President
Karl R. LaPan
UF Innovate — Sid Martin Biotech & The Hub
About the Association
Strengthening Florida's entrepreneurial backbone.
For 27 years, the Florida Business Incubation Association has served as the unified voice and operational backbone for the institutions that transform ideas into enterprise across the state.
1998Year Established
45+Member Centers
67Counties Served
27Years of Service
Florida's prosperity depends on the institutions that turn ideas into enterprise. FBIA exists to strengthen those institutions — uniting incubators, accelerators, and innovation hubs under a shared standard of practice, evidence, and impact.
Our mandate · Adopted 1998 · Reaffirmed 2024
Who we are
The statewide association for Florida's ecosystem builders.
If you're an entrepreneur, an entrepreneurial support organization can be a lifesaver — place-making organizations help business builders transform dreams into reality. But who looks out for the people running the ESO?
Established in August 1998, the Florida Business Incubation Association shares information and develops programs that support the successful growth and operation of entrepreneurial support organizations throughout Florida.
Members receive up to 3 complimentary registrations per dues-paying location to our statewide conferences, plus unparalleled access to top-flight management training workshops.
Statewide Peer-to-Peer Meetings
Two in-person convenings each year for members to network, share programs, and surface the latest research and trends.
Program Development
FBIA identifies affinity vendors and codifies best practices so every member can deliver greater value to their clients.
Unified Voice
One centralized mechanism for Florida ESOs to speak as one — a sounding board for shared concerns, needs, and goals.
Storytelling & Impact
FBIA champions inclusive prosperity, shines a light on ecosystem builders statewide, and helps members measure and report their results.
What we do
Six pillars of statewide entrepreneurial support.
FBIA's work spans coordination, advocacy, professional development, standards, partnerships, and impact measurement — each designed to compound the capabilities of Florida's ESOs.
Statewide Coordination
We unify Florida's incubators, accelerators, and innovation hubs under shared standards of practice — creating a seamless entrepreneurial support network from the Panhandle to the Keys.
Policy & Advocacy
FBIA represents the collective voice of Florida's ESOs before state legislators, federal agencies, and economic development bodies — ensuring entrepreneurial infrastructure receives priority investment.
Professional Development
We invest in the people behind the programs. Our peer convenings, benchmarking reports, and training workshops elevate the capabilities of incubator and accelerator leadership statewide.
Accreditation & Standards
FBIA maintains accreditation frameworks aligned with InBIA's international best practices, ensuring Florida's entrepreneurial support organizations meet the highest operational benchmarks.
Partnership Development
We cultivate formal relationships with federal, state, academic, and international bodies — positioning Florida's ecosystem builders within the broader national innovation economy.
Impact Measurement
Through the Florida Impact Index, we collect, verify, and report statewide outcomes across capital mobilized, jobs created, and founders supported — demonstrating the economic return of incubation investment.
Measurable impact
The outcomes of a coordinated statewide network.
Reported annually across FBIA member organizations. Figures reflect cumulative impact since the association's founding in 1998.
Florida Impact Index · 2024 release
12,400+
Founders Supported
Entrepreneurs coached, housed, or mentored through FBIA member programs since inception.
$1.2B+
Capital Mobilized
Equity, grants, and non-dilutive funding raised by ventures in the network.
38,000
Jobs Created
Direct and indirect employment generated by portfolio companies across Florida.
94%
Survival Rate
Five-year survival of companies graduating from accredited member incubators.
Est. 1998
27 years of continuous operation
501(c)(6)
Federally recognized trade association
InBIA Aligned
Adheres to international incubation standards
Statewide
Members in all 7 economic development regions
Common purpose
The principles members share.
Build an inclusive, diverse membership representing every program type, size, fiscal sponsor, and region.
Get "better together" — share and diffuse knowledge in a true community of practice.
Lifelong learners investing in ourselves, because best-practice programs require best-practice leaders.
Unlock value for our business builders with integrity, transparency, and best-in-class programs.
Build trust between regions and programs so Florida's ecosystem thrives end-to-end.
Our board
Operators leading the network.
Vice President
Elliott Welker
UF Innovate | Accelerate — Sid Martin Biotech
Treasurer
Jennifer Harrell
UF Innovate — The Hub
Secretary
Shannon Pastizzo
USF CONNECT & Synapse
Partnerships & affiliations
Recognized by the institutions shaping American innovation.
FBIA operates in formal partnership with federal, state, academic, and international bodies — anchoring Florida's incubation network within the broader innovation economy.
Federal partner
U.S. Small Business Administration
Global affiliate
International Business Innovation Association
State partner
Enterprise Florida
Industry partner
Florida High Tech Corridor
Public sector partner
Florida Department of Commerce
Academic network
State University System of Florida
Join the association
Be part of Florida's entrepreneurial backbone.
Membership connects your organization to peer networks, statewide advocacy, professional development, and the resources that elevate ESO operations across Florida.
- Annual statewide conference + regional convenings
- Director-only roundtables and benchmarking reports
- Discounted access to vetted tooling and training
- Shared policy voice with state and federal partners
45+
Member Centers
67
Counties Served
$1.2B+
Capital Mobilized
94%
5-Year Survival