Meet Top Clean Energy Leaders at Jacksonville TechFest, August 21-30

The Jacksonville TechFest is one of the most exciting and important clean energy events this year. Don’t miss it!

The Jacksonville TechFest is sponsored by Jax Tech, SourceFuse, Chang Robotics, JVC, Jax Chamber/Information Technology Council, and Infraguard Alliance.

The event will be held in various locations in Florida, August 21-30, 2024.

JVC’s Powering the Future, a Dynamic Event Focused on Electric Vehicles and Manufacturing

JVC’s Powering the Future is a highlight of the Jacksonville Tech Fest. It is a dynamic event focusing on electric vehicles and manufacturing. It will cover technology, government partnerships, American manufacturing, and innovations. The event features three individual high-impact speakers in Session A, followed by a panel discussion, and a larger panel in Session B. It concludes the two-day Society of Tech Explorers program. Attendees will receive exclusive insights and major announcements about electric vehicles and manufacturing impacting Jacksonville and beyond.

JVC’s Powering the Future is sponsored by Chang Robotics and the Jacksonville Transportation Authority.

SPEAKERS
Matthew Chang, Founder – Kodiak Tech, CoFounder and PE, Chang Robotics
Nat Ford, CEO – JTA
Jason Furr, Vice President – Roush
Craig Bowman, Director of Technology – Miller Electric
Mark Reid, SVP of Public Affairs – Beep
Andrew DiFeo, Managing Partner – Hyundai of St. Augustine
Alex Hansen, Director of Sales, USA – Holon

Jacksonville TechFest Schedule

August 21

Data Science for Social Good
4:30PM – 6:30PM EDT
WJCT Studio
Register here

August 26-27

Society of Tech Explorers
9AM – 8PM EDT
The Link, 425 Town Plaza Avenue Ponte, Vedra Beach, FL 32081
Register here

August 27

JVC: Powering the Future
1:00PM – 4:00PM EDT
The Link, 425 Town Plaza Avenue Ponte, Vedra Beach, FL 32081
Register here

August 28

Infraguard Alliance Lunch Meeting
11:30AM – 2:30PM EDT
FDLE Downtown Complex, FDLE Conference Center, Florida
Register here

August 28

Two Recruiters and a Microphone Live Recording with special guest: Andrew Rush
5:30PM – 8:00PM EDT
JTRC, 100 LaVilla Center Drive Jacksonville, FL 32204
Register here

August 29

Tech Coast Conference
8:00AM – 8:00PM EDT
University of North Florida
12000 Alumni Drive
Adam W. Herbert University Center
Jacksonville, FL 32224
Register here

August 30

JaxTech 8th Annual Summer Social: Celebration of Tech, Business, & Culture in Jax
4:00PM – 8:00PM
Surfer (The Bar)
Register here

The Society of Technology Explorers

The Society of Technology Explorers, a group of technologists, aims to push the boundaries of innovation and is part of the Jacksonville Tech Fest, an annual event in August that showcases local innovators. The Society of Technology Explorers Conference is brought to you in conjunction with Sapna Foundation and organized by the team at Two Recruiters and a Microphone.

Infraguard Alliance

InfraGard is a collaboration between the FBI and the private sector aimed at preventing hostile acts against the U.S. It includes members from businesses, academic institutions, law enforcement agencies, and other sectors. Each InfraGard Members Alliance (IMA) is connected with an FBI Field Office, offering stakeholders immediate access to law enforcement and other experts. The network facilitates information sharing to address threats to critical infrastructure and key resources.

Two Recruiters and a Microphone

“Two Recruiters and a Microphone” is a podcast created by Pete Cochrane and Israel Swanson. It focuses on exploring the personal passions and pursuits of executives, individual contributors, and early career professionals beyond their business roles. The podcast aims to provide insights and inspiration for those looking to advance their careers.

The Tech Coast Conference

The Tech Coast Conference serves as a platform for local businesses, IT decision makers, global technology innovators, and local talent to present and discuss advancements, opportunities, and solutions in technology. The Jacksonville Chamber IT Council highlights Jacksonville’s innovative culture, skilled talent, and growing IT sector, positioning the city as a vibrant hub for technology development and employment.

The Jacksonville Venture Competition (JVC)

The Jacksonville Venture Competition (JVC) is a great initiative to foster innovation and support startups in the region. It’s always beneficial for a city to have a strong startup ecosystem as it can drive economic growth and create opportunities for new businesses. JVC is making that happen in Jacksonville by supporting events such as the Jacksonville TechFest and much more.

Jacksonville Information Technology Council

The Jacksonville Information Technology Council (JITC) is a valuable platform for IT professionals and enthusiasts in the area. By fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing, JITC helps strengthen the local tech community and promotes growth and innovation. It brings together diverse stakeholders to advance technology and business interests.

8th Annual Summer Social – Celebration of Tech, Business, & Culture in Jax

You’re invited to Jacksonville’s largest networking event, the 8th Annual Summer Social at Jax Beach! This year’s event will take over Surfer the Bar for four hours of fun, networking, drinks, food, and an exploration of Augmented Reality.

Connect with local leaders and peers, celebrate the vibrant community, and enjoy surprises in music, interactive technology, and augmented/mixed reality experiences.

Engineering Expert Matthew Chang, PE and Chang Robotics

Matthew Chang, PE, is founder of Chang Robotics. JVC’s Powering the Future is sponsored in part by Chang Robotics. Chang is speaking at the event.

Chang Robotics is tackling modern-day challenges through their engineering and robotics expertise. Their team, comprising over 40 engineers and project managers, specializes in 8 different disciplines. This diverse expertise drives their innovative solutions in the field.

Chang Robotics, a division of Chang Industrial, is set to elevate its clients’ achievements in 2024 following a remarkable year. The company is advancing engineering projects that drive innovation for Fortune 500 clients and support sustainability goals for government clients, particularly in Florida, manufacturing, and healthcare sectors. Additionally, their recent expansion in North America includes the opening of the IP Studio in Evanston, Illinois, in June 2023.

Automation Leader Chang Industrial Announced the Snow Removal Industry’s First Hybrid Industrial Snowblower

In March 2024, EVinfo.net was proud to report Chang Industrial’s involvement in the launch of the snow removal industry’s first hybrid industrial snowblower. This significant sustainability milestone comes through a partnership with Kodiak Technologies and Roush. The hybrid snowblowers, set for release in 2025, will be deployed at airports. They promise lower operating costs and increased reliability, potentially transforming environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives in the industry. This historic achievement promises to have a tremendous positive impact in the global fight against climate change.

Innovative Breakthroughs by Chang Robotics Could End the Reign of “Forever Chemicals” in America’s Foods and Packaging

The growing awareness of “forever chemicals” and their potential risks is driving significant action. Microplastics and PFAs are persistent in the environment and can accumulate in our bodies, raising concerns about their long-term health impacts. Many governments and organizations are now pushing for stricter regulations and better safety standards to limit the use of these substances. This includes banning or reducing their presence in consumer products, improving waste management practices, and enhancing food safety measures. The aim is to mitigate exposure and protect public health and the environment from these harmful chemicals.

The breakthrough by Dr. Timothy Wei of Chang Robotics with graphene oxide is intriguing. Graphene oxide’s unique properties, such as its high surface area and reactivity, make it a promising material for a variety of applications, including environmental cleanup and food safety.

In the context of forever chemicals, graphene oxide could potentially be used to adsorb or degrade these persistent substances, effectively removing them from water, soil, or even food products. Its ability to bind with different molecules could help in filtering out harmful compounds or neutralizing them.

The launch of GOEco by Chang Robotics, in collaboration with Northwestern University’s INVO Lab, represents a significant advancement in green technology aimed at tackling the issue of “forever chemicals” in food packaging. GOEco uses compostable graphene oxide, a nanomaterial, to form protective barriers in paper products such as plates, straws, cups, and utensils.

This approach seeks to replace traditional plastic packaging, which often contains harmful microplastics and PFAs (poly-fluoroalkyl substances), with a safer, environmentally friendly alternative. The use of graphene oxide not only enhances the sustainability of these products but also ensures that they are more easily broken down in the environment, reducing pollution and the associated health risks. By eliminating harmful chemicals from packaging, GOEco helps safeguard consumer health and promotes a more sustainable future.