The inaugural event explored how our world-class researchers, ambitious entrepreneurs, visionary industry leaders, and dedicated community partners are transforming ingenuity into impact – together.
The inaugural UCF Innovate Day showcased how UCF transforms research into real-world impact through entrepreneurship, technology commercialization and strategic partnerships. Powered by the U.S. National Science Foundation’s Accelerating Research Translation (NSF ART) program, which helps turn academic discoveries into practical solutions, the event highlighted the people, partnerships and programs driving innovation across the university.
Held during UCF Space Week 2026, UCF Innovate Day celebrated the strength across UCF’s research and innovation ecosystem, built on collaboration among researchers, entrepreneurs, industry partners and community leaders working together to transform ingenuity into impact at scale.
Participants explored how breakthroughs developed in UCF laboratories are translated into new technologies, startup companies and market-driven solutions through partnerships between academia and industry. These collaborations are strengthening the workforce, fueling economic growth and creating opportunities to improve lives.
“UCF Innovate is a connected ecosystem that strengthens our economy and workforce, boosts America’s competitiveness and helps address society’s most complex challenges through collaboration,” says Winston Schoenfeld, vice president for research and innovation, who discussed the vision and future of UCF research at the event. “This team of experts is creating new pathways for innovation and accelerating the journey from discovery to impact and thanks to the support of NSF, we have been able to accelerate ideas into function.”
The event was led by the connected team that makes up UCF Innovate: the Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership, Office of Technology Transfer, NSF I-Corps, UCF Ventures, and the UCF Business Incubation Program.
The program included remarks from UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright, who discussed how UCF was created to help advance technology since its origin nearly 60 years ago, and the university’s continued commitment toward innovation as a cornerstone of the university’s mission.
The event also featured proclamations celebrating UCF Space Week and innovation at UCF presented by Jeff Williamson, representing Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings, and George McGowan, representing Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. Their support and recognition reinforced the importance of innovation, entrepreneurship, and research translation to the continued growth and prosperity of Central Florida.
Insightful discussions between researchers and entrepreneurs were also a part of the program, including Professor Ivan Garibay, who addressed the transformative opportunities created through UCF’s partnership with NSF through the National Commercialization and Translation Institute (NCTI).
Congratulations to the following innovators who received awards for their impactful achievements:
- 2026 UCF Innovator of the Year: Professor Guifang Li
- 2026 Rising Star Award: Halo Engines
- 2026 Startup of the Year: Relativity Networks
Audience Choice Awards for the Postdoctoral Innovation Fellowship Pitch Competition:
- 1st Place: Pritha Sarkar ’24MS ’26PhD ($1,500 Award)
- 2nd Place: Mahdi Eshaghi ’21MS ’24PhD ($1,000 Award)
- 3rd Place: Andrea Bardales ’23MS ’24PhD ($500 Award)
2026 UCF Innovator of the Year (left to right) Professor Ivan Garibay ’00MS ’04PhD; Founder and President of Caelight, Inc. Professor Guifang Li; Chair UCF Innovate and Senior Director of UCF Technology Transfer and Economic Development Svetlana Shtrom ’08MBA.
2026 Rising Star (left to right) UCF Ventures Program Director Kelli Murray; CEO Halo Engines Jonathan Reyes’15 ’17MS ’19PhD; Chair UCF Innovate and Senior Director of UCF Technology Transfer and Economic Development Svetlana Shtrom ’08MBA; (not pictured Professor Kareem Ahmed).
2026 Startup of the Year (left to right) Co-Founder of Relativity Networks Professor Rodrigo Amezcua Correa; Chair UCF Innovate and Senior Director of UCF Technology Transfer and Economic Development Svetlana Shtrom ’08MBA; Co-Founder of Relativity Networks Jason Eichenholz ’95MS ’98PhD; UCF Ventures Program Director Kelli Murray.
Postdoctoral Innovation Fellowship Pitch Competition (left to right) Chair UCF Innovate and Senior Director of UCF Technology Transfer and Economic Development Svetlana Shtrom ’08MBA; Assistant Director of Technology Transfer & Entrepreneurship Cecily McCoy-Fisher ’07MS ’13PhD, Postdoctoral Fellows Pritha Sarkar ’24MS ’26PhD, Mahdi Eshaghi ’21MS ’24PhD, Andrea Bardales ’23MS ’24PhD; UCF Ventures Program Director Kelli Murray.
Insight Session: From Ingenuity to Impact Moderator: Ben Patz ’85MS, co-founder and general managing partner of DeepWork Capital Panelists: Joe Sleppy ’18, co-founder and CEO of Capacitech Energy Inc. Guifang Li, professor of optics and electrical and computer engineering, and founder and president of Caelight Inc. Jason Eichenholz ’95MS ’98PhD, founder and Chief Executive Officer of Relativity Networks Melanie Coathup, professor of medicine and director of UCF’s Biionix faculty cluster initiative Jonathan Reyes ’15 ’17MS ’19PhD, CEO of Halo Engines
Pegasus Partners: Driving Innovation Moderator: Michael Harding, Associate Vice President of UCF Partnerships Panelists: • Scot LaFerte, Universal Orlando Resort • Riham Hanna, Orlando Health • Fabio Zacco, BNY
To stay informed about upcoming events, opportunities, resources, and success stories from across the innovation ecosystem, visit the UCF Innovate website at https://www.research.ucf.edu/innovate/.