Our History - SWFLTech, Inc.

Mission

Championing the growth of Southwest Florida’s technology sector via a vibrant ecosystem dedicated to advancing technological excellence and economic prosperity.

Innovation Roots

Innovation has always had a home in Southwest Florida. From Thomas Edison’s arrival in 1885 to today’s technology entrepreneurs, our region has built a reputation for producing leaders and ideas that shape the future.

The Beginning (2008)

In 2008, regional economic development councils, Florida Gulf Coast University, and business leaders launched the Southwest Florida Regional Technology Partnership (RTP) — today known simply as SWFL Tech.

The founding members included FGCU, county economic development offices from Lee, Collier, and Charlotte, along with pioneering companies such as WCI Group, Wilson Miller, Surround Technologies, and Training Options.

Guided by its first Board of Directors — a diverse group of business and community leaders including Kevin Barnhill, Lee Paul, Kristi Bartlett, Diana Walker, Randy Mitchelson, and others — RTP set out to connect technology companies, educators, and regional leaders to grow the local economy through innovation.

Many of these organizations and individuals remain engaged today, a testament to their lasting vision and advocacy.

Early Growth (2008–2019)

In its first decade, the organization made technology visible as a driver of economic growth by:

Hosting an Annual Tech Summit with Tech Awards
Partnering on education and workforce initiatives
Supporting students through scholarships and community programs
Co-creating research projects with regional institutions

Resilience (2020–2024)

The challenges of COVID-19 and Hurricane Ian disrupted operations and paused membership renewals out of respect for businesses and individuals navigating those crises. While operations were scaled back, the commitment to fostering innovation in Southwest Florida never wavered.

A Fresh Chapter (2025 and Beyond)

In 2025, the organization rebranded as SWFL Tech to reflect a modern, forward-looking role as the connector of the Gulf Coast’s technology ecosystem. Building on its history of collaboration, SWFL Tech continues to unite innovators, educators, and employers to advance technological excellence and economic prosperity.

#BetterTogether #SWFLTech

Uniting & Promoting Technology Education Communication Collaboration Innovation in Sunny Southwest Florida