Growing the Tallahassee Entrepreneurial Ecosystem

Domi Station is excited to announce the appointment of Robert Blacklidge as the new Executive Director, and Laura Powers as the new Associate Director. Since its inception in 2014, Domi Station's member and supported companies have created over $109 million dollars in combined local economic impact, according to the Center for Economic Forecasting and Analysis Reports for the Office of Economic Vitality.

During Robert and Laura's time at Domi Station, the organization has built upon an already strong track record, achieving even greater successes. Its incubation programs now have 45 active entrepreneurs, a record number of cohort participants, and is maintaining Domi's core values of diversity and inclusion. The Tallahassee Mentor Network launched and supported by Domi Station, which assists Domi and the ecosystem partners, has further expanded with subject experts from a diverse pool of industries as the organization continues to grow its remote programs and resources. Domi has also been selected as a partner with several leading entrepreneurial organizations, including HubSpot for Startups and the Grow With Google programs.

Robert Blacklidge, who has been the Director of Entrepreneurship at Domi Station, will retain the role of helping entrepreneurs grow their companies in this new capacity. He is an educator, mentor, speaker, and ecosystem builder. His work building the Florida ecosystem throughout the state prior to coming to Domi has had, and continues to have, a significant impact in Tallahassee and beyond. Robert has worked to bring several international programs to Florida communities, including 1 Million Cups, Startup Grind, and Techstars Startup Week and Weekend.

'I am humbled to take on this new role, and it has been an honor to serve as part of the Domi Station team. Our mission is to empower a diverse group of entrepreneurs and that is what I am most passionate about. I love working each day to help our community grow and see entrepreneurs reach their full potential. I am looking forward to working with our team and community as the next Executive Director at Domi Station,' Robert Blacklidge said.

Laura Powers is an alumni of Florida State University's Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship. During her time at FSU, she founded two small businesses and focused on entrepreneurship and marketing. Most recently, she's held the role of Domi Station's Coworking Manager and the Director of Community. She helps facilitate a collaborative startup community while empowering entrepreneurs to grow their businesses by utilizing Domi's coworking facilities. Domi's board and members are excited to have Laura's continued involvement in the organization's growth in this increased leadership role.

Bill Lickson, Domi Station's current Executive Director, has accepted the position of Director of North Florida Innovation Labs. 'Domi Station is a special place and will continue to be the hub of our entrepreneurial ecosystem. We will collaborate with Domi and all of our great entrepreneurial ecosystem partners to maximize the economic impact of the amazing new asset for our region,' said Lickson.

'While we will miss Bill in his role as Executive Director at Domi Station, we are excited for him and the opportunity to launch North Florida Innovation Labs and its technology-based programs for entrepreneurs at Innovation Park. The new facility will clearly have huge economic impacts for our region,' said Yuh-Mei Hutt, Chair of Domi Station's Board of Directors. 'We look forward to collaborating closely with Bill and his team at North Florida Innovation Labs as one of our key entrepreneurial ecosystem partners. We are also looking forward to Bill's continued support of Domi's mission as a newly appointed member of the Domi Station's Board of Directors.'