The NSF Florida Semiconductor Engine Hosts Inaugural Forum to Foster Industry Innovation
Posted on: June 12, 2025
For Immediate Release
NeoCity, Florida – The National Science Foundation’s Florida Semiconductor Engine on Thursday wrapped up its inaugural Innovation Day, bringing together an international roster of industry leaders, entrepreneurs, academia and government leaders to share cutting-edge technologies designed to power economic prosperity throughout the state.
The invitation-only forum hosted more than 60 industry leaders, innovators and universities, including the University of Central Florida, the University of Florida, the University of South Florida and Valencia College, to collaborate on research and development activities in the semiconductor industry with promise to unleash a new era of computational dexterity.
Hosted at NeoCity, Osceola County’s 500-acre high-technology campus and home to the Florida Semiconductor Engine, the event was a showcase of work being done by the Engine, based on an NSF grant with the potential to unlock up to $160 million over 10 years, to advance the semiconductor industry, encourage cross-discipline partnerships and foster open dialogue amongst attendees.
“Investments such as those made by Osceola County and our Commission over the past decade have paved the way for the conversations and presentations that we are privileged to witness during Innovation Days,’’ said Don Fisher, Osceola County Manager and chairman of the Engine’s Governing Board. “Along with the support of our partners at the Engine and NSF, we are highlighting the best of NeoCity’s promise and creating a new economic development paradigm in the semiconductor industry and creating high-wage jobs here in Florida.”
Currently, about 98 percent of semiconductor advanced packaging work is manufactured offshore, primarily in Asia, Mr. Fisher noted.
“Innovation Day is the heart of the Engine’s mission – to create new, high-wage jobs for Floridians in the semiconductor industry; reshore the advanced packaging industry; develop, implement and help fund cutting-edge advanced packaging technologies; and unite industry, academia, government and the community to fuel new manufacturing opportunities in the field,” said Engine CEO Tawny Olore, P.E. “This collaborative forum was a huge step forward toward achieving those critical goals.”
The two-day program was a precursor to a “Call for Projects” that the Engine plans to release within the next 30 days to solicit proposals for select, collaborative projects in the advanced packaging semiconductor industry with a special emphasis on proposals that are ready for commercial application within the next few years.
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About the Florida Semiconductor Engine
The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) Engine: Founded in March 2024, the Florida Semiconductor Engine strives to transform the U.S. semiconductor advanced and specialty packaging industry through collaborative research and translation innovations, building the most advanced technical workforce and creating regional economic prosperity. The learn more about the Engine, please visit www.semiconductorengine.org. NSF Award: NSF-2315320 This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF). Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. National Science Foundation.
About NeoCity
NeoCity is the County’s 500-acre master planned campus focused on advanced technology and microelectronics. It has received critical funding from the Department of Defense, the U.S. Economic Development Administration, and the Florida Department of Commerce. In addition to the Florida Semiconductor Engine, NeoCity is home to SkyWater Technology, imec USA, BRIDG, the University of Florida’s Florida Semiconductor Institute, Plug and Play, Seoul National University, TEL, SUSS MicroTec and LocatorX.
Furthermore, the Osceola County School District’s NeoCity Academy, located next to the 109,000-square-foot fab (Center for Neovation), has reaped kudos in a just a few years: the No. 1 public high school in Central Florida, 11th in the state and top 100 in the nation, as well as recognition as a Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education. It works with partners at NeoCity to provide internships for the high school students to work on site.
To learn more about NeoCity, visit www.neocityfl.com.
Media Contact:
Marianne Arneberg
marneberg@semiconductorengine.org
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