Volusia County’s Entrepreneurship Movement
•Be the change you wish to see
Innovate Daytona’s mission is to build a sustainable culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in the Volusia County, Florida region.
We take action and launch initiatives that:
– attract media attention
– reduce the fear of failure
– raise the area’s average income
– connect people, innovations and funding
– increase trust, diversity and mentorship
The culmination of our work makes the Volusia County region a hub that attracts and retains talented individuals.
Why Innovate Daytona? Simple: we are the glue bringing everyone together. This increases efficiency, reduces duplication, fosters more collaboration, creates a continuous communication loop and makes it easier for the regular person to understand who the resources are and how they can help their idea or existing company.
History: Fueled by Passionate Local Minds
In 2016, nine individuals who have young families living in Volusia County came together to start a conversation about action steps that could be taken to improve our community while retaining our best and brightest and providing more opportunity for all.
The books Startup Communities and The Rainforest: The Secret to Building the Next Silicon Valley provided the playbook for what could be done. Innovate Daytona was formed as a non-profit 501(c)(3) entity through researching the local economic development landscape and identifying there was a gap in representing entrepreneurs from all industries.
Special thanks to the original nine for volunteering their time and resources to make this movement a reality:
James Jiloty, Stephen Lawrence, Steve Mach, Jayson Meyer, Lou Paris, Dave Spitzer, Jack White, Michael Zaharios and Art Zimmet.
CURRENT LEADERSHIP:
Michael Zaharios, President
Dave Spitzer, Vice President
Steve Mach, Treasurer
CONTACT US: InnovateDaytona@gmail.com
Results: Actions speak louder than words
•Volunteer Led Accomplishments
- Hosted Rainforest Workshop with T2 Venture Creation experts & 50 community leaders
- Inspired subsequent Fail Forward event focused on overcoming adversity in entrepreneurship
- Helped sustain and grow 1 Million Cups weekly entrepreneurship meeting now 4 years running
- Launched Startup Weekend annual 54-hour event in partnership with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
- Gave rise and sustainability to Elevate Daytona Beach event powered by the Leadership Daytona Alumni Council
- Acted as entrepreneurs and rebranded Startup Weekend to Kickstart Weekend to better align local market needs
- Brought nationally recognized Startup Grind event powered by Google to the City of Ormond Beach
Press
- Organizers’ aim: Encouraging Entrepreneurs
- 2 Years Later, Startup Weekend Results in New Venture
- New Businesses In Progress
- Elevate Event Was Uplifting Experience, Organizers Say
- Momentum Building to Create Volusia Entrepreneur Ecosystem
- Entrepreneurs Encouraged Here
- Daytona Beach 1 Million Cups Turns Two
- 1 Million Cups Daytona To Mark 2nd Anniversary
- Entrepreneur Ecosystem Taking Shape
- Solving Volusia’s Brain Drain Issues
Innovate Daytona Resources & Programs
More Must Know Resources & Programs
Volusia County’s Entrepreneurs
Ready to get involved?
We need your help
Click here to support the movement
Innovate Daytona needs your help. If you’re interested in sponsoring an event or donating to the cause, we’d love to hear from you. Fill out the form below and we’ll get back to you right away.
Click here to be the movement
The movement is only as successful as those behind it. We’re always looking for driven, creative, and honest entrepreneurs and professionals to help us grow. Send us a message and we’ll get right back to you.
Thank You Sponsors for Supporting the Movement
TO SPONSOR THE ENTREPRENEURSHIP MOVEMENT, EMAIL US: InnovateDaytona@gmail.com