The one-year anniversary of the Levan Center’s grand opening, honored innovators, entrepreneurs companies and startups

The Alan B. Levan | NSU Broward Center of Innovation (Levan Center of Innovation) hosted the inaugural Orbit Innovation Awards on April 27. The event, celebrating the one-year anniversary of the Levan Center’s grand opening, honored innovators, entrepreneurs, companies, startups, and others who have made an impact on the South Florida innovation ecosystem. 

The Levan Center of Innovation, known as the World’s First Theme Park for Entrepreneurs™, is a public-private partnership between Nova Southeastern University and Broward County. It is an economic and education development engine, linking the South Florida innovation ecosystem, and is focused on three themes: innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship. 

The Orbit Innovation Awards recognized key influencers across 13 categories representing the South Florida innovation ecosystem, including Innovation Leader of the Year, which was presented to Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, Vice Chairman, External Affairs for Celebrity Cruises. Other awards included Innovative Company of the Year in Small Corporate, Medium Corporate, and Large Corporate categories, presented to Xendoo, PeakActivity, and Dell Technologies, respectively. Doroni Aerospace was named the Most Innovative Startup, and Black Angels Miami was recognized as the Most Engaged Investor. Leigh-Ann Buchanan, Esq., President of Miami-Dade Innovation Authority, was presented with the award for Innovation in Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion. 

Representatives from the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance and the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County joined Rodrick Miller, President and CEO of the Miami Dade Beacon Council, on stage to accept the Collaborative Nonprofit of the Year award sponsored by Amazon. Ron Drew, Executive Vice President of Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance, and Tim Dougher, Vice President – Business Recruitment, Retention & Expansion for the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County, graciously accepted the award alongside Miller. This historic moment marked a collaborative effort between the three economic development organizations to drive innovation and entrepreneurship in South Florida, fostering a robust ecosystem that continues to power the region’s economic growth. This award serves as a testament to their unwavering commitment to drive change and create a more prosperous future for the region. 

Tamecka McKay, CIO of the City of Fort Lauderdale, was named Most Innovative Chief Information Officer, and Saif Ishoof, CEO of Lab22c, was named Most Innovative Chief Executive Officer. The Accelerator Award – Powering Innovation – Broward County was presented to Broward County Commissioner Michael Udine (former Broward County Mayor), and the Ecosystem Builder National/International was awarded to eMerge Americas. The Ecosystem Builder Regional/State award was presented to Synapse, with Lauren Prager, Chief Executive Officer of Synapse accepting the award. 

The event, which was attended by over 320 South Florida innovators and c-level executives, included networking, awards, food, beverages, entertainment, and silent auction items.  

“Hosting the inaugural Orbit Innovation Awards was a great success and an honor for the Levan Center of Innovation. We are proud to have recognized the best and brightest in the South Florida innovation ecosystem, including innovative companies, entrepreneurs, startups, and key influencers,” said John Wensveen, Ph.D., NSU’s Chief Innovation Officer and Executive Director of the Alan B. Levan | NSU Broward Center of Innovation. “The event was a celebration of the remarkable achievements of these individuals and organizations, and it was inspiring to see their dedication and passion for innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the award recipients and are grateful for their contributions to the South Florida innovation ecosystem.” 

The Levan Center of Innovation is an economic and education development engine for linking South Florida with local, regional, national, and international impact. By powering the innovation ecosystem, the Levan Center of Innovation is a major stakeholder in the establishment of an innovation hub for South Florida.