Lake Nona And Verizon Bolster Community-Wide Innovation Ecosystem In Florida

Lake Nona announced an agreement with Verizon to deploy the company's technology across the 17-square-mile "living lab" community. Verizon and Lake Nona are already testing smart lighting solutions and 5G and will explore additional solutions for healthcare, public safety and retail.

"Verizon is developing the next generation of wireless technology that will change how we live, work and play," said Toby Redshaw, Verizon's senior vice president, enterprise innovation and 5G solutions. "We're excited to partner with a forward-thinking organization like Tavistock and Lake Nona to provide a real-world test bed for the innovative solutions we'll deploy on top of our 5G Ultra Wideband network in 2020 and beyond."

Lake Nona provides an innovation ecosystem that reinforces Orlando as a destination for entrepreneurs and start-ups. Innovation labs, co-working spaces and accelerator programs are already planned in Lake Nona and will debut in 2020.

"Connectivity, both physical and digital is the main engine that powers Lake Nona's innovation ecosystem," said Juan Santos, senior vice president of innovation at Tavistock, the Lake Nona developer. "Our relationship with Verizon adds both expertise and technology that enables tomorrow's innovators to thrive. We want to attract the best talent and ideas to Central Florida, and we're excited to bring partners and infrastructure to complement Orlando's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem."

This is the latest example of Lake Nona's commitment to cultivate innovation within its living lab community. From a prototype wellness home of the future to first-of-its-kind education initiatives and a longitudinal health study, Lake Nona and its residents, also known as citizen scientists, are pushing the quality of life standard forward. Lake Nona's latest technological initiative, with start-up company Beep to bring the region's first autonomous shuttles to the community, is an early example of Lake Nona's effort to create an innovative space for entrepreneurs to test new ideas.

About Lake Nona
Located in Orlando, Fla., Lake Nona is one of the fastest-growing master-planned communities in America developed by Tavistock Development Company. Known for thoughtfully designed neighborhoods, top-rated education facilities, business and research clusters, retail and entertainment centers, and diverse workspaces, Lake Nona encompasses the best Central Florida has to offer. Lake Nona sets the foundation for a collaborative relationship between the people who live, work, and visit there by prioritizing forward-thinking technology, strategic partnerships, education, and wellbeing. For more information, visit http://www.lakenona.com