EVOLVE Business and Professional Magazine May 2019 | Page 18

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Blast Off:
INCUBATION PROGRAMS
PREPARE BUSINESSES
FOR TAKEOFF
by Wilhemina Anderson
E
stablishing a business requires planning, passion and perseverance – but by utilizing the
expertise of professionals, one can ensure a greater chance of success. Tasked with enhancing
and facilitating opportunities for fledgling businesses with high-growth potential are two
leading ladies in Volusia County.
Overseeing the University of Central Florida’s Business Incubation
Program in Volusia County is associate director and site manager,
Connie Garzon-Bernal. Since taking the helm in 2011, Garzon-Bernal
has been a guiding force for countless businesses in the incubation
program, leading them through the process from startup
to sustainability.
Among the programs she is tasked with managing, the “Soft
Landing” program rolls out the welcome mat for international
companies seeking to expand their footprint into the Central
Connie Garzon-Bernal,
Florida region. The UCF Soft Landing program helps international
associate director and site
manager for the University
companies, and domestic businesses outside of the region, adapt
of Central Florida Business
to and establish a presence in Central Florida’s economic markets.
Incubator in Daytona Beach,
Colombia-based TechFit Digital Surgery is one of the
Florida makes the co-working
space friendly and welcoming companies participating in the Soft Landing program. As a
for businesses.
manufacturer of medical devices, the innovative team of
engineers create customized products designed to address musculoskeletal problems,
focusing on orthopedics, maxillofacial and cranial reconstruction.
Working with the
Daytona Regional
Chamber of Commerce
and Volusia’s economic
development teams
to help ensure a
smooth entrée into
the United States,
Garzon-Bernal
used many tools,
including her
multilingual
background,
Titanium Cranial TechFit
to assist the
company with the required program application process which secured
office space for them at the Daytona incubator.
“They have their office here to do business development and
strategy. This gives them access to our UCF team expertise and the
network we have in Central Florida,” said Garzon-Bernal, who also
helped introduce them to key players across Florida.
Through an introduction to Garzon-Bernal’s Embry-Riddle
Aeronautical University counterpart Stephanie Miller, Executive
| 18 | EVOLVE BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL MAGAZINE