Fueling innovation: Inside FAU's Research Park and its Global Ventures ProgramFueling innovation: Inside FAU's Research Park and its Global Ventures Program

Located in Boca Raton, Florida, 45 minutes north of Miami, the Research Park at Florida Atlantic and its Global Ventures program are places where entrepreneurial med tech companies and academia collide.

Spanning 70 acres, the Research Park is widely regarded as South Florida’s premier hub for new pioneering research initiatives and technologies. The Research Park is proudly partnered with Palm Beach and Broward Counties, along with the City of Boca Raton, to drive regional innovation and growth.

Instrumentum, an offsite surgical instrument sterilization company, is one of the latest to join the Park. With a focus on delivering high-quality instruments to laboratories, academic institutions, and industry professionals, Instrumentum serves as a trusted partner in advancing scientific discovery and technological innovation.

Daniel Johnson, CEO of Instrumentum recently reflected on his experience of  joining the Park and how it has propelled his business.

“From the first meeting with Andrew Duffell and the Research Park’s leadership, we have experienced the tangible and consequential assistance that this association with FAU affords,” said Johnson.

“Warm hospitality, community introductions, development guidance, FAU integration, referrals to subject matter experts, access to staffing channels, and networking opportunities with other innovative companies are just some of the compelling advantages of being located in the Research Park at Florida Atlantic.”

Global Ventures, located in the park, is an incubator for tech companies who have already established a presence within their industry and ready for their next level of growth. It was also one of the first international soft landings programs in the country, welcoming foreign tech firms expanding to the US.

Global Ventures has many benefits for its tenants including, shared conference and break rooms, game areas, central mail facilities, flexible terms on office and lab space, and access to FAU resources and benefits.

Currently hosting 28 companies from over 10 countries, Global Ventures serves a number of tech verticals, with a key focus on medical innovation. One of these companies is Triangulate Labs, a total body photography company working to end skin cancer mortality through their Skinmap platform.

“Triangulate Labs is a company with expertise in computer vision and AI. We created it to help solve skin cancer after my sister was diagnosed with terminal cancer”, said Bill Hall CEO and CO-Founder of Triangulate Labs. “Triangulate makes Skinmap, a patented Total Body Photography (TBP) system designed to give dermatologists better information so that they can catch skin cancers earlier and more easily.”

Skinmap is a rapid and efficient system that helps dermatologists track changes in patients’ skin, a crucial indicator for cancer prognosis. It allows for quick digitization of skin in less than 60 seconds, aiding in early detection and providing patients with peace of mind, all while generating new revenue for dermatologists.

To help grow this innovative and necessary medical detection product, Hall decided the Research Park at Florida Atlantic was the place to do it.

“The Research Park has enhanced our company's visibility and reach,” said Hall.  “Regular seminars provide information on useful topics ranging from crowdfunding to immigration. The Park's networking opportunities have proven incredibly valuable to us and have led to opportunities and business connections. Hearing other companies' experiences with vendors, government proposals, funding opportunities, and area trade shows has helped us make the right call a number of times.”

Aside from the testimonials and firsthand accounts of success from companies like Instrumentum and Triangulate Labs, the numbers paint an equally compelling picture of the Research Park’s impact.

In 2023, the Park supported 971 jobs and saw an average of 15 per cent growth in revenues over 2022. Four of these companies ranked on INC 5000 list of the fastest-growing companies in the country.

From job creation to economic growth, the data reinforces the idea that this hub of innovation is making waves in the South Florida community and beyond.

With an impressive track record of job creation, revenue growth and more, the Research Park and Global Ventures is more than ready to propel additional companies to success in the years to come.

“We are incredibly proud of the innovative med tech companies within our Global Ventures program and at the Research Park," said Ryan Lilly, Global Ventures Program Manager. "Their groundbreaking work is not only advancing medical technology but also significantly improving patient outcomes. These companies exemplify the spirit of innovation and excellence that we strive to cultivate here.”

Global Ventures

Research Park companies

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