Embry-Riddle Research Park Grows High-Tech Economy

The Cici and Hyatt Brown Center for Aerospace Technology will be the latest addition to the Embry-Riddle Research Park — already a proven driver of economic impact and high-paying jobs in aerospace and technology. Founded in 2017, the Research Park on the Daytona Beach Campus has already generated $137 million in total economic impact in 2021 alone — a 50-percent increase from 2019. Targeting high-growth sectors, the Research Park supports more than 700 jobs overall, a 40-percent increase since 2019.

Research Park at a Glance

Building Success

Embry-Riddle has invested heavily in infrastructure for the high-tech economy, including the following cutting-edge facilities:

• The John Mica Engineering and Aerospace Innovation Complex is the cornerstone of the Research Park, housing workspaces, labs and business support services.
• The Wind Tunnel is one of the largest and most technologically advanced subsonic wind tunnels at any U.S. university.
• The Cici and Hyatt Brown Center for Aerospace Technology, is set to break ground within the year, will include makerspace and room for entrepreneurial activity.
• The Applied Aviation and Engineering Research Hangar, with access to Daytona Beach International Airport, provides research and corporate lease space.
• The Advanced Technology and Manufacturing Center currently under construction will expand the park’s operations and provide production space for WeatherFlow‑Tempest.

Research Park Timeline

March 2017: The Embry-Riddle Research Park opens with its cornerstone building, the John Mica Engineering and Aerospace Innovation Complex, hosting four initial startups.

2017: Alumnus Reamonn Soto (’17) wins the Research Park’s inaugural Launch Your Venture entrepreneurship competition. His company Sensatek Propulsion Technologies takes root at the Research Park and goes on to win several funding awards for technology that increases the reliability and performance of jet engines.

2018: Embry-Riddle installs one of the largest and most technologically advanced subsonic wind tunnels, enabling researchers to further innovate in areas that include making landings at sea safer.

2020: VerdeGo Aero, a hybrid-electric aerospace powertrain firm and SeaMax, a light-sport aircraft maker, bring the Applied Aviation and Engineering Research Hangar to capacity.

2021: The Advanced Technology and Manufacturing Center is announced and is expected to house the rapidly expanding Research Park tenant WeatherFlow-Tempest Inc., the creator of a personal weather system accessible via smartphone app. 

2022: Cici and Hyatt Brown give $25 million to support innovation and high-paying job growth, including a planned Cici and Hyatt Brown Center for Aerospace Technology.