As our first lot of wafers is finishing up its process flow in the fab, I had the privilege of attending the inaugural Heart of Florida United Way Change Maker Impact Awards and the honor of accepting the Ground Breaker award on behalf of the entire BRIDG team and our founding partners. As an organization that advocates for education, health and financial stability of every person in Central Florida,
Heart of Florida United Way understands that the hope for a brighter and more prosperous region is enhanced by the foundation that BRIDG provides as a catalyst for economic transformation.
Although I was the person walking across the stage to accept the award, the real heroes in this picture are each and every staff member of BRIDG who work tirelessly to accomplish so much with very limited resources, in addition to our visionary partners that started this marathon over four years ago!
Thank you to Osceola County, UCF, the Corridor, UF, USF, and FIU for your bold vision! While a lot has been accomplished to date, this marathon is just approaching its first turn with still a long way to go. Join us as we continue the race and build the foundation for tomorrow’s economy!
Chester Kennedy
CEO
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U.S. Defense Funding Bill Appropriates $30 Million Intended for BRIDG
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Congress has approved a defense funding bill that includes $30 million directed towards advanced
manufacturing that could go to BRIDG to establish a Microelectronics Cybersecurity Center and develop trusted microelectronic devices in a secure environment to support the Department of Defense.
“Cybersecurity is vital in today’s world, especially when it comes to our national security,” stated Dr. Elizabeth Klonoff, Vice President for Research and Dean of the College of Graduate Studies and UCF. “The bill signed yesterday, which sets aside $30 million by Congress intended for BRIDG, will support some new ways we can do our part to support the Department of Defense and the work they do to keep us safe.”
This provision was championed by U.S. Senators Marco Rubio and Bill Nelson from Florida, and by central Florida Members of Congress Reps. Darren Soto and Stephanie Murphy.
“The investments that the Central Florida region are making to establish a unique public-private partnership, solely focused on microelectronics development, are well-aligned to support the priorities that were established in this year’s defense spending bill,” said Chester Kennedy, CEO of BRIDG. “BRIDG looks forward to the opportunity to see its unique infrastructure and capabilities leveraged to support these key national security priorities, while creating additional jobs here in central Florida.”
We thank the Congressional members for their efforts on this legislation.
Learn more about the defense bill
here.
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Building Momentum at NeoCity
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Over the last few months, construction activity has soared at NeoCity. Just last week, the official groundbreaking for NeoCity Academy took place right across from BRIDG, and the construction on the NeoCity Class A office building is also well under way just a few feet from our existing foundry, with both projects scheduled to be completed in 2019.
See the progress that has been made in Osceola County’s newest aerial footage:
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And in case you haven’t seen our recent facility tour video, you can view that
here.
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BRIDG ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
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Dr. Sarah Layton is the founding Managing Partner of Corporate Strategy Institute, a strategic management consulting firm based in Orlando, Fla. In this position, she helps provide strategic direction for manufacturing/production and service industries.
Dr. Layton is a Certified Management Consultant by the Institute of Management Consultants, USA. She is Qualified in Blue Ocean Strategy tools, concepts and frameworks by the Blue Ocean Strategy® Initiative Center, London, and has become known for her seminars and keynotes around the world. She was also invited by Renee Mauborgne, one of the bestselling BOS book authors, to join her in France for specific discussions on Blue Ocean Strategy.
In addition to her role on the BRIDG Business Advisory Board, Dr. Layton serves on the board of the Orlando Science Center and is a Director for Junior Achievement of Central Florida Foundation. She has also served on the national board of the Institute of Management Consultants USA, is a former Trustee for Florida Southern College, served as Corporate Secretary for Junior Achievement of Central Florida, and has served as an independent director on several corporate boards.
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RECENT EVENTS / OTHER NEWS
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Florida Simulation Summit
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Industry leaders from across the state recently came together at the Florida Simulation Summit to discuss Digital Twin Technology and the Internet of Things. Our CEO, Chester Kennedy, moderated the “Industrial Revolution 4.0” panel at the summit. Thank you to Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs and the
National Center for Simulation for including BRIDG in this event!
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As September comes to a close, BRIDG joined our partners at
imec USA
for a night of volunteering at
Give Kids the World
, an 84-acre, nonprofit “storybook” resort in Central Florida where children with critical illnesses and their families are treated to weeklong, cost-free vacations. We look forward to volunteering with this wonderful organization again soon.
Learn more about Give Kids the World
here
.
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Did you know that October 5th is National Manufacturing Day?
Every year on the first Friday in October, thousands of manufacturers and training centers across the country open their doors to educate their communities about the many opportunities of modern manufacturing in celebration of American production and innovation. We proudly recognize our nation’s manufacturers and commend our very own Osceola County Commissioners for officially recognizing October as Manufacturing Month!
Learn more about National Manufacturing Day
here.
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Silicon Summit East - October 9, 2018
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BRIDG will be exhibiting at the
Global Semiconductor Alliance’s Silicon Summit East
, where technology and business leaders as well as leaders from research institutions will convene for a full day of discussions and thought exchange on topics ranging from advanced materials and devices to new chip/system architectures to innovative business models. BRIDG CEO Chester Kennedy will be participating as a member of the “Semis Matter - Building a Research Based Innovation Pipeline and Ecosystem” panel.
Learn more about the Silicon Summit
here.
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Defense Manufacturing Conference - December 6, 2018
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BRIDG will be exhibiting at the
Defense Manufacturers Conference
in Nashville, Tennessee. This conference brings together defense technology leaders from across the nation to share new technologies and explore industry trends. If you are attending, be sure to stop by and see us at booth #149!
Learn more about DMC
here
.
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BRIDG is located at NeoCity in Osceola County, Florida.
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