BOCA RATON, Fla. (September 21, 2026) - The Research Park at Florida Atlantic has been recognized by the South Florida community with three awards from three different organizations: the Brazilian Business Group, the Rotary Club of Boca Raton, and Hispanic Heritage Chamber for its continued work to empower entrepreneurs and grow their enterprises. These awards recognize the Research Park’s enduring commitment to enhancing economic development in the South Florida region and its leadership in fostering innovation.

Rotary Club Of Boca Raton - J.C. Mitchell Award (Small Business Category)

The J.C. Mitchell Award honors Boca Raton’s longest-serving mayor during the Great Depression and World War II, and the Research Park at Florida Atlantic is honored to be this year’s recipient. The award recognizes the Park’s more than 40 years of advancing innovation and economic development across South Florida. Since its founding in 1985, the Park has grown into a 49 company ecosystem that connects academic research with business opportunities and helps bring new ideas to market.

Hispanic Heritage Chamber - Technology & Innovation Organization of the Year

The Hispanic Heritage Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards honor organizations and leaders driving economic growth across Broward and Palm Beach counties. The Research Park at Florida Atlantic is honored to be this year’s recipient of the Technology and Innovation Organization of the Year. The award recognizes the Research Park’s work to support technology and innovation-based companies, connect businesses with research and talent, and, in turn, support South Florida’s innovation economy.

Brazilian Business Group - Partnership Award

The Research Park at Florida Atlantic was honored with the Partnership Award from long-time Research Park partner, the Brazilian Business Group, recognizing the Park’s continued support of the BBG and the Brazilian American business community. The Research Park proudly supports their mission and its work to strengthen connections across the South Florida business community.

“For our work to be recognized by regional stakeholders such as these is an important signal to entrepreneurs around the world that Global Ventures, the Research Park’s incubator, has built a strong system of support for international tech companies looking to scale in the U.S.,” said Andrew Duffell, president of Research Park at Florida Atlantic. “Our approach is designed to adapt to the linguistic, cultural and business differences that come with expanding into a new market.”

Together, these awards highlight the Research Park’s growing impact across South Florida and its continued role in shaping the region’s future.

To learn more about the Research Park at Florida Atlantic and its mission, visit their website: researchparkfau.com

About the Research Park at Florida Atlantic University® The Research Park at Florida Atlantic University® is home to technology companies and research-based organizations working to support the research and development activities of Florida Atlantic, and to foster economic development and broaden the economic base of Palm Beach and Broward counties. The Research Park at FAU hosts Global Ventures at Florida Atlantic™, an international soft-landing center for second-stage technology companies, FAU Runway, a hub to incubate startup companies and the Florida Small Business Development Center at FAU. Established in 1985, it is widely regarded as South Florida’s laboratory for new entrepreneurial ideas and technologies. The Research Park at FAU is governed by the Florida Atlantic Research and Development Authority, an independent special district created by Palm Beach and Broward counties in partnership with Florida Atlantic University, organized under Chapter 159, Part V, Florida Statues. Read more at researchparkfau.com