Tech boom

Chris Oltyan emerged from his office looking like a deer caught in headlights. Crunch time in the video game world will do that to you.

But Oltyan, director of product development for ZeeGee Games, knows it's just one of the many situations he'll learn from while working in Central Florida's only digital media incubator.

Just outside Winter Park, across the street from Full Sail University at 1 Purlieu Place, is 30,000 square feet of pure potential, some of which is already being plugged into the community. Companies that specialize in 3-D technologies are sharing the space, and while each company has its own office, it is their passion for the industry that makes the place function like a cooperative.

The building owned by MEHTA Group, a holding company, currently houses MEHTA Interactive, the 3-D visualization and simulation division of MEHTA Group; Helios Interactive, a game development studio and the creators of GameCore; IMI Labs, 3-D virtual world developers; ZeeGee Games, game developers; and Digital Media Alliance Florida, the state's nonprofit industry association that connects digital media, arts and entertainment companies.

"This is a particularly strong time for this type of 3-D interactive content emerging in the marketplace," said Jud French, executive director of Digital Media Alliance Florida. "It's not a classic incubator. This is designed as a case where the companies come together out of business interests to coexist and help support each other. It's exactly the sort of project that we feel is needed in the area."

Since its official launch in December, the incubator's focus has been fostering the development of the current tenants and their businesses.

"It's still a lot of homespun, small companies that are making big differences in terms of innovation," said David Beatriz, President of Planet Digital and Treasurer of Digital Media Alliance Florida. "Their idea that they're putting together is to make this business building area where they can do business development for little companies and build them into big companies."

Although University of Central Florida's Business Incubation Program isn't very far from MEHTA's Digital Media Incubator, the latter is still one-of-a-kind.

"[These companies] really need support in getting up and going and developing technology that attracts capital," said Rave Mehta, MEHTA Group managing director and Helios Interactive CEO. "We're very complementary to what UCF is doing. We can tap into their resources from a supporting start-up, and we really complement that from helping companies develop technologies and business models in this specific segment."

A particular benefit of the incubator's location, Mehta and other supporters said, is its proximity to both Full Sail and UCF.

"Florida is evolving into a strong digital media state and Winter Park is kind of an epicenter of it," Mehta said. "To have the creative forces of Full Sail and UCF, there's no reason why Orlando can't be put on the map in the gaming and 3-D interactive [industry]."

One of the incubator's primary supporters is the Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission (EDC), an organization dedicated to helping businesses develop and grow within an economically competitive environment.

"The competition to attract [digital media] to any community is very high," said Suzy Spang, EDC vice president of technology and entertainment. "I think it's smart. I think it offers companies an opportunity to live and learn off of each other in a close proximity."

Those who work for companies that are a part of the incubator couldn't agree more.

Ross Rockafellow, an artist and designer at Helios Interactive, has been with the company almost six months and feels confident in the knowledge and abilities of those around him.

"For the most part it's all about sharing and having that fresh set of eyes and fresh brain," Rockafellow said. "The technology changes so fast that it's literally impossible for one person to stay updated by themselves."

Members of the incubator are united by more than their skills. It's their passion for the industry that really makes it work.

"Everyone wants the industry to move forward, collectively," Rockafellow said. "It's not about who gets there first, but it's really about progressing the industry as a whole."

Incubator perks

In addition to accounting, legal, financing and other traditional start-up services, MEHTA has recruited massage therapists, yoga instructors, and personal trainers.

MEHTA Ventures - Digital Media 3D Incubator

Shari Oliver, Coordinator

P: 407.657.6662

F: 407.657.9579

[email protected]