U News | Georgia Tech reimagining uses for The Biltmore, once a hotel
Arizona State University has announced the McKenna Life Sciences, Business and Entrepreneurship Program.
From the Georgia Institute of Technology:
Georgia Tech is reimagining The Biltmore, once a vibrant hotel, as the latest engine of innovation in Tech Square, launching a bold new chapter for one of Atlanta’s most historic landmarks. As part of an ambitious effort to make Atlanta a top-five U.S. tech hub, Georgia Tech is transforming The Biltmore into a vibrant center for launching, scaling, and accelerating start-ups in the heart of Midtown.
“This is more than a building — it’s a launchpad for Atlanta’s future,” said Georgia Tech President Ángel Cabrera. “At The Biltmore, we’re not just reinvigorating a landmark, we are creating space for more start-ups, more opportunity, and more innovation that moves Atlanta forward.”
Built in 1924 and marking its centennial last year, The Biltmore has long stood as a symbol of Atlanta’s growth, once serving as a central point for the city’s business and social life. Now, it begins its next century as a future-looking hub for entrepreneurship, where founders, researchers, investors, and industry leaders can collaborate to launch world-changing ventures.
Previously acquired by the Georgia Tech Foundation, The Biltmore sits in the heart of Tech Square, a 2.5-million-square-foot innovation district.
From the University of South Florida:
The Center for Cybersecurity at the University of South Florida, commonly known as Cyber Florida, and Idaho National Laboratory (INL) have agreed to collaborate on critical infrastructure cyber mitigation and workforce development. The two signed a memorandum of understanding to formalize the collaboration in late April, but it was just announced.
One of INL’s primary focus areas is securing the nation’s critical infrastructure, while Cyber Florida positions Florida as a national leader in cybersecurity through education, research, and outreach.
This agreement allows the state to use INL’s world-class critical infrastructure resiliency and cybersecurity capabilities focused on enhancing local, state, and national preparedness in alignment with the Trump administration’s executive order titled, “Achieving Efficiency Through State and Local Preparedness.” The collaboration will focus on cybersecurity risk mitigation, operational technology and industrial control systems, defense industrial base sector cyber risk, workforce development, and more.
“Cyber Florida is committed to fostering innovation and developing the next generation of cybersecurity professionals,” said retired Marine Corps Gen. Frank McKenzie, Executive Director of Cyber Florida. “This partnership with the Idaho National Laboratory underscores our shared dedication to strengthening our nation’s critical infrastructure and advancing the workforce needed to meet emerging cyber threats. Together, we are preparing for the future of cybersecurity in both the public and private sectors.”
From the Virginia Institute of Technology:
DC Inno reports that Virginia Tech last week unveiled the Institute for Advanced Computing at its Potomac Yard campus to offer academic and research opportunities in AI and quantum computing — and it’s looking for more companies to work with.
At buildout, the institute will employ 50 full-time faculty members and occupy about a third of Virginia Tech’s Academic Building One, a $302 million, 300,000-square-foot facility in Alexandria that opened in January. That’s all somewhat subject to grant funding, enrollment, and the total number of partnerships, according to Kirk Cameron, Professor of Computer Science at Virginia Tech and Interim Director of the institute.
From the University of South Carolina:
The Kennedy Pharmacy Innovation Center at the University of South Carolina continues to focus on its goal of nurturing pharmacy entrepreneurship, sponsoring the college-wide business plan competition. The event, combined with an entrepreneurship dinner, brought together more than 30 attendees including students, faculty, and independent pharmacy owners.
Peak Pharmacy, developed by second-year pharmacy students Emily Fisher, Charlize Johnson, and Samantha Shilhavy, won the competition, each receiving a $1,500 scholarship.
“What I love most about independent pharmacy is the ability to care for patients as individuals with unique goals, and I truly believe we capture that through this plan,” said Fisher, who gained practical experience working at a local independent pharmacy following her first competition.
The Peak Pharmacy team moves on to compete at the Good Neighbor Pharmacy NCPA Pruitt-Schutte Student Business Plan Competition. The top three teams will be named in July.
From Arizona State University:
Arizona State University (ASU) has announced the McKenna Life Sciences, Business and Entrepreneurship Program (MLSBE), a bold, interdisciplinary experience launching in fall 2026 and designed for students who want to lead the future of health care innovation.
Established through a generous gift from ASU alumni Mark and Sheri McKenna, the program reflects the couple’s shared commitment to advancing innovation in health care. Both are graduates of the W. P. Carey School of Business Class of 2002 — Mark in marketing and Sheri in finance and marketing.
The McKennas’ gift will equip students with the interdisciplinary tools, experiences, and networks needed to lead the future of health care, which combines academic excellence with real-world experience and industry access.
Students earn two bachelor’s degrees — one in finance and one in a natural science discipline, choosing from biological sciences (biomedical sciences), data science, biochemistry (medicinal chemistry), biochemistry, or neuroscience — plus a certificate in entrepreneurship and innovation, all within four years.
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