Economic development engine grows Heathrow location with consolidation of locations in county
Orlando, Fla. (August 26, 2026) — In a move to ensure cooperation and collaboration with other Seminole County economic development organizations, the UCF Business Incubation Program is consolidating its locations in the county to Heathrow.
Starting on October 1, all UCF Business Incubation Program operations in Seminole County will be located at Seminole State College’s Heathrow campus. The program was operating a satellite operation there for nearly a year.
“Seminole County has created an economic development hub, supporting its business community with advice, mentorship, networking, and more in this location,” says Rafael Caamano, interim director of Innovation Districts and the Incubator at the University of Central Florida. “As our client companies work to build their businesses at the UCF Business Incubation Program, being connected to other organizations that can play a critical role in their growth is essential.”
In addition to the UCF Business Incubation Program, the Heathrow campus of Seminole State College is home to the Seminole County Chamber, Leadership Seminole and Seminole County Economic Development.
“Bringing these organizations together creates a stronger support system for entrepreneurs and growing businesses in Seminole County,” said Seminole County Chairman Andria Herr. “The Economic Development Hub in Heathrow connects businesses with expertise, mentorship, and resources all in one place, helping them grow, create jobs, and strengthen our local economy. Expanding the UCF Business Incubation Program’s presence at the Hub makes that network even stronger.”
The discussion on consolidation started when the City of Winter Springs ended its financial support of local businesses at the Incubation program in August 2025. After nearly 20 years in Winter Springs, that incubator will be closing September 30, and the 12 businesses located there will either find off-site office space or move to Heathrow.
“Personally, I’m looking forward to greater connections as we’re involved in the Seminole County Chamber and want to use every tool available to help us grow,” says Ben Krause, a partner with Core Six Partners. “One of the keys to success in the incubation process is collaboration with other clients, and with the incubator making this move, we will be better connected to the larger ecosystem as well.”
Media Contacts:
For the UCF Business Incubation Program: Alan Byrd, 407-415-8470, Alan@ByrdConnections.com
About the UCF Business Incubation Program: The University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program is a community resource that provides early-stage companies with the tools, training and infrastructure to become financially stable, high-growth/impact enterprises. Since 1999, this award-winning program has provided vital business development resources, resulting in over 300 local startup companies reaching their potential faster and graduating into the community where they continue to grow and positively impact the local economy.
With eight facilities throughout the region, the UCF Business Incubation Program is an economic development partnership between the University of Central Florida, the Corridor, Lake, Orange, Osceola and Seminole Counties, and the cities of Eustis, Kissimmee and Orlando. In 2023, current incubator clients supported over 1,000 employees and generated over $120 million in revenue. Nineteen companies graduated from the program and remained in the local community. For more information, visit www.incubator.ucf.edu
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University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program
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Alan Byrd Marketing Consultant
- August 25, 2026
- (407) 415-8470
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