FAU’s Ryan Lilly is on a mission to make South Florida a gateway for international tech innovators

By Riley Kaminer

When Ryan Lilly, Global Ventures Program Manager at the Research Park at Florida Atlantic University, began his role in January 2022, he brought with him over a decade of experience guiding entrepreneurs across the U.S. Now, his focus has shifted to a new kind of challenge: helping international tech scaleups establish roots and grow in South Florida.

“In some ways, these companies are like startups again when they arrive,” he told Refresh Miami, describing the steep learning curve many founders face as they adapt to U.S. market expectations and business practices.

Global Ventures is not your typical incubator. While most startup programs work with early-stage companies, Lilly’s focus is on second-stage, growth-oriented companies from around the world.

“We’re helping established businesses, many of which have proven success in their home countries, navigate the transition to the U.S. market,” he explained.

The program’s international reach has attracted companies from 12 countries, spanning Central and South America, Europe, and Canada, with a recent addition from Israel. This diverse cohort shares one thing in common: the ambition to expand into North America with South Florida as their launchpad.

Lilly’s role combines matchmaking with strategic guidance. Beyond providing office space and support, he actively connects founders with essential resources, from legal and accounting services to immigration consultants.

“Many international companies don’t have a network here, so I help them build one from scratch,” he shared. These introductions extend to FAU’s resources, where startups collaborate with faculty for research and draw on a talent pool of students, some of whom eventually join the companies as employees. One example is Triangulate Labs, which works with FAU’s College of Nursing on advanced dermatology research, reflecting the unique connections Global Ventures facilitates between academia and industry.

For Lilly, one of the biggest benefits of being part of the Research Park ecosystem is the opportunity for peer-to-peer learning. By organizing regular networking events, lunch sessions, and workshops, he fosters an environment where entrepreneurs can share insights and learn from one another’s experiences.

“Coming out of COVID, I think there’s a renewed appreciation for in-person interaction,” he said. “It’s incredibly valuable for founders to connect and problem-solve together.”

The program’s emphasis on long-term growth also plays a key role in retention. Many companies within Global Ventures stay in the region even after “graduating” from the incubator, choosing to scale within the Research Park or broader South Florida area.

“Retention is huge,” Lilly noted. “We invest heavily in building relationships and making companies feel integrated into the local ecosystem. When other markets come calling, many choose to stay here because of the support network they’ve built.”

As South Florida’s tech ecosystem continues to mature, Global Ventures’ international focus brings an additional dimension to the region’s identity. “This area has unique strengths, particularly in AI and engineering,” he asserted. “I think we’re still defining exactly who we are, but it’s an exciting time to be part of this journey.” For Lilly, who has seen communities across the U.S. strive to build vibrant tech hubs, South Florida stands out for its mix of local ambition and global reach.

Looking ahead, Lilly’s goal is to keep growing the program’s reach, especially by leveraging major events such as eMerge Americas and the Florida International Trade and Cultural Expo. “These events are invaluable for meeting companies that are serious about doing business here,” he said, underscoring the commitment shown by international founders who travel to South Florida to establish connections firsthand.

With Global Ventures, Lilly and his team are setting the foundation for these companies to succeed not just in the U.S., but as part of a thriving South Florida tech scene that has room for all.

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Riley Kaminer

I am a Miami-based technology researcher and writer with a passion for sharing stories about the South Florida tech ecosystem. I particularly enjoy learning about GovTech startups, cutting-edge applications of artificial intelligence, and innovators that leverage technology to transform society for the better. Always open for pitches via Twitter @rileywk or www.RileyKaminer.com.