This Month's Latest Tech News in Tallahassee, FL - Wednesday April 30th 2025 Edition

Tallahassee is ushering in a transformative era for its tech sector as the $4 billion merger of Converge Technology Solutions and Mainline Information Systems - backed by H.I.G. Capital's $69 billion in assets - creates the newly rebranded Pellera Technologies, now headquartered in the city.

The union solidifies Tallahassee's place on the technology map by positioning Pellera at the forefront of critical areas such as cybersecurity, cloud, digital infrastructure, and artificial intelligence.

The leadership team, combining over a century of IT expertise, is committed to expanding innovative IT solutions for enterprise and mid-market clients. As Pellera's CEO Greg Berard emphasized,

“We're combining the bold vision, unmatched talent, innovative solutions, and trusted partnerships of Mainline and Converge to deliver differentiated value and elevate the customer experience.”

Pellera's AIM (Advise, Implement, Manage) methodology promises streamlined, results-oriented service.

Residents and aspiring tech professionals can track this local industry evolution and upskill for Tallahassee's burgeoning market with dedicated programs like the Nucamp Cybersecurity Fundamentals bootcamp.

For more on this merger's impact, see the official press release regarding the formation of Pellera Technologies and insights from Converge Technology Solutions news coverage.

Tallahassee's tech landscape reached a new milestone this month with the formation of Pellera Technologies, emerging from the $4 billion merger of Converge Technology Solutions and Mainline Information Systems under the guidance of H.I.G. Capital.

Headquartered in Tallahassee, Pellera Technologies is now positioned as a premier provider of innovative enterprise IT solutions, focusing on cybersecurity, cloud, digital infrastructure, and artificial intelligence for enterprise and mid-market clients.

The company's leadership, harnessing over a century of combined industry experience, is spearheaded by CEO Greg Berard and President and COO Jeff Dobbelaere. Backed by H.I.G. Capital's robust $69 billion portfolio, Pellera is accelerating investments to offer comprehensive technology services tailored through its AIM (Advise, Implement, Manage) methodology.

As Greg Berard states,

“We're combining the bold vision, unmatched talent, innovative solutions, and trusted partnerships of Mainline and Converge to deliver differentiated value and elevate the customer experience. With H.I.G.'s support, we're accelerating investments in areas like AI, cybersecurity, hybrid cloud, app modernization, data, and managed services, with the goal of becoming the provider of choice for comprehensive technology solutions.”

For more insights into this merger, see the official press release from PR Newswire, in-depth analysis by Stock Titan on Pellera Technologies' future in AI and cloud solutions, and merger coverage at IntelligentHQ's Pellera Technologies feature.

Restb.ai, a leader in AI-powered computer vision for real estate, is transforming how Tallahassee real estate agents serve buyers and sellers through its partnership with the Capital Area Technology & REALTOR® Services (CATRS).

With recent adoption by 10 additional Multiple Listing Services (MLSs), Restb.ai now provides advanced photo analysis, automated listing population, and compliance tools to over 800,000 agents and brokers across North America, including thousands locally.

Its technology scans property images to instantly populate listing fields, ensure photo compliance, and generate FHA-compliant descriptions, drastically reducing agents' manual workload and enhancing listing quality.

As Nathan Brannen, Chief Product Officer at Restb.ai, explains,

“MLSs adopting AI aren't just improving efficiency. They're setting the foundation to power future real estate technology.”

Widely integrated with major MLS technology vendors, Restb.ai supports agents with scalable solutions such as watermark detection, image similarity search, and automated alt text generation for accessibility.

See the table below for a snapshot of select newly integrated MLSs:

MLS Name	Location	Members/Subscribers
CATRS	Tallahassee, FL	-
MARIS	St. Louis, MO	15,000+
MIBOR BLC	Central Indiana	10,000+

For more on how this technology streamlines agent tasks, visit Restb.ai's MLS solutions overview.

Explore the latest nationwide rollout detailed in 10 More MLSs Deploy Restb.ai Advanced AI Features, and discover industry case studies on the best AI tools for real estate agents.

Florida State University's Dr. Martin Bauer has secured a major grant exceeding $650,000 from the National Science Foundation and the French National Research Agency to lead pioneering research advancing AI-driven 3D modeling, with direct applications in medicine, biology, and computer graphics.

Bauer's interdisciplinary team is focused on developing next-generation algorithms for shape analysis and infinite-dimensional differential geometry, aiming to produce more accurate, customizable models for everything from medical prosthetics to CGI in film.

This collaborative effort involves partners at the University of Houston and leading European institutions, and it's expected to drive innovations in fields such as AR/VR, personalized healthcare, and manufacturing.

As Bauer explains,

“We plan to analyze complex structures of data from current 3D models and improve the algorithms powering them, which will generate more accurate models in medical prosthetics, graphic design prototyping, architecture systems, manufacturing customizable parts and other areas.”

The initiative also integrates large language models like ChatGPT to enhance text-to-3D conversion and immerses graduate students in international research exchanges.

Key technical areas - such as mesh extraction, topological data analysis, and geometric deep learning - are poised to yield breakthroughs in 3D modeling for both digital and real-world applications.

The collaborative, hands-on nature of this multidisciplinary project is detailed further in articles from FSU News on AI-driven 3D modeling research, an in-depth overview of 3D modeling's future by Forward Pathway's article on AI and personalized healthcare, and related reports on Tallahassee's growing tech scene.

The table below summarizes the core components and impact areas of Bauer's research efforts:

Grant Provider	Total Amount	Lead Researcher	Key Fields of Impact
NSF & French National Research Agency	$650,000+	Martin Bauer	Medical Imaging, AI, AR/VR, Custom Manufacturing

For further details on these groundbreaking initiatives at FSU, visit the official FSU Department of Mathematics website.

This month, a comprehensive study led by the Poynter Institute and the University of Minnesota highlights growing skepticism among Americans regarding AI-generated news, despite its rising use in newsrooms nationwide.

Nearly half of U.S. adults surveyed say they do not want news produced by generative artificial intelligence, with 20% believing news organizations should avoid the technology altogether, and over 90% of highly engaged news consumers demanding clear disclosures when AI is used to create articles or edit photos.

A related Pew Research Center poll on AI impacts in journalism found that 59% of Americans expect AI will result in fewer journalism jobs over the next two decades, and 66% are very concerned about the risk of inaccurate or misleading information from AI "hallucinations." Survey data also underscores public doubts about current AI capabilities for journalism, with 41% believing AI would do a worse job than professional journalists at writing the news.

Adding further context, a Cybernews report on public trust and AI-generated news notes that 39% of respondents would only consider AI-assisted news if human editors rigorously verify its facts, pointing to a disconnect between newsroom experimentation and user trust.

As journalism strategists like Meredith Broussard and Benjamin Toff warn,

“The data suggests if you build it, do not expect overwhelming demand for it.”

Experts advocate for radical transparency and a stepwise approach in AI-assisted journalism, emphasizing that public confidence will depend on responsible oversight and clear communication whenever AI is used to produce the news.

Growing awareness of artificial intelligence in journalism has spurred audiences to demand clear, consistent transparency - and robust oversight - from newsrooms in Tallahassee and beyond.

Recent research presented at the 2025 Poynter-AP AI Summit underscores that while newsrooms experiment with AI for reporting and production, the public is largely skeptical of generative AI and wants explicit disclosure:

"People want disclosure. Their reflexive default is, ‘Tell me when (AI) is being used.'"

Nationally, nearly 98% of surveyed news audiences believe news organizations should maintain simple, transparent AI policies and expect labels on AI-generated content, plus ongoing human oversight.

This movement is echoed in legislative action: the bipartisan COPIED Act, introduced in April 2025, would require federal transparency standards and empower journalists to regain control over their content origin, deepfakes, and AI training data.

The following table summarizes key policy expectations:

Expectation	Audience Support
Clear AI disclosure on content	Majority
Human oversight of AI outputs	Most respondents
Industry-wide, updated AI policies	Nearly all

Industry thought leaders further urge Tallahassee newsrooms to proactively develop newsroom-specific AI guidelines and engage both staff and readers in policy updates, fostering trust and accountability as AI tools become integral to news gathering.

For deeper insights, explore findings from the 2025 Poynter-AP AI Summit on journalism ethics and news audiences, recommendations on what news audiences want from AI, and details of the federal COPIED Act increasing transparency and combating AI deepfakes shaping future transparency standards.

A secretly recorded video of Florida Tech President John Nicklow discussing adjustments to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) course language has ignited a high-profile debate over university tech policy across Florida.

President Nicklow contends the video, released by activist James O'Keefe, was illegal and deceptively edited to misrepresent faculty discussions about complying with recent state bans on DEI programs, particularly those championed by Governor Ron DeSantis.

In response, Florida Tech is auditing its programs and web content for compliance, temporarily removing pages such as the Institute for Culture, Collaboration and Management while senior leadership reassures faculty and students of continued legal commitment and educational excellence (read the full Florida Today report on Florida Tech DEI controversy).

During the recorded meeting, Nicklow described needing to "modify language in public-facing documents and course catalogs to avoid becoming a target for state and federal defunding efforts," adding, “We are going to do what we do, let's not unnecessarily put a target on our back” (watch key statements from the DEI video transcript).

Governor DeSantis' office reiterated that public universities are prohibited from DEI activities and warned there would be consequences for circumventing these laws (read the Florida Voice News coverage on DEI ban enforcement).

“My advice is, be mindful of words,” Nicklow told faculty in the recording. “You're not going to get fired for teaching those [DEI] courses.”

As Tallahassee's tech community watches, the episode underscores ongoing tension between campus culture and state regulation in 2025.

Facing a projected $3 million loss in funding and significant student transfers to private school scholarship programs, Leon County Schools are responding to these challenges by forming a new advisory board for Lively Technical College.

This initiative aims to bolster community engagement and strategic alignment with workforce needs, as recent board conversations have underscored the urgency for collaborative solutions amid vague legislative proposals and heightened budget pressures.

Superintendent Rocky Hanna characterized the district's outlook as dire, stating,

"Our financial picture is bleak,"

while data shows proposed state and federal cuts could jeopardize vital programs, including Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and Career and Technical Education.

The creation of the Lively Technical College Advisory Board - composed of educators, industry, and community representatives - signals a commitment to transparency and proactive adaptation despite uncertainty about federal education funding.

For further insights into the financial details and federal impacts, readers can review the Tallahassee Democrat's detailed coverage of Leon schools' budget challenges, the Tampa Bay Times' report on Florida state education budget proposals, and WTXL's update on the impact of federal changes on Leon County Schools.

The situation remains fluid as the advisory board's bylaws and membership structure are finalized, but its establishment marks a crucial step toward protecting high-value technical and vocational education in Leon County.

Miami-based Exowatt has raised $70 million in Series A funding to accelerate the deployment of its flagship Exowatt P3 solar solution, aiming to address the surging energy needs of the AI-driven data center market.

Backed by lead investor Felicis, with participation from Andreessen Horowitz, Atomic, and angel investors like OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Leonardo DiCaprio, the funding is evenly split between equity and debt, bringing Exowatt's total capital to $90 million according to the company's press release.

The Exowatt P3, which launched in September 2024, is a modular, dispatchable solar system designed to deliver up to 24 hours of power daily by storing solar heat in long-duration batteries for on-demand electricity - making it ideal for energy-intensive data centers and commercial applications as detailed by Data Center Dynamics.

With a backlog exceeding 90 GWh and several deployments scheduled across the U.S. in 2025, Exowatt aims to meet a market where AI server energy use - already 14% of global data center demand - is set to double in two years, requiring massive new infrastructure investments and heightened cybersecurity vigilance for the energy sector as reported in POWER Magazine.

“The additional funding will help us accelerate commercialization and deployment of our solution for the data center energy needs and help us scale our manufacturing capacity as fast as possible to address the almost insatiable demand for power from our customers,” said Hannan Happi, Exowatt CEO.

Funding Source	Amount
Equity (Felicis, a16z, others)	$35 million
Debt (HSBC, lending partners)	$35 million
Total Series A	$70 million
Backlog Demand (GWh)	90+

Major diagnostic imaging providers are rapidly upgrading their AI capabilities in Tallahassee and across the nation, spearheaded by RadNet's recent $103 million all-stock acquisition of iCAD. This merger will see iCAD's ProFound Breast Health Suite - capable of analyzing over 8 million mammograms annually in more than 50 countries - integrated into RadNet's DeepHealth AI portfolio, enhancing access to advanced breast cancer detection in Florida's outpatient centers.

According to STAT News' analysis of the RadNet and iCAD acquisition deal, RadNet's DeepHealth and iCAD together will influence over 10 million annual mammograms, and RadNet already facilitates about 1.9 million mammograms and 50,000 breast biopsies a year nationwide.

The combined company aims to accelerate patient access to more accurate, AI-driven diagnostics and expand the availability of workflow tools for clinicians. “ICAD's ProFound Breast Health Suite and RadNet's DeepHealth AI-powered breast screening solutions, together, have the power to materially expand and improve patient diagnosis and outcomes on a global basis through further enabling accuracy and early detection,” RadNet CEO Howard Berger stated in a leader call, emphasizing their commitment to transforming radiology through tech.

“We are looking at this as an opportunity to further solidify our position as the leader in the outpatient imaging space... This sends the message about our commitment to digital health and radiology's future as a tech-enabled business.”

For further details on how this AI-driven merger positions Tallahassee for better cancer care, see the official RadNet acquisition press release and an in-depth interview with RadNet leadership on business strategy and healthcare impact.

An innovative global walkability study led by design firm Perkins Eastman offers actionable insights for Tallahassee's urban planners, harnessing AI and visual data to spotlight features that make city streets more inviting for pedestrians - particularly older adults.

By analyzing over 32,000 Google Street View images and surveying 100,000 pedestrians in Hong Kong's Kowloon district, researchers identified that elements such as benches, shade trees, sidewalks, and crosswalks significantly boost walkability and encourage residents to opt for walking over driving.

The study's AI methodology correlated high pedestrian activity zones with a greater presence of these features and produced guidelines like pairing street furniture with greenery and placing benches near windows and patios to enhance social interaction.

As highlighted in Fast Company's exploration of AI-powered urban design, these recommendations are highly adaptable to varied contexts - including Tallahassee's evolving neighborhoods.

A detailed breakdown of the most effective streetscape elements is presented below:

Streetscape Element	Impact on Walkability
Benches	Encourage rest and socialization
Shade Trees	Increase comfort and accessibility
Sidewalks & Crosswalks	Enhance safety and connectivity

By leveraging AI, cities like Tallahassee can make informed streetscape interventions that support seniors, children, and those with mobility challenges, as further detailed in Perkins Eastman's white paper, “Are These Streets Made for Walking?”.

The firm's continued research and press coverage, summarized in their recent March 2025 highlights, reinforce how thoughtful, AI-informed urban design can transform Tallahassee into a more walkable, vibrant, and inclusive city.

Tallahassee's tech ecosystem continues its forward momentum in 2025, buoyed by bold public-private initiatives and a legislative landscape that is both dynamic and challenging.

Investments like the Danfoss Turbocor expansion at Innovation Park are set to generate hundreds of high-wage jobs and boost regional economic output by $140 million, thanks to impactful partnerships with FSU and local government.

Opportunities for aspiring tech professionals are multiplying, as events such as the Tally Job Hop - organized by the Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce and FSU's College of Communication & Information - connect students directly with thriving local companies, underscoring that careers in innovation are accessible close to home.

Policy debates - like the advance of bills banning student phone use and restoring local control over school start times - highlight the push-and-pull between modernization, educational outcomes, and community needs (insight from WUSF's education coverage).

As Tallahassee balances its historic strengths in research and talent with new challenges and opportunities, the city stands out as a model for resilience and adaptability, setting the stage for both job growth and technological innovation driven by local talent and visionary leadership.