📄 Blog Post: Orlando’s Tech Boom – How the City Is Shaping Florida’s Digital Future
Table of Contents
Florida’s Statewide Tech Ecosystem
Why Orlando? The City’s Unique Advantage
Orlando’s Rapid Growth in IT and AI
ThreatLocker
Luminar Technologies
EA Tiburon
Omnimodal
AdventHealth AI Lab
Opportunities & Challenges Ahead
The Future of Orlando’s Tech Ecosystem
Introduction
Florida’s economy is far more than theme parks, citrus groves, and beaches. Over the past decade, the Sunshine State has quietly positioned itself as one of America’s most diversified economies, attracting not just tourists but also entrepreneurs, investors, and skilled workers in technology, healthcare, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing.
At the heart of this transformation lies a digital revolution. Florida is now home to more than 40,000 information-technology businesses, ranging from lean start-ups building AI-powered tools to Fortune 500 companies expanding their innovation hubs. This makes Florida one of the largest IT ecosystems in the nation, outpacing many states traditionally associated with tech.
Among all Florida cities, Orlando has emerged as a standout. Best known as the world’s tourism capital, Orlando is now developing a parallel identity: a vibrant, fast-growing hub for information technology, artificial intelligence, simulation, and healthcare innovation. This post takes a deep dive into Orlando’s rise as a tech powerhouse, the startups and companies fueling its momentum, and what it means for the city’s future.
Florida’s Statewide Tech Ecosystem
To understand Orlando’s ascent, it’s helpful to see how Florida’s broader ecosystem set the stage:
IT Businesses: Over 40,000 firms in Florida specialize in IT, cloud computing, AI, and software development.
Manufacturing & Defense: More than 25,000 manufacturing companies thrive here, many tied to aerospace and defense.
Universities: Institutions like the University of Florida, Florida State, and University of Central Florida are feeding the pipeline with graduates in computer science, engineering, and data analytics.
Tax Climate: Florida’s lack of a state income tax, combined with competitive corporate taxes, attracts both startups and established players.
Connectivity: Proximity to Latin America, a growing immigrant workforce, and globally connected airports give Florida an international advantage.
This statewide framework creates fertile soil for Orlando’s tech boom.
Why Orlando? The City’s Unique Advantage
Orlando’s transformation is not by accident. The city has several structural advantages:
Talent Supply – The University of Central Florida is one of the largest universities in the country, producing graduates in engineering, IT, and data science.
Simulation Capital of the World – Thanks to its military and aerospace ties, Orlando hosts the largest cluster of modeling, simulation, and training companies in the U.S.
Affordability – Compared to Miami or Austin, Orlando remains relatively affordable for startups and young talent.
Creative Energy – Orlando’s tourism and entertainment roots fuel innovation in gaming, AR/VR, and AI simulation.
Government & Infrastructure – Local leaders have invested in innovation districts, accelerators, and business-friendly zoning to foster startups.
Together, these factors explain why Orlando is one of the fastest-growing tech metros in the country.
Orlando’s Rapid Growth in IT and AI
The data speaks for itself:
Tech employment grew 2.3% in 2024, second highest among the 30 largest U.S. metros.
Orlando’s net tech employment hit 77,700 workers in 2024, a 21% increase since 2019.
For the first time, more Orlando residents now work in tech occupations (48,000+) than in tech companies (47,700+).
The median tech salary hit $103,000 in 2024, more than double the city’s overall median wage.
Orlando is projected to cross 80,000 tech jobs in 2025.
These figures aren’t abstract. They reflect real companies expanding, hiring, and investing.
Startup & Company Spotlights
Here are five Orlando-based startups and companies driving growth in IT and AI.
1. ThreatLocker
Founded in Orlando, ThreatLocker is a fast-growing cybersecurity firm providing endpoint protection and zero-trust security solutions. Their approach helps businesses prevent ransomware and malware attacks, and they’ve raised significant venture capital to scale globally.
2. Luminar Technologies
An Orlando success story, Luminar Technologies is a pioneer in lidar technology, powering the future of autonomous vehicles. Its AI-driven sensing systems are used by leading automotive companies worldwide.
3. EA Tiburon
The home of the Madden NFL video game franchise, EA Tiburon anchors Orlando’s gaming ecosystem. Beyond sports gaming, the studio has invested in AI-powered simulation, which also spills over into Orlando’s training and defense industries.
4. Omnimodal
A local startup using AI and data science, Omnimodal builds platforms that optimize public transit and mobility systems. Their solutions help cities create smarter transportation networks and address urban growth challenges.
5. AdventHealth AI Innovation Lab
Healthcare giant AdventHealth has its own AI Lab in Orlando, where researchers are using artificial intelligence to improve diagnostics, patient care, and medical workflows. This is part of Orlando’s growing footprint in healthtech.
Opportunities & Challenges Ahead
Opportunities:
High Wages: Tech salaries are attracting talent from around the U.S.
Cross-Industry AI: Orlando is uniquely positioned to merge AI with simulation, aerospace, and healthcare.
Venture Capital: With Miami and Tampa raising billions in VC, Orlando has an opportunity to capture more of that flow.
Challenges:
Diversity Gaps: Women hold only 28% of tech jobs; Hispanic workers 17%; Black workers 11%.
Infrastructure Pressure: Population growth and rising housing costs could strain affordability.
Scaling Startups: Orlando must nurture startups from seed stage to unicorns, not just attract big corporate expansions.
The Future of Orlando’s Tech Ecosystem
By 2030, Orlando could rival Austin, Denver, and Atlanta as a premier tech metro. Key drivers will be:
AI adoption across industries.
The continued success of startups like ThreatLocker and Luminar.
Public/private partnerships in simulation and healthcare.
Focus on diversity and STEM education.
If Orlando continues to blend affordability, talent, and creativity, it will cement its reputation as a national innovation hub.
Conclusion
From lidar for autonomous cars to AI labs reshaping healthcare, Orlando is redefining itself as much more than a tourism city. The next chapter of Florida’s economic growth is being written in Central Florida — and for startups, investors, and tech talent, the opportunities have never been greater.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Why is Orlando becoming a tech hub?
Because of its mix of universities, affordability, and industry ties in simulation, aerospace, and healthcare.
Q2: Which startups should I know in Orlando?
ThreatLocker, Luminar Technologies, Omnimodal, and EA Tiburon are major players.
Q3: What industries are driving Orlando’s AI growth?
Healthcare, autonomous vehicles, gaming/simulation, and cybersecurity.
Q4: How many tech jobs are in Orlando?
Roughly 77,700 in 2024, projected to surpass 80,000 in 2025.
Q5: What’s the average salary for tech workers in Orlando?
Around $103,000 as of 2024.
Q6: Is Orlando affordable compared to Miami or Austin?
Yes — while costs are rising, Orlando remains cheaper than Miami and Austin for startups and talent.
Q7: What challenges does Orlando face?
Diversity gaps in tech, infrastructure strain, and scaling startups to unicorns.
