Florida State University and the Leon County Research and Development Authority have unveiled IGNITE Tallahassee, a 40,000-square-foot business incubator designed to help deep-tech startups grow and scale in North Florida.
Located in Innovation Park, the facility provides founders with access to private and shared laboratories, over 20 private offices, a dozen meeting rooms, and collaborative workspaces designed for immediate research and product development.
For decades, entrepreneurs working on advanced technologies in the region have lacked local infrastructure and support, often relocating elsewhere to find suitable lab space or funding. IGNITE addresses this challenge by providing integrated services that include mentorship, tailored programming on grant writing and intellectual property strategy, and connections to funding sources. Partnerships with TiE Tampa Bay, industry leaders, and FSU researchers extend the incubator’s reach into the broader innovation ecosystem.
Startups accepted into IGNITE benefit from shared high-end equipment and a built-in network of technical experts, reducing the time and cost required to move from concept to market. The incubator’s programming covers everything from SBIR/STTR proposal preparation to growth strategy workshops, enabling entrepreneurs to focus on scaling while staying rooted in Tallahassee.
This model aims to retain talent locally, create new jobs, and strengthen the region’s competitiveness in energy, materials science, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing.
IGNITE operates within one of the nation’s most powerful research environments, adjacent to facilities such as the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, the Center for Advanced Power Systems, and the High-Performance Materials Institute. Startups can tap into these resources as well as collaborations with FAMU, Tallahassee State College, and corporate partners like Danfoss. The National Science Foundation’s Accelerating Research Translation program provides partial funding, underscoring IGNITE’s mission to convert university research into real-world economic impact.
Among the incubator’s first clients are Piersica, which is advancing next-generation battery technology; VSURGIC, which offers a secure, real-time video platform for operating rooms; and QuarryBio, which is developing a rapid bedside diagnostic for gastrointestinal damage. These companies exemplify IGNITE’s focus on turning bold scientific ideas into practical solutions that benefit both local communities and global markets.
IGNITE Tallahassee will celebrate its grand opening on October 21, 2025, during FSU’s Discovery Days event.
KEY QUOTE:
“IGNITE is a valuable asset that will drive opportunities, build connections and ultimately facilitate job creation throughout the North Florida region. Florida’s success hinges on how well universities, businesses, and government work together to turn research into opportunity. IGNITE exemplifies how we can all collaborate to support economic development in our region.”
“The opportunity IGNITE provides for startups to scale—while continuing research and development—without leaving the area is transformative for Tallahassee.”
Alissa Costabile, IGNITE Program Director
“IGNITE has been foundational to our growth—providing the specialized lab space, resources, and supportive community we need to push boundaries in next-generation energy storage. It’s enabled us to accelerate our technology and grow our team, all while staying rooted in Tallahassee’s expanding innovation ecosystem.”
Claudiu Bucur, Piersica founder and CEO
