Lake Nona Has Business Growth Down to a Science
While Orlando has been thought of as mainly a tourist destination for years, it’s now become a destination of a different kind – one for businesses, technology and tech talent. An influx of population has produced a capable workforce of one million and growing and has changed the face of Central Florida.
January 21, 2022
This is where you’ll find Lake Nona. This unique 17-square mile community serves as a “Living Lab” for companies looking to build, test and deploy innovative solutions at scale. Built for the future, it is CISCO’s first Iconic Smart+Connected city in the country with a 5G infrastructure wired for what’s next.
Lake Nona was developed by the Tavistock Group, an international private investment organization, with a vision for a neo-urban community of entrepreneurialism, collaboration and innovation. This is fueled by individual hubs devoted to research and commerce in the fields of health, well-being, human performance, business and education.
Lake Nona is located contiguous to Orlando International Airport. This provides businesses and residents close proximity to Florida’s busiest airport with direct service to more than 150 destinations worldwide. In the coming years, the community’s aviation options will grow to include the Lake Nona Vertiport, offering quick and convenient transportation to regional destinations. Locally, autonomous shuttles whisk passengers throughout Lake Nona, connecting the many office, medical, dining and entertainment districts located in the community.
Perhaps one of the most appealing aspects of Lake Nona is the highly educated population that calls it and its surrounding areas home. These tech-forward early adopters make up the workforce of the industry leading businesses located here, many of which are located in Lake Nona’s Medical City. This globally-recognized cluster of health and life sciences institutions includes the Orlando VA Medical Center, the UCF College of Medicine, HCA/UCF Adult Teaching Hospital (UCF Lake Nona Hospital), UF Research & Academic Center, and GuideWell Innovation Center.
Lake Nona is also home to world class sports centers. The LeAD Sports Accelerator accepts startups working in both sports and health tech and the future of nutrition. The United States Tennis Association’s National Campus, Lake Nona Performance Club, Lake Nona Golf & Country Club and the Phil Dalhausser Beach Volleyball Academy all call Lake Nona home. Central Florida’s professional sports teams, including the Orlando Magic and Orlando City Soccer Club add to the area’s sports science and research wealth.
You don’t have to look far for the next generation of innovators either. With more than 500,000 college students within a 100-mile radius, Lake Nona businesses have access to a deep talent pool. The University of Central Florida is the largest university in the country by enrollment and currently has nearly 15,000 students who are studying Health Professions and Sciences, Medicine or Nursing. Lake Nona is also home to the UCF College of Medicine and teaching hospital, University of Florida’s Academic Research Center, and Valencia College.
Lake Nona benefits greatly from Florida’s welcoming business climate, with a low corporate income tax and no state property tax. Orlando’s already enticing tax policy can be further bolstered by incentives available to qualifying companies that are relocating or expanding to the area. The dollar goes further here too, as the cost of living is 6.3% below the national average.
While Lake Nona looks toward the future, we’re open for business now. With robust transportation infrastructure, an educated workforce, a low cost of living combined with a high standard of living, we’re partnering with businesses to create a destination where tomorrow’s innovations are happening today.
To learn more about Lake Nona and how your business can thrive here, please fill out the form below.