Business
Lake Nona Partners with leAD Sports to Create First-Of-Its-Kind Accelerator in The United States
Orlando, Fla. – Lake Nona, the award-winning, master-planned community in Orlando, Florida – one of America’s fastest-growing regions – announced today a partnership with leAD Sports, the premier sports venture ecosystem inspired by Adi Dassler, to create a new, cutting-edge accelerator designed to bolster technology start-up companies in Central Florida. This partnership marks the first time the Berlin-based leAD Sports will host an accelerator in the United States.
Known as the leAD Lake Nona Sports & Health Tech Accelerator, the accelerator will focus on “future of living” solutions covering three verticals: sports and health tech, smart cities, and the future of nutrition. The accelerator will allow a group of carefully-selected start-ups to take advantage of Lake Nona’s exclusive Verizon 5G broadband capacity enabling participants to test innovative solutions and support their 5G-powered businesses.
Juan Santos, Senior Vice President of Innovation at Tavistock, the Lake Nona developer
“We’re extremely excited to welcome leAD as a partner and create this one-of-kind environment that supports and enables innovators,“ said Juan Santos, Senior Vice President of Innovation at Tavistock, the Lake Nona developer. “Lake Nona has always been a place where ideas are imagined and tested. This new facility for tech start-ups featuring 5G technology within our existing wellbeing community creates a perfect ecosystem for the next great breakthrough that will transform how we live.”
Designed to attract the most promising early-stage tech start-ups from around the world, the leAD Lake Nona Sports & Health Tech Accelerator will drive growth for entrepreneurs through smart investment and expert mentorship in a complete environment that will allow participants to conceive, test, and implement their ideas during a six-month program.
Start-ups or entrepreneurs interested in joining the accelerator can click here for more information about the program. Applications are being accepted now by clicking here through April 30, 2020 and the program is scheduled to begin this summer. Each participant accepted to the program will receive a $75,000 pre-seed investment with 8% equity backed by the unique combination of leAD’s vast experience in seed investing and start-up programs, Tavistock’s investment legacy, and Lake Nona’s smart city landscape.
Christoph Sonnen, Co-Founder and CEO at leAD, Partner at ADvantage Sports Tech Fund
“Pioneers in using technology to create and promote a healthy lifestyle – obviously with sports playing a crucial role – Lake Nona couldn’t be a more perfect partner for our program expansion in the U.S.,” said Christoph Sonnen, Co-Founder and CEO at leAD, Partner at ADvantage Sports Tech Fund. “For us, it’s all about looking at the athlete – amateur, professional – on and off the court, with smart, forward-thinking solutions. We’re extremely excited to work together to empower the next generation of entrepreneurs that will shape how we live in the future.”
Entry to the accelerator will provide selected startups with accommodations, mentoring sessions, networking opportunities, and several investor pitch days. The accelerator will feature an onsite network of experts and mentors, exposure to strategic partners, counsel from venture capitalists and professional investors, and support in key areas including legal, intellectual property, and accounting to ensure entrepreneurs can successfully bring their ideas to market.
The leAD Lake Nona accelerator will be located within the new 16,000-square-foot Pixon MS2 innovation space that is currently under construction on the ground floor of the Pixon Apartment building. The Pixon MS2 space will provide a variety of different programs and resources to support tech start-ups in addition to being home of the leAD Lake Nona accelerator.
The new accelerator program is the latest example of Lake Nona’s commitment to cultivate innovation. As a wellness community home to Medical City, the U.S. Tennis Association National Campus, and Johnson & Johnson Human Performance Institute, Lake Nona’s established health and sports background provides an ideal setting for the accelerator to help entrepreneurs test their ideas in a real-life environment. Following the six-month program, burgeoning companies can stay local to take advantage of Lake Nona’s living lab and all of Central Florida’s entrepreneurial resources designed to support their growing businesses.
For more information, visit www.leadsports.com/lake-nona-accelerator.
Business
Orlando Regional REALTOR Association Event Highlights Orange County Growth, Housing Trends and Economic Outlook
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — The Orlando Regional REALTOR Association (ORRA) hosted its second annual State of Real Estate event for Orange County on April 17, bringing together industry professionals, policymakers and community leaders to examine the region’s housing market and economic outlook.
Held at ORRA’s headquarters in Orlando, the event focused on the evolving dynamics of residential and commercial real estate across Central Florida. Discussions centered on housing affordability, economic growth and long-term regional development.
Speakers and Panelists
- Lawrence Yun — Chief Economist, National Association of REALTORS
- Maria Henson — Senior Director of Market Research & Insights, Visit Orlando
- Racquel Asa — Head of External Affairs, Central Florida Expressway Authority
- Amy Mercado — Property Appraiser, Orange County
- Chris Atwell — Moderator, 2026 ORRA President
Industry experts said Central Florida’s economy continues to grow, though at a more measured pace. While housing and stock market wealth remain near record highs, job growth is softening, consumer sentiment has declined and loan defaults are rising — creating a market shaped by mixed signals.
Panelists noted the housing market has shifted into a more stable phase compared to the rapid growth seen during 2020 and 2021, with more balance and sustainable conditions.
Despite short-term fluctuations, long-term fundamentals remain strong. Orange County’s tax base has grown significantly since 2023, while the broader Central Florida region has experienced a 23% population increase over the past decade, with more than 1,200 people moving to the area each week.
Infrastructure and tourism were also highlighted as key drivers of future growth. Officials pointed to major roadway investments by the Central Florida Expressway Authority and the region’s continued strength as a tourism hub, drawing more than 75 million visitors in 2024.
“We’re operating in a global economy where interest rates, supply chains and migration policies all influence what happens at the local level,” said ORRA CEO Cliff Long.
Economic Trends Show Mixed Signals
Experts emphasized that strong asset values are being offset by softer job growth and declining consumer confidence.
Housing Market Enters Stable Phase
The market has transitioned from pandemic-driven volatility to a more balanced and sustainable pace.
Growth, Infrastructure and Tourism Drive Future
Population growth, infrastructure investment and tourism continue to support long-term expansion in Central Florida.
ORRA’s Impact and Benefits on the Real Estate Industry
The Orlando Regional REALTOR Association provides critical market insights, advocacy and professional resources for REALTORS® across Central Florida. Its events foster collaboration between industry leaders, policymakers and the community, helping guide responsible growth, inform housing policy and strengthen the regional real estate market.
Business
Walmart’s Road to Open Call Returns to Orlando, Offering Small Businesses Access to National Retail Opportunities
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — Walmart, in partnership with the Hispanic Chamber of Metro Orlando, will host the 2026 Walmart Road to Open Call pitch event on May 21 in Orlando, offering small businesses the opportunity to present their products directly to Walmart buyers.
The Orlando event is the only Florida stop in 2026 and is part of a nationwide initiative designed to support small business growth, expand supplier diversity and strengthen U.S. manufacturing.
OPPORTUNITY FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
The Road to Open Call serves as a pathway for entrepreneurs to connect with Walmart’s sourcing team, refine their pitches and prepare for the company’s annual Open Call event in Bentonville, Arkansas.
Applications are open through May 1 at 10 p.m. EST. A select group of applicants will be chosen to participate in the Orlando event, where each business will receive a 30-minute, one-on-one pitch meeting with a Walmart buyer, along with feedback and mentorship.
Top participants may earn a fast pass to Walmart’s annual Open Call, where they can pitch for potential placement in Walmart stores or online.
FOCUS ON U.S.-MADE PRODUCTS
Walmart’s Open Call is the company’s largest sourcing event for products made, grown or assembled in the United States. The program is open to businesses across industries, including food and beverage, beauty, safety and consumer goods.
“The Road to Open Call provides a powerful platform for small businesses to grow and scale,” said Mark Espinoza, senior director of public affairs at Walmart. “By connecting entrepreneurs directly with our sourcing teams, we’re helping bring innovative, U.S.-made products to customers while supporting American jobs and local economies.”
LOCAL IMPACT AND ECONOMIC GROWTH
Local leaders say the initiative strengthens both entrepreneurship and the regional economy.
“We are proud to join forces with Walmart for the second consecutive year to bring this opportunity to the business community,” said Pedro Turushina, president and CEO of the Hispanic Chamber of Metro Orlando. “This initiative supports entrepreneurs and helps small businesses access national retail opportunities.”
Since launching in 2014, Walmart’s Open Call has helped thousands of small and midsize businesses become suppliers, while more than 85% of Walmart shoppers report valuing U.S.-made products.
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — AdventHealth is now accepting applications for its 2026 Community Impact Grants, aimed at supporting nonprofit organizations working to address critical health needs across Central Florida.
The grant program partners with community-based organizations to expand initiatives that improve quality of life and promote long-term sustainability. Eligible nonprofits serving residents in Orange, Osceola, Seminole and South Lake counties are encouraged to apply.
Applications are open from March 30 through April 16, with funding expected to begin Jan. 1, 2027.
FOCUS ON COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS
The grants are guided by Central Florida’s Community Health Needs Assessment, which identifies key challenges impacting residents’ well-being.
“Our annual Community Impact Grants are guided by Central Florida’s Community Health Needs Assessment to ensure we are investing meaningfully where our neighbors need us most,” said Tricia Edris, senior vice president of innovation and partnerships for AdventHealth Central Florida. “We are honored to align our resources and stand as partners to create measurable, lasting impact across the region.”
PRIORITY AREAS FOR FUNDING
The 2026 grant cycle will focus on three key areas:
- Housing instability
- Transportation
- Food insecurity
These priorities reflect social determinants of health that can significantly influence a person’s ability to live a healthy and stable life. Community organizations often serve as the first line of support for residents facing these challenges.
COMMUNITY IMPACT AND PARTNERSHIPS
Past grant recipients say the program has helped expand opportunities for residents. Crystal Davidson highlighted the impact of the initiative on workforce development.
“Schools and colleges often don’t have the funding to provide introductory workforce programs that expose students to new career opportunities,” Davidson said. “Through partnership grants like the one AdventHealth is providing, we’re able to give young people hands-on experiences that help them discover their potential and build a path toward a meaningful career.”
AdventHealth will also host an informational webinar to guide organizations through eligibility requirements, funding priorities and the application process. Interested applicants can learn more and apply through the AdventHealth website.
