Downtown Jacksonville has emerged as the region’s Innovation District – a dense urban environment where anchor institutions and companies cluster and connect with start-ups, business incubators and accelerators. Physically compact, transit-accessible, technically-wired and blossoming with arts and culture, Downtown Jacksonville offers the right resources to foster creativity, ideas, collaboration and entrepreneurship.

Entrepreneurs

Downtown Jacksonville hosts a thriving ecosystem of innovation, providing the right support and resources for entrepreneurs of all types. Startups of all types are making a home here. Our robust community shares ideas constantly, connecting on a personal scale in the heart of a major city. This site provides a foundation for information for this innovation community, allowing for even more growth and prosperity.

Resources in Downtown

Our community is growing fast and we want it to grow even faster. Numerous resources exist to facilitate innovation, collaboration and success. Reach out, plug in, get involved and become part of our community today.

The JAX Bridges program is a simulation that educates entrepreneurs. It creates

The Downtown Investment Authority is the Community Redevelopment Agency and Economic Development arm Downtown Jacksonville. Our mission is to attract investment, facilitate job creation, and increase the residential base of Downtown Jacksonville and truly create a place to live, work and play. If you’re interested developing, opening a business, or expanding an existing business in Downtown Jacksonville, we’re here to help.

Traditional Support Resources

SBA North Florida – https://www.sba.gov/offices/district/fl/jacksonville

SBDC Florida – https://www.sbdc.unf.edu/

Beaver Street Enterprise Center – http://www.bsecjax.com/

ScaleUp North Florida – http://www.scaleupnorthflorida.com/

SCORE Jax – http://www.scorejax.org/

FLVEC – http://www.flvec.com/duval/

Stay up to date on whats going on in the Spark District

Why DTJax?

The Spark District is part of a thriving Downtown Jacksonville community, with restaurants, bars, shops, museums, entertainment venues, amenities and events catered to a live/work/play urban lifestyle in the city core.

For everything happening in Downtown Jacksonville, visit http://www.DowntownJacksonville.org.
BurroNight

Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT IS AN INNOVATION DISTRICT?

Innovation districts contain economic, physical, and networking assets facilitating innovation. When these three assets combine with a supportive, risk-taking culture they create an innovation ecosystem—a synergistic relationship between people, firms and place (the physical geography of the district) that facilitates idea generation and accelerates commercialization. For more information about the rise of innovation districts, click here:  http://www.brookings.edu/about/programs/metro/innovation-districts)

WHO IS PART OF JACKSONVILLE’S INNOVATION DISTRICT?

Inclusive of the growing entrepreneur and arts community in Downtown Jacksonville, The Spark District is supported by a grassroots collaboration between innovation resources, the City of Jacksonville, the City’s Downtown Investment Authority (DIA) and a robust group of Downtown stakeholders and non-profits, including JaxChamber, Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville and Downtown Vision Inc.