UCF Business Incubation Program Named Florida’s Top Incubator

After helping generate thousands of jobs, significant investment in companies and hundreds of millions of dollars of economic impact in Central Florida, the UCF Business Incubation Program has earned national recognition as one of the country’s top business incubators.

Yesterday, Time released its inaugural listing of America’s Best Incubators & Accelerators 2026, spotlighting programs that assist early-stage companies to grow, scale and create lasting economic impact.

The UCF Business Incubation Program is the top-ranked incubator in Florida and the highest-ranked program focused entirely on traditional business incubation. It was the second-highest Florida program on the list.

It ranked 17th on the list of 80 accelerators and incubators across the country.

“This recognition reflects more than the work of our team; it reflects the success of every entrepreneur, mentor, community partner, investor and local government that has helped build Central Florida’s innovation ecosystem over the past 27 years,” says Rafael Caamano, interim director of UCF Innovation Districts & Business Incubator at the University of Central Florida. “We're honored that Time has recognized what our region has known for years: when universities, industry and community partners work together, extraordinary companies can be built.”

More than half of the programs ahead of the UCF Business Incubation Program were accelerators, offering short, cohort-based programming. Other programs offer a limited incubation program, combined with an accelerator.

A traditional incubation program offers a more robust range of services over an extended period of time, allowing companies to gain the foundation they need for success. Incubators are often not focused on particular industries or demographics, as most accelerators are instead looking at all types of scalable, innovative companies.

The recognition showcases the success of the companies served.

In 2025, more than 100 client companies of the UCF Business Incubation Program employed more than 600 full- and part-time people, secured more than $78 million in contracts and attracted nearly $35 million in investment.

“Behind every successful innovation are talented people with the vision, expertise and determination to translate complex ideas into value for society,” says Winston Schoenfeld, vice president for research and innovation. “This recognition celebrates the power of partnerships among academia, industry professionals and entrepreneurs who together build an ecosystem that transforms discovery into real-world solutions driving economic growth and shaping the future.”

How the Ranking Was Determined

According to Statsia, the company providing research for Time’s ranking, those selected were based on track record, peer recommendations and measurable founder outcomes.

The full methodology is found here, but it included:

• Alumni evaluations, based on surveys of companies that graduated from the program over the past five years.
• Client success, measured through the performance and growth of participating companies.
• Expert recommendations from startup investors, seasoned entrepreneurs and business leaders.

“The recognition further reinforces Central Florida's emergence as one of America's leading regions for innovation, technology commercialization and entrepreneurial growth,” Caamano added.

The full list can be found here.

Powered by Partnership:

Aluska Richardson, CEO/president, Aurora InfoTech: "The UCF Business Incubation Program has been an invaluable partner in the growth and success of Aurora InfoTech, empowering us to make firm, well-informed decisions that drive meaningful business growth. As a women-owned Cybersecurity and IT consulting firm, finding exceptional talent is one of our greatest challenges, and the UCFBIP partnership has been instrumental in connecting us with the skilled professionals needed to deliver the highest level of Cybersecurity services our community deserves."

Mike Bishop, director of economic development, City of Eustis: “A healthy entrepreneurial ecosystem gives local business owners the support, connections and confidence they need to turn good ideas into lasting companies. The UCF Business Incubation Program is an important part of that ecosystem in Eustis, and this national recognition affirms the value it brings to our businesses and community.”

Meg Brew, director, Lake County Economic Development: “Our business incubator is an incredible resource for companies looking to establish themselves in Lake County,” said . “Together, we’re creating new opportunities for local businesses and showcasing Lake County as a great place to grow and succeed.”

Jerry Demings, Mayor, Orange County: "The UCF Business Incubation Program is an important partner in our efforts to diversify Orange County's economy and support entrepreneurs as they grow successful businesses and create jobs. We're proud of our partnership and congratulate the program on this well-deserved recognition."

Buddy Dyer, Mayor, City of Orlando: “One of our city’s key priorities has long been to ensure we are providing opportunities and forging strategic partnerships that elevate our city’s ability to foster a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem, where entrepreneurs can not only start a new business, but are able to succeed long-term. The UCF Business Incubation Program’s success is undeniable, with the ideas and successes of entrepreneurs who have gone through this program putting Orlando on the map as one of the nation’s leaders in advanced technology and innovation. We as a city are proud to be a partner of the UCF Incubator for nearly 20 years, and congratulate them on this incredibly well-earned recognition.”

Commissioner Brandon Arrington, Chairman of the Osceola County Board of County Commissioners: “UCF’s Business Incubation Program is working to build the next generation of businesses in Central Florida while creating new opportunities for our workforce to grow alongside them. This recognition is a testament to what happens when education, entrepreneurship, and economic development come together. In Osceola County, we’re focused on building a strong classroom-to-boardroom pipeline, and our partnership with UCF is an invaluable part of those efforts. By helping entrepreneurs turn ideas into growing companies, we’re creating jobs today and building the talent that will drive our economy forward tomorrow.”

Lizbeth Walker, CEO, Qualifize: “We love the UCF Business Incubation Program and how instrumental it has been in our success! The relationships we’ve built and partnerships through the program have positioned us to serve our commercial and government clients on a different level of excellence and ingenuity due in part to the standards set at our UCF Incubator.”



Andria Herr, chairman, Seminole County: “Seminole County has long recognized that supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses is an investment in our local economy. Our partnership with the UCF Business Incubation Program connects businesses with the resources and expertise they need to grow and succeed right here in our community. This national recognition is well deserved, and we are proud to be part of the program’s continued success.”

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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