Cenfluence

🎉 Please join us in welcoming the newest members of the Florida High Tech Corridor and Cenfluence team! 🎉

This semester, we're excited to welcome three talented UCF students who bring a diverse mix of engineering, data science, design, storytelling, and community engagement expertise to our team. As they begin their journey with us, they'll be supporting initiatives that connect innovators, strengthen industry partnerships, and help grow Central Florida's technology ecosystem.

🚀 Jacobo Karduss Deus
An Aerospace Engineering student at the University of Central Florida, Jacobo combines technical excellence with entrepreneurial thinking. As project lead for UCF's AIAA quadcopter UAV initiative, he has experience in mechanical design, autonomous systems, and advanced engineering technologies. Beyond engineering, his marketing and communications experience gives him a unique perspective on connecting innovation with impact. We're excited to have Jacobo bring his creativity, technical skills, and collaborative spirit to our team.

📊 Natiana Urdaneta
Natiana is a Data Science student at UCF with a passion for using data and technology to solve real-world challenges. Originally from Venezuela, she is driven by curiosity, analytics, and continuous learning. Her interest in business intelligence, emerging technologies, and data-driven decision-making aligns perfectly with our mission of supporting innovation throughout the region. We look forward to the insights and fresh perspective she'll bring to the team.

🎨 Lexine Lewis
With a background rooted in design, storytelling, leadership, and service, Lexine brings a people-centered approach to innovation and community building. Her passion for supporting underrepresented and underserved communities reflects the collaborative spirit that drives our work every day. Through her creativity, communication skills, and commitment to making a difference, Lexine will help us continue building meaningful connections across our ecosystem.

At Cenfluence and the Florida High Tech Corridor, we believe investing in the next generation of talent is essential to strengthening Florida's innovation economy. We can't wait to see the impact these students will make while gaining hands-on experience supporting entrepreneurs, researchers, startups, and industry leaders across our region.

Welcome to the team, Jacobo, Natiana, and Lexine! We’re excited to have you with us. 🌟

This month’s Cenfluence Resource Spotlight is on Florida Venture Forum — a driving force behind Florida’s startup, investment, and innovation ecosystem. 🚀

For years, Florida Venture Forum has helped connect founders with investors, strategic partners, and growth opportunities while creating spaces where high-growth companies can gain visibility and accelerate their next stage of growth. Their conferences and programs continue to play a major role in strengthening Florida’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and supporting innovation statewide.

We’re also excited to share that the Cenfluence team will be attending the upcoming Florida Early Stage Venture Conference next week in Orlando, one of the state’s leading gatherings for startups, venture investors, and ecosystem leaders. The event brings together founders, investors, educational sessions, and networking opportunities designed to help early-stage companies grow and scale.

Be sure to stop by the Cenfluence table and connect with our team. We’d love to meet fellow founders, innovators, investors, and ecosystem partners helping shape the future of Florida innovation. 🌎✨

This month’s Cenfluence Company Spotlight is on PICadvanced, an innovative company advancing the future of telecommunications, semiconductors, and integrated photonics right here in Florida. 🚀

As demand for faster, smarter, and more connected technologies continues to grow, PICadvanced is helping drive the next generation of innovation through cutting-edge optical and photonic technologies that have the potential to transform how industries communicate, process data, and scale emerging technologies.

From semiconductor innovation to high-speed connectivity solutions, the company represents the kind of deep-tech leadership strengthening Central Florida’s position as a growing hub for advanced technology and innovation-driven industries.

At Cenfluence, we’re proud to spotlight the companies, founders, and innovators building technologies that not only shape industries — but also contribute to the long-term growth and competitiveness of our regional economy.

Join us in celebrating PICadvanced and the incredible work they’re doing to help power the future of technology. 🌎✨