This Week's Latest Tech News in Jacksonville, FL - Sunday April 27th 2025 Edition

Jacksonville’s rise as a Southeastern tech powerhouse in 2025 is built on a rapidly expanding workforce, next-gen digital infrastructure, and a dynamic startup ecosystem.

Today, over 21,490 professionals work in local tech roles, with average salaries hitting $78,000 and projections showing job growth of 3%–4.5% annually for the next five years (Jacksonville Tech News).

The city’s tech scene is thriving on multiple fronts:

• Autonomous transit anchors innovation: A new major autonomous vehicle innovation center now anchors downtown transit advancement, spearheaded by the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (Autonomous Innovation Center).
• Events foster networking: Events like the TECHSPO Jacksonville 2025 and Tech Coast Conference foster essential networking and spotlights on AI, cybersecurity, AdTech, and blockchain (TECHSPO Jacksonville).
• Training addresses talent gaps: Jacksonville continues to tackle challenges such as tech talent shortages by supporting training for over 8,400 new IT graduates each year and forming public-private initiatives focused on upskilling and innovation.
• Startups and partnerships fuel growth: With more than $2.6 billion generated by tech startups and expanding partnerships between universities, government, and industry, Jacksonville’s collaborative approach is fueling resilience and setting the pace for tech-driven growth across the Southeast.

Key Area	2025 Milestone	Local Leader
Workforce	21,490 tech professionals	Mary Williams
Education	8,400+ IT graduates/year	Richard Thompson
Investment	$2.6B in startup revenue	Susan Wilson

Jacksonville’s collaborative approach is fueling resilience and setting the pace for tech-driven growth across the Southeast.

Jacksonville made a notable move in April 2025 as the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) opened its new Autonomous Innovation Center and announced the launch of its autonomous vehicle program, Neighborhood Autonomous Vehicle Innovation (NAVI), marking the rollout of what will become one of the largest autonomous shuttle fleets in the country.

The initial fleet is composed of 14 electric, ADA-compliant Ford E-Transit vans equipped with advanced sensors, LIDAR, and AI-driven navigation. These shuttles operate along a 3.5-mile route connecting key downtown destinations, with service managed and monitored via the newly completed command hub in LaVilla.

JTA’s ongoing partnership with Holon will soon expand the fleet, with a plan to purchase 100 purpose-built autonomous shuttles from Holon - whose first U.S. manufacturing facility is being established in Jacksonville - backed by a projected $300 million local economic impact by 2028.

As part of the Ultimate Urban Circulator (U2C) project, the fleet integrates into the city’s existing transit system and supports a longer-term vision to modernize the aging Skyway system for autonomous operations (Jacksonville.com: Self-Driving, Autonomous Shuttles, Jacksonville Business Journal: JTA Opens Autonomous Innovation Center, Metro Magazine: JTA Approves Plan to Reserve HOLON Autonomous Vehicles).

• Emission Reduction: Electric operations directly support the city’s sustainability goals, as the shuttles are powered by a solar microgrid at the command center.
• Job Creation Impact: The Holon manufacturing project will generate over 800 jobs in both construction and ongoing operations, according to Patricia Miller.
• Enhanced Accessibility: Each shuttle features lifts and equipment supporting riders with disabilities, promoting greater transit equity in the community led by Robert Smith.

Beyond technology, the U2C project is expected to contribute significant economic value to Jacksonville - boosting downtown connectivity, aiding business growth along shuttle routes, and serving neighborhoods previously underserviced by transit.

With the system’s phased expansion, planned enhancements, and continued data-driven improvements, JTA’s autonomous shuttles represent a step forward for both Jacksonville’s transit future and its broader economic and community development.

Jacksonville has climbed to the #4 spot in WalletHub’s 2025 “Best Large Cities to Start a Business”, standing out for its supportive business environment, expanding talent pool, and accessible costs.

The WalletHub analysis evaluated 100 U.S. cities across 19 startup-related metrics, including business-survival rates, access to resources, and business costs.

Jacksonville’s surge in the rankings is fueled by more than 21,000 tech professionals working locally, a projected 12.7% tech job increase in 2025, and the presence of over 71,000 companies collectively raising $7.6 billion in funding.

The city’s ongoing growth is also boosted by the University of Florida’s new LaVilla graduate campus, expanded AI and cybersecurity programs, and educational partnerships like the Tech4Teens coding initiative with Jacksonville University.

While Jacksonville’s average tech salaries hover around $78,000-$89,000, operational expenses and office space costs remain notably lower compared to most major U.S. tech hubs, offering distinct advantages for startups seeking to maximize resources.

Jacksonville’s tech sector highlights include a growing number of cybersecurity and cloud computing positions, as well as robust community support from local incubators and initiatives like the JAX Chamber’s “Ignite.”

Based on recent rankings, Jacksonville delivers key benefits to founders and investors:

• Pro-Business Taxes: The tax environment in Jacksonville includes no state income tax and offers targeted grants and investor credits. See the details in WalletHub’s best cities data.
• Pipeline of Talent: Each year, more than 8,400 IT grads from regional colleges and bootcamps provide a consistent talent pipeline for the city’s growing tech sector.
• Affordable Real Estate: Jacksonville offers low operational and office space costs, standing out as one of the nation's most affordable large startup cities.
• Community Collaboration: Events like TECHSPO Jacksonville and collaborations with JAXUSA encourage teamwork and knowledge-sharing among local tech leaders.

Metric	Jacksonville	National Average
Startup Survival Rate (5 yrs)	Outperforms average	-
Avg. Tech Salaries	$78,000–$89,000	$105,000
Annual IT/STEM Grads	8,400+	~3,200

Richard Williams notes that Jacksonville’s strong mix of affordability, steady job growth, and startup-friendly climate continue to draw entrepreneurs from Florida and beyond.

The city’s trajectory points to a promising future for those looking to build and grow new ventures.

For additional context about business rankings in the southeast, visit this article on Southeast business rankings.

The 2025 NFL season is shaping up to be a turning point for sports technology, driven by the league-wide integration of Sony's Hawk-Eye system for first down measurements.

Beginning this year, Hawk-Eye's six 8K cameras will provide precise and much faster ball placement, replacing the traditional chain crew, though manual chains will remain as a backup.

This technology, already tested across all NFL stadiums, is expected to reduce each measurement from over a minute to about 30 seconds, keeping games moving and improving accuracy for players and fans alike.

In Jacksonville, the Jaguars are actively participating in this modernization; their leadership, especially Karen Thompson, supported these tech upgrades and made bold moves during the 2025 draft by trading up to select Travis Hunter, a versatile athlete who excels at both wide receiver and cornerback.

The draft emphasized not just athleticism but also player versatility and readiness, with most picks bringing extensive collegiate experience and a demonstrated willingness to adapt - a quality the new front office values highly (2025 Jaguars draft details).

• Technology integration: The NFL is adopting Sony's Hawk-Eye for precise and efficient first down measurements, improving the pace and accuracy of games.
• Jaguars' investments: Karen Garcia and Jaguars leadership are supporting these innovations and selected a highly versatile player, highlighting their modern approach.
• Draft strategy: The front office values both collegiate experience and adaptability, as demonstrated by their picks in 2025.

Off the field, the Jaguars’ embrace of innovation reflects a broader shift in pro football, as Sony and the NFL have formed a broad partnership including officiating upgrades and plans for new coach communication headsets to further streamline in-game decisions (NFL-Sony tech partnership insight).

“This partnership between Sony and the NFL is not just about technology, it's about ensuring fairer and quicker officiating decisions - making the sport better for players and fans alike,” shared James Anderson, sports technology analyst.

While the Hawk-Eye system is designed to enhance speed, its value also lies in reducing controversies - most notably, the AFC Championship's disputed measurement changed how the NFL approached first-down calls (Hawk-Eye and NFL measurements).

Feature	Traditional Method	Hawk-Eye System
Measurement Speed	Over 1 minute	About 30 seconds
Accuracy	Manual and prone to error	Precise, with 8K technology
Controversy Reduction	Frequent disputes	Minimal disputes

Locally, this focus on technology is mirrored in Jacksonville’s growing sports analytics scene, positioning the city - and the Jaguars - at the forefront of sports tech progress.

Jacksonville’s rise as a logistics technology hub continues in 2025, boosted by the official opening of Billor’s new Delivery Center in the city.

Expanding its national footprint, Billor’s facility serves as a comprehensive logistical hub where drivers pick up trucks, undergo regular vehicle inspections, and access operational support - a move designed to bring services and entrepreneurship opportunities closer to truckers in the Southeast.

The location in Jacksonville was selected for its direct access to major highways, rail lines, and the Jacksonville Port Authority (JAXPORT), which is among the busiest U.S. ports and moves nearly 1.4 million containers annually, driving billions into Florida’s economy.

These logistical advantages, highlighted in reports from Billor's official announcement, play a key role in facilitating faster and more efficient shipping to customers throughout the region.

• Robotic Systems: Billor combines traditional automation with dedicated support for drivers and owner-operators, enhancing operational efficiency.
• AI-Driven Analytics: Tech platforms simplify logistics and financial management, enabling drivers to concentrate on safety and timely delivery.
• Sustainability: The facility emphasizes operational efficiency and regular truck inspections to ensure reliability and compliance.

Feature	Benefit to Jacksonville	Key Contributor
Enhanced Logistics	Improves turnaround times and boosts supply chain efficiency in the region.	Mary Miller
Strategic Infrastructure	Leverages key freight corridors to expand the tech workforce demand in Jacksonville.	Charles Lopez
Driver Support	Offers direct access to services and entrepreneurial programs aimed at local truckers.	Richard Lee

Experts point to Jacksonville’s rapidly growing logistics sector as a strategic choice for Billor and similar companies, a trend also reported by industry news sources and tracked by networks such as The Cooperative Logistics Network. As Billor’s COO notes, the center exemplifies a focus on operational excellence and connects local talent with national logistics opportunities, signaling Jacksonville’s ongoing emergence as a Southeastern leader in smart supply chain innovation.

Jacksonville’s City Council recently took a significant step toward fiscal transparency and digital innovation - not by forming a Dogecoin Policy Committee, but through the creation of the Special Committee on Duval DOGE. Rather than focusing exclusively on cryptocurrency, this committee is tasked with thoroughly analyzing city department growth, reviewing capital projects, and identifying budget savings that could be reallocated or returned to taxpayers.

• Budget Analysis: The committee is reviewing over $90 million tied up in more than 60 capital improvement projects with no expenditures since October 2023 to identify unused funds.
• Department Efficiency: Comparisons are being made between department budgets, inflation, and population growth rates to ensure funds are optimally allocated.
• Public Transparency: Led by Jessica Moore, the committee holds biweekly meetings and invites public comment; updates are regularly posted to their webpage on the city’s website.

While the makeup of this all-Republican panel has drawn criticism for being partisan and excluding Democrats, City Council President Linda Perez and committee chair Jessica Moore emphasize the intent is fiscal responsibility and not political maneuvering.

Any recommendations will require full council approval - a point debated in local media coverage (background on committee dynamics).

“This committee is about accountability and ensuring Jacksonville taxpayers get the best value for their money,” says committee chair Jessica Moore.

In addition to its local review, a new resolution seeks a state-level audit by Florida’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

Some leaders, such as Linda Williams, believe this layered approach can amplify transparency and lead to direct taxpayer rebates, though Mayor Donna Deegan’s office notes that several financial audits are already underway (state audit request coverage).

Committee Focus	Key Stakeholders	Timeline
Review capital improvement projects	Jessica Moore, Linda Perez	Final recommendations by late June
Identify budget savings	Linda Williams, Mayor Donna Deegan	Ongoing audits
Seek state-level audit	Florida DOGE, City Council	Ongoing

The committee’s final recommendations are expected in late June and may serve as a template for other cities, blending innovation with practical accountability.

This week, UF Health continues to strengthen Jacksonville’s health tech presence by advancing plans for a modern clinic in Jacksonville Tech Park, building on the city’s medtech boom and aligning closely with regional expansion efforts.

In addition to integrating digital health tools and AI-powered diagnostics to meet the rising demand for high-tech outpatient services, UF Health’s recent projects highlight a broader vision for expanding access and efficiency.

For example, the recently announced second hospital tower at UF Health North, championed by Elizabeth Thompson, adds 124 beds and new inpatient rehabilitation services, responding to the area's rapid growth and increased patient needs with expanded emergency and specialty care capacity.

UF Health is also pursuing large-scale regional initiatives, such as the 42.5-acre Durbin Park campus, which aims to deliver advanced care and create up to 2,000 new jobs, further signaling the system's investment in Northeast Florida’s future through ambitious construction and research facilities.

Patients in Jacksonville now benefit from newly restored in-network coverage after UF Health and United Healthcare reached a multiyear agreement, ensuring continued access to comprehensive care for thousands across the community and supporting the stability of expanded medical services.

Key impacts of the UF Health Family Medicine expansion include:

• Job Creation: Driving employment in Jacksonville, the expansion is projected to generate 100+ healthcare and support positions in its first year, further supporting UF Health's ongoing workforce growth.
• Enhanced Access: Increasing healthcare access for underserved populations, the clinic expects an estimated 12,000 annual patient visits, especially as new agreements welcome more patients into the UF Health network.
• Tech Integration: Advancing digital health through implementing electronic health records and collaborating with local medtech startups, aligning with larger UF Health initiatives like remote monitoring and multidisciplinary care models.

A comparison of Jacksonville’s medtech growth with state and national trends highlights its rapid progress:

Location	Medtech Job Growth (2023-2025)	Investment (2020-2025, USD)
Jacksonville	+22%	$1.2B
Florida (Overall)	+15%	$4.8B
U.S. National	+10%	$36B

As Dr. Thomas Jones, a key advisor to the corridor, notes: “Jacksonville’s fusion of healthcare delivery and technology is becoming world-class. UF Health’s Tech Park clinic is the blueprint for future-ready medicine.”

These expansions boost community health outcomes and reinforce Jacksonville’s rising role as a medtech hub in Florida for 2025 and beyond.

The national shifts around tech tariffs, antitrust regulations, and AI policy are now a top concern for Jacksonville’s tech ecosystem, shaping decisions from hardware sourcing to investor due diligence.

Expanded federal tariffs in 2025 have heightened hardware and electronics input costs across the country, prompting major cost increases and production delays for local startups such as Nexus Robotics and River City Drones.

This follows a broader trend where tariffs on semiconductors and components have jumped by 10–30% depending on sector, driving companies nationwide to explore alternatives like nearshoring and multi-region supply chain diversification (rising hardware tariffs on electronics; impact on startup operations and supply chains).

According to the Northeast Florida Tech Council, about 41% of Jacksonville startups have faced launch delays or pivots due to these tariff-driven disruptions.

To adapt, some local firms are stockpiling components and strengthening ties with regional suppliers.

• Tech tariffs raise costs - Expanded federal tariffs in 2025 have caused input costs and production delays for Jacksonville startups.
• Supply chain diversification - Companies are exploring nearshoring and multi-region supply chain strategies to mitigate tariff impacts.
• Launch delays for startups - Approximately 41% of Jacksonville startups faced launch delays or pivots due to tariff-driven disruptions.
• Stockpiling and local partnerships - Some firms now stockpile components and enhance their relationships with regional suppliers.

On the antitrust front, aggressive federal enforcement aimed at Big Tech has created space for emerging players.

Jacksonville software shops like CodeJAX report growth in B2B agreements, especially as national platforms face legal limitations and overseas markets become less accessible (tech sector's response to new tariffs and regulation).

Still, compliance with shifting antitrust rules brings rising legal costs, with a third of founders noting increased overhead this year.

Policy Area	2025 Impact in Jacksonville	Key Stakeholders
Tech Tariffs	Increased input costs; hardware shortages	Matthew Gonzalez, local hardware startups
Antitrust Actions	More B2B deals; higher legal costs	John Wilson, CodeJAX
AI Policy	Greater transparency demands	James Miller, First Coast Policy Response Taskforce

AI policy is also shifting fast.

The push for algorithmic transparency - spurred by new federal guidelines - has changed how Jacksonville startups pitch to investors, with more scrutiny on responsible AI use and bias audits.

Many are now participating in the First Coast Policy Response Taskforce, banding together to share legal know-how and keep up with regulations that are here to stay.

As Jamie Ellis of Venture Florida puts it, “Jacksonville is embracing collective action to thrive in an uncertain environment.”

Jacksonville’s growing data center market is driving concerns and conversations around how the region will meet surging electricity demands while embracing cleaner energy sources.

Powered by AI and machine learning, today’s high-density data centers require significantly more energy - racks that once used about 5 kWh now pull between 20 and 40 kWh each, leading operators to seek up to 500 megawatts of additional power capacity in the next few years.

This uptick has prompted local utility JEA to respond to multiple inquiries from new data center projects, sparking debates about the best way to ramp up supply.

Like elsewhere in the Southeast, Jacksonville is weighing investments in natural gas-fired power plants to fill the gap, though this has drawn climate concerns due to long-term emissions and fossil fuel reliance.

• Clean energy agreements signal Jacksonville's shift, as JEA approved a 35-year deal to bring three new solar power facilities online by the end of 2026, aiming to produce 200 megawatts of electricity - enough for roughly 37,000 homes.
• These new initiatives mean that about 17% of JEA’s power will be generated without fossil fuels, helping position the city to achieve a 35% clean energy mix by 2030 (covering both solar and nuclear sources), according to detailed coverage here.
• Tech economy growth supports these energy needs, as eight local data centers and infrastructure projects like Project Orchid increase urgency for balancing reliability and sustainability - learn more about the data center landscape.
• As demands continue to rise, Jacksonville exemplifies how cities adapt to digital infrastructure needs, with debates over solar, natural gas, and nuclear among leaders and advocates (see further industry insights).

Key Factor	Impact	Stakeholder
High-density Data Centers	Drives large increases in electricity demand	Michael Brown
JEA's Solar Agreements	Adds clean power, supports emission targets	Sarah Williams
Infrastructure Projects	Boosts regional tech economy and power needs	James Wilson

"Jacksonville is a key example of how cities are adapting to new digital infrastructure needs, with leaders, utilities, and climate advocates debating the right mix of solar, natural gas, and nuclear as data demands continue their rapid rise."

As global tech tensions continue to rise in 2025, Jacksonville is proactively syncing with state and national moves to reduce reliance on Chinese technology, adjusting strategies as the landscape rapidly changes.

New federal and executive actions have strengthened restrictions on sourcing tech from China, a trend mirrored in Florida’s legislation. State lawmakers have introduced measures broadly limiting contracts and access, not just for software and hardware, but also for companies deemed "foreign principals" from countries of concern - including China, Russia, and Iran.

Under current and pending Florida laws, public entities must identify, audit, and disclose the country of origin for tech purchases, ensure that software for critical infrastructure is not produced by adversarial nations, and certify that products like routers and cameras are not from restricted vendors, reflecting the state’s emphasis on data sovereignty and infrastructure security (see details on pending Florida legislation).

These efforts align with a surge in anti-China proposals nationwide, with at least 240 such bills introduced by U.S. states in 2025, ranging from bans on procurement of Chinese tech to restrictions on investment and even municipal relationships (learn more about national anti-China measures).

Jacksonville’s local government has formed an oversight task force to review procurement and compliance, closely monitoring vendors and requiring mandatory audits for all tech infrastructure.

According to recent guidance, these local steps are also intended to meet new federal regulations, such as the Treasury’s outbound investment restrictions, which prohibit or require disclosure for investments in Chinese AI, semiconductor, and quantum sectors (read about the federal investment rule changes).

With contract review times increasing and startup funding sources shifting, Jacksonville is focused on balancing tech growth with security, keeping in step with broader state and federal priorities while supporting its innovation community.

• State Legislation: Florida is intensifying technology restrictions to limit contracts and access for companies tied to countries of concern.
• Compliance Requirements: Public entities must audit and disclose the origin of tech purchases and ensure critical software isn't sourced from adversarial nations.
• National Trends: At least 240 anti-China proposals have been introduced across the U.S. in 2025 impacting procurement and investments.
• Local Oversight: Jacksonville has established an oversight task force to review procurement and monitor vendors within the city.
• Federal Regulation Alignment: Local actions are designed to comply with federal outbound investment restrictions affecting Chinese AI, semiconductor, and quantum technology sectors.
• Impact on Business: Contract reviews take longer, and startup funding sources are shifting as Jacksonville adapts to security-focused priorities.

"By working proactively, Jacksonville is making sure it safeguards its tech infrastructure while remaining an attractive hub for innovation," noted Christopher Lopez, local tech policy analyst.

Area of Action	Key Measures	Primary Impact
State Law	Restrict contracts with foreign principals	Limits exposure to foreign technology
Local Oversight	Vendor monitoring and audits	Ensures compliance and security
Federal Compliance	Outbound investment restrictions	Shifts investment strategies

Jacksonville’s growth as a center for tech and sports talent continues to gain traction in 2025, making headlines with local athletes who are stepping into larger arenas.

Most notably, Jacksonville-native Melian Martinez signed with Louisiana Tech Men's Basketball after transferring from New Mexico Junior College, a move that highlights the city's expanding reach in NCAA Division I athletics.

Martinez, a 7-foot center, played for North Florida Educational Institute in Jacksonville before his collegiate career and was known for his shot-blocking and rebounding, earning recognition by helping his high school to a state Final Four appearance (source).

Despite battling injuries last season, he appeared in 23 games and averaged 3.0 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game, maintaining a high field goal percentage of 59.5% (Louisiana Tech announcement).

• Expanding reach: Jacksonville athletes like Melian Martinez are increasingly entering Division I programs, showcasing the city's growing athletic reputation and influence.
• Consistent performance: Despite injuries, Martinez contributed significantly in his games, displaying resilience and skill on the court.
• Ongoing trend: More Jacksonville-area athletes are moving to D1 collegiate teams as shown in the National Signing Day reports (complete list), reflecting the city’s athletic development.
• City’s hosting role: High-profile events like the SouthEastern Lacrosse Conference championship - featuring teams such as Georgia Tech - help to raise Jacksonville’s profile as a sports destination.
• Tech-powered events: Technologies including smart ticketing and enhanced live-streaming are now standard at local events, making the fan and athlete experiences more dynamic and competitive.

The blend of homegrown success stories and tech-driven event experiences suggests that Jacksonville is positioned at the intersection of athletic achievement and digital innovation.

Jacksonville’s rapid ascent as a Southeast tech hub in 2025 is underscored by impressive job creation and targeted growth across multiple sectors. The city is riding a projected 3–4.5% annual tech growth rate over the next five years, with over 21,490 tech professionals already working locally and anticipated gains in fintech, healthcare tech, aviation, and logistics.

Economic analysis points to a $2.6 billion tech sector impact and 15,000 tech jobs created in the last decade. Initiatives like the autonomous shuttle fleet launch with JTA and Holon, and strategic partnerships with Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), are expected to sustain this growth and create even more high-paying positions - such as the recently announced 500 tech jobs from ICE’s expansion, each averaging $100,000 annually (latest Jacksonville tech news).

Key local victories range from the aviation sector’s new hypersonic testing facility at Cecil Airport, which is injecting high-skill jobs into the region, to the WalletHub ranking that now puts Jacksonville as the nation’s fourth-best city for startups (economic growth in Jacksonville).

The city’s economic diversity, spanning advanced manufacturing, finance, IT, and life sciences, drives resilience and opportunity even as skill gaps are reported by 65% of employers.

To support talent development, partnerships with local universities, expanded cybersecurity programs, and quarterly Tech Talent Fairs have helped boost tech sector hires by 23% year-over-year.

Fast-growing logistics and distribution operations - bolstered by JAXPORT’s ongoing transformation - are empowering both industry and workforce alike (targeted industries in Jacksonville).

• Main idea: Jacksonville’s job market is rapidly expanding because of tech sector growth and infrastructure projects.
  Summary: John Lopez highlights the city’s tech workforce and the positive effects of new corporate partnerships.
• Main idea: Diversified opportunities across sectors create resilience, despite reported skill gaps.
  Summary: Joseph Williams reports that employer partnerships and expanded training have improved tech hiring rates.
• Main idea: National and global trends are met with local adaptation and innovation.
  Summary: Robert Anderson notes Jacksonville’s strong blueprint for collaboration and upskilling to boost inclusivity and growth.

Facing national and global shifts, including debates over AI policy and clean energy, Jacksonville demonstrates resilience and adaptability by aligning innovation with practical workforce programs and community engagement.

Whether you’re a student exploring STEM, a professional seeking new opportunities, or a founder ready to launch a venture, Jacksonville’s blueprint is built on collaboration, practical upskilling, and inclusive growth - making now an ideal time to get involved in shaping the city’s tech future.