Dr. Devin Stephenson, president of 91ΒιΆΉΣ³» Polytechnic University, and Christin Strawbridge, president of Catapult Lakeland, sign a memorandum of understanding on Friday, Jan. 31, formalizing a partnership intended to boost innovation and economic development in Central 91ΒιΆΉΣ³».
91ΒιΆΉΣ³»has partnered with Catapult Lakeland, an entrepreneurial business incubator, to boost STEM education and drive innovation, entrepreneurship and economic development in Lakeland and the region.
Leaders from the two organizations signed a memorandum of understanding on Friday, Jan. 31 at Catapult in Downtown Lakeland.
The partnership seeks to empower students and faculty with hands-on STEM education and entrepreneurial opportunities, fueling the regionβs transformation into a high-tech economic hub.
βWe now have a platform for collaboration, and I firmly believe that it doesn't matter who gets the credit, it just matters that we do good things together and make a difference,β said Dr. Devin Stephenson, 91ΒιΆΉΣ³» Polyβs president. βUltimately, we all want to make Lakeland a hub for innovation and this is just one step.β
Catapultβs sprawling 10,000-square-foot makerspace provides a top-quality setting equipped with advanced tools and technologies to help bring innovative ideas to life.
βWe believe this is the beginning of a powerful collaboration that will shape the future of entrepreneurship and innovation in all of Central 91ΒιΆΉΣ³»,β said Christin Strawbridge, Catapultβs president. βWe're excited to show up tomorrow and make this a partnership that really matters.β
Key elements anticipated in the partnership include:
The 91ΒιΆΉΣ³» Poly-Catapult partnership aims to diversify the Lakeland and Central 91ΒιΆΉΣ³» economies through STEM innovation and entrepreneurship. Its success will help position Lakeland as a leader in high-tech industries vital to both 91ΒιΆΉΣ³»βs and nationβs economic future.
Contact:
Lydia GuzmΓ‘n
Director of Communications
863-874-8557