University of South Florida expands defense research and tech incubation

The University of South Florida (USF) is expanding its impact through specialized engineering initiatives and business incubation. The USF Institute of Applied Engineering has managed approximately $170 million in active contracts over the last six years, facilitating more than 850 internships. These roles involve partnerships with the U.S. Army and U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM), providing students with hands-on experience in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and data systems, often leading to full-time positions and security clearances.

Simultaneously, USF CONNECT has renewed its lease at the Tampa Bay Technology Incubator for five years in a $5.5 million agreement. This renewal ensures continued access to specialized wet and dry laboratory spaces designed to help tech startups scale. The initiative aims to commercialize university research and intellectual property, supporting companies such as Psilera, Soil CEA, Modelithics, and PolyMaterials App in transitioning scientific developments into the marketplace.