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By Mark Baratelli
The newly formed Orlando Technology Community Support Pilot Program will award up to $65,000 in matching grants in $1,000 and $10,000 packages for Orlando technology companies to develop focused activities and/or programs that grow and connect those within the Orlando tech community.
Here are all the existing tech events happening in April. These are unrelated to the grants.
Program participation is conditioned upon satisfactory completion of the project or event and a contribution matching 50% of the grant. The match can be in the form of cash or in-kind donation (personnel excluded) spent on the project or event. The tech company is required to provide all sources of funds used for the project or event. The project or event must occur within the City of Orlando limits or provide a public benefit to the residents of the City. To qualify for a grant, the tech company must have a Tax Identification Number (TIN) or Employer Identification Number (EIN), and its project or event must meet at least three the following goals:
- Increasing the connection and collaboration among start-up and existing tech companies;
- Building the tech talent pipeline;
- Catalyzing private capital investments; and
- Increasing Orlando’s reputation as a tech hub.
Grant awards range from $1,000- $10,000 and will be made as part of a competitive process. The process is slated to begin on May 1, 2018 and end on August 17, 2018. A panel of five volunteer judges selected by the OEP will make award recommendations.