people operations, workforce management, and the future of work. This sector includes HR platforms, talent systems, employee experience tools, and technologies that help teams work better together.

  • Medical: Healthcare-focused companies developing medical devices, diagnostics, clinical tools, and health technologies. This includes solutions that improve patient care, clinical outcomes, and the delivery of healthcare services.

  • Logistics & Supply Chain: Technologies that move goods, manage inventory, and optimize operations from production to delivery. This sector includes transportation, warehousing, fulfillment, routing, and systems that power global and local supply chains.

  • SaaS: Software companies delivering cloud-based tools for businesses and organizations. This includes enterprise platforms, productivity tools, analytics software, and digital systems that support operations, sales, and growth.

  • Manufacturing: Companies focused on producing goods, components, and materials using modern manufacturing methods. This includes advanced manufacturing, industrial technology, fabrication, automation, and production-focused businesses.

  • E-Commerce: Platforms and tools that enable online buying, selling, and digital marketplaces. This sector includes online retail, marketplace businesses, commerce infrastructure, and technology supporting merchants and consumers.

  • Sports Innovation: Technologies advancing athletic performance, training, fan engagement, and sports operations. This includes performance analytics, fitness tech, sports media, and platforms shaping how sports are played and experienced.

  • Social Platforms: Apps and technologies that enable connection, content creation, communication, and community. This sector includes social networks, creator tools, media platforms, and digital spaces that bring people together.

  • Robotics: Companies building robotic systems, automation technologies, and intelligent machines. This includes industrial robots, service robots, autonomous systems, and hardware-software solutions designed to operate in the physical world.

  • Real Estate: Organizations working in property development, management, investment, and the built environment. This includes real estate operations, development projects, and technology supporting buildings, infrastructure, and property systems.

  • Telecom: Technologies that support connectivity, communications, and network infrastructure. This sector includes wireless systems, broadband, networking hardware, and platforms that power how people and devices communicate.

Enablers & Institutions

Who they are: Organizations that support, educate, regulate, and strengthen the ecosystem. This includes educational institutions, government entities, nonprofits, industry groups, and economic development organizations that provide structure, resources, and long-term stability.

Purpose: Highlight the foundational organizations driving talent, research, and ecosystem growth across Jacksonville.

Criteria: Must be headquartered in jacksonville or actively backing or investing in Jacksonville-based companies within the past three years.

Sectors include:

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  • Educational Institutions: Colleges, universities, technical schools, and training organizations that develop talent, conduct research, and support workforce development. These institutions play a critical role in education, skills training, and innovation across the ecosystem.

  • Economic Development Organizations: Organizations focused on attracting investment, supporting business growth, and strengthening regional economies. This includes groups that work with startups, established companies, and public partners to drive job creation and long-term economic impact.

  • Industry Organizations: Trade groups, professional associations, and industry-led organizations that support specific sectors. These organizations provide advocacy, networking, standards, and shared resources that help industries grow and collaborate.

  • Nonprofit Organizations: Mission-driven organizations focused on community impact, social good, and public benefit. This includes nonprofits working in education, innovation, workforce development, and community support across the ecosystem.

  • Government Entities: Local, state, and federal agencies involved in regulation, funding, infrastructure, and public services. These entities help shape policy, provide resources, and support economic and community development initiatives.

  • Accelerators & Incubators: Programs and organizations that support early-stage companies through mentorship, resources, capital access, and structured growth programs. These groups help founders refine ideas, scale businesses, and connect to investors and partners.

Capital & Funders

Who they are: Investors and funding sources that provide the capital needed to start, grow, and scale companies. This includes angels, venture funds, family offices, public funding programs, and impact-driven capital supporting innovation at every stage.

Purpose: Identify who’s fueling Jacksonville's’s innovation economy through investment, grants, and incentives.

Criteria: Must be operating in Jacksonville and actively serving founders, small businesses, or innovation-driven companies within the surrounding areas.

Sectors include:
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  • Angel Groups: Networks of individual investors who provide early-stage capital, mentorship, and industry experience to startups. Angel groups often invest at the idea or seed stage and play a hands-on role in supporting founders.

  • Government Funding Programs: Public funding sources that provide grants, incentives, and non-dilutive capital to support innovation, research, and economic growth. These programs are often tied to specific industries, technologies, or regional development goals.

  • Pitch Competitions: Events and programs where founders present their companies to judges and investors for the chance to win funding, prizes, or exposure. Pitch competitions help startups validate ideas, gain visibility, and connect with potential backers.

  • Family Office & Private Equity: Private investment groups managing capital for families or institutions, often investing in established or growth-stage companies. These funders typically focus on long-term value creation and strategic partnerships.

  • Venture Studios: Organizations that build companies from the ground up by combining ideas, capital, and shared operational resources. Venture studios actively create, launch, and scale startups, often holding significant ownership and providing hands-on support.

  • VC Funds & CVCs: Venture capital firms and corporate venture arms that invest in high-growth startups. These funds provide capital, strategic guidance, and access to networks to help companies scale and compete in their markets.

  • Foundation & Impact Funds: Mission-driven funders that invest in organizations and companies focused on social, environmental, or community impact. These funds often prioritize measurable outcomes alongside financial returns.

Community

Who they are: The people, groups, media, and events that create connection and momentum. Community brings the ecosystem to life by fostering relationships, sharing knowledge, and creating spaces for collaboration.

Purpose: Recognize the grassroots efforts that strengthen community, visibility, and collaboration.

Criteria: Must be Jacksonville-founded, based, or recurring in the area and focused on connecting, celebrating, or storytelling around innovation and entrepreneurship happening in the area.

Sectors include:
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  • Media & Social: Platforms, publications, and digital channels that share stories, news, and conversations across the ecosystem. This includes social media communities, newsletters, podcasts, and media outlets that help connect people and amplify what’s happening.

  • Community Groups: Formal and informal groups that bring people together around shared interests, industries, or causes. These groups support connection, collaboration, and peer learning within the local innovation and business community.

  • Events & Meet Ups: Conferences, workshops, networking events, and informal gatherings that create opportunities for learning and connection. These events help build relationships, spark ideas, and strengthen the overall ecosystem.

Service Provider

Who they are: Professional firms and specialists that help companies operate, grow, and scale. These providers offer expertise across legal, finance, people, technology, marketing, sales, and product development.

Purpose: Make it easier for companies to find trusted partners and professional resources locally.

Criteria: Must be operating in Jacksonville and actively serving founders, small businesses, or innovation-driven companies within the area.

Sectors include:
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  • Legal: Law firms and legal professionals supporting businesses with formation, contracts, intellectual property, compliance, and transactions. These providers help companies navigate risk and protect their interests as they grow.

  • People & HR: Service providers supporting hiring, people operations, benefits, compliance, and organizational development. This includes HR consultants, recruiters, and firms helping teams scale in a healthy, compliant way.

  • Product Development & Tech: Firms and specialists that help companies design, build, and launch products and software. This includes engineering, design, development, and technical advisory services across digital and physical products.

  • Coworking & Makerspace: Shared workspaces and fabrication facilities that provide flexible offices, tools, and equipment. These spaces support collaboration, prototyping, and hands-on building for founders, teams, and creators.

  • Accounting, Bookkeeping & Finance Operations: Providers supporting financial reporting, bookkeeping, payroll, and back-office operations. These services help businesses maintain accurate records, manage cash flow, and stay compliant.

  • Commercial Banking: Banks and financial institutions providing business accounts, lending, treasury services, and financial infrastructure. These providers support day-to-day operations and long-term business growth.

  • Consulting & Fractional Services: Advisors offering strategic, operational, or executive support on a part-time or project basis. This includes fractional leadership, specialized consulting, and on-demand expertise.

  • Marketing, Branding & PR: Agencies and professionals helping companies build their brand, tell their story, and reach customers. This includes brand strategy, design, digital marketing, communications, and public relations.

  • Wealth Management & Financial Advisors: Advisors supporting founders, executives, and investors with personal and business financial planning. This includes investment management, tax strategy coordination, and long-term wealth planning.

  • Sales & Distribution: Firms and partners helping companies acquire customers and bring products to market. This includes sales strategy, channel development, partnerships, and distribution support.

  • Prototype, R&D & Manufacturing: Providers supporting research, prototyping, testing, and production. This includes product development labs, engineering firms, and manufacturers helping ideas move from concept to market.

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