Research Park at Florida Atlantic Recognized with Three Awards for Advancing Innovation and Economic Growth in South Florida

Contact: Abigail Sears

asears@research-park.org

(561) 416-6092 Ext. 104

 

Research Park at Florida Atlantic Recognized with Three Awards for Advancing Innovation and Economic Growth in South Florida 

BOCA RATON, FL –  (September 21, 2026) – The Research Park at Florida Atlantic has been recognized by the South Florida community with three awards from three different organizations: the Brazilian Business Group, the Rotary Club of Boca Raton, and Hispanic Heritage Chamber for its continued work to empower entrepreneurs and grow their enterprises. These awards recognize the Research Park’s enduring commitment to enhancing economic development in the South Florida region and its leadership in fostering innovation. 

Rotary Club Of Boca Raton – J.C. Mitchell Award (Small Business Category)

The J.C. Mitchell Award honors Boca Raton’s longest-serving mayor during the Great Depression and World War II, and the Research Park at Florida Atlantic is honored to be this year’s recipient. The award recognizes the Park’s more than 40 years of advancing innovation and economic development across South Florida. Since its founding in 1985, the Park has grown into a 49 company ecosystem that connects academic research with business opportunities and helps bring new ideas to market.

Hispanic Heritage Chamber – Technology & Innovation Organization of the Year 

The Hispanic Heritage Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards honor organizations and leaders driving economic growth across Broward and Palm Beach counties. The Research Park at Florida Atlantic is honored to be this year’s recipient of the Technology and Innovation Organization of the Year. The award recognizes the Research Park’s work to support technology and innovation-based companies, connect businesses with research and talent, and, in turn, support South Florida’s innovation economy. 

Brazilian Business Group – Partnership Award

The Research Park at Florida Atlantic was honored with the Partnership Award from long-time Research Park partner, the Brazilian Business Group, recognizing the Park’s continued support of the BBG and the Brazilian American business community. The Research Park proudly supports their mission and its work to strengthen connections across the South Florida business community. 

“For our work to be recognized by regional stakeholders such as these is an important signal to entrepreneurs around the world that Global Ventures, the Research Park’s incubator, has built a strong system of support for international tech companies looking to scale in the U.S.,” said Andrew Duffell, president of Research Park at Florida Atlantic. “Our approach is designed to adapt to the linguistic, cultural and business differences that come with expanding into a new market.”

Together, these awards highlight the Research Park’s growing impact across South Florida and its continued role in shaping the region’s future. 

To learn more about the Research Park at Florida Atlantic and its mission, visit their website: researchparkfau.com

About the Research Park at Florida Atlantic University®

The Research Park at Florida Atlantic University® is South Florida’s premier innovation hub, connecting cutting-edge technology ventures with world-class researchers to turn bold ideas into breakthrough products and services that create career opportunities and accelerate economic development across Broward and Palm Beach counties. Spanning seventy acres adjacent to the Florida Atlantic University campus in Boca Raton, the Research Park has spent more than forty years nurturing companies at every stage of growth, from start-up to unicorn. The Research Park is home to Global Ventures, an international soft-landing center for global second-stage technology companies entering the U.S. market. It serves as a gateway to Florida Atlantic University’s research enterprise and talented academic community. 

The Research Park at Florida Atlantic is governed by the Florida Atlantic Research and Development Authority, an independent special district created by Palm Beach and Broward counties in partnership with Florida Atlantic University, organized under Chapter 159, Part V, Florida Statutes.Read more at researchparkfau.com

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