Plug In Orlando! Mobility & Transportation Innovation
Plug In Orlando! Presentation, Pitches & Pizza
Join us for this monthly series powered by Plug and Play Orlando that brings together innovators, founders, academics, and investors shaping the future of Florida's innovation ecosystem. Each month welcomes a lineup of industry leaders and change-makers driving Orlando's Smart City transformation.
You'll also experience three rapid-fire startup pitches from founders applying cutting-edge technologies to urban innovation. Interested in pitching? Complete the Plug In Orlando Pitch Application here. Applications are reviewed monthly and selected startups are notified via email.
May Theme: Mobility & Transportation Innovation
Guest Panelists: Racquel Asa, Central Florida Expressway Authority · Natalia Barbour, MetroPlan Orlando · Mark Reid, beep
Central Florida is at the center of one of the most ambitious transportation transformations in the nation. A $4.2 billion plan for our region's expressways, the region's first fully autonomous public transit deployments, a freshly adopted 2050 Metropolitan Transportation Plan, and rapid population growth — all colliding at once. How do infrastructure agencies, regional planners, and autonomous vehicle operators work together to move 4.5 million people (and counting) safely, equitably, and efficiently?
This panel brings together three leaders who are building, planning, and operating the mobility systems Central Florida will rely on for the next 25 years. Whether you're a founder, investor, city official, or curious community member, you'll leave with a clearer picture of where the region's transportation future is headed and where the opportunities for innovation are.
Pizza, networking, and inspiration are all on the menu! Connect with founders, corporate innovation leaders, investors, and ecosystem partners as we continue growing this gathering of ideas and impact.
Agenda
4:00 PM
Check-in & Networking
Grab a slice, connect with fellow innovators, and settle in.
4:25 PM
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Hosted by Plug and Play Smart Cities Orlando, setting the stage for tonight's conversation.
4:30 PM
Panel Discussion: Mobility & Transportation Innovation
Racquel Asa (CFX), Natalia Barbour (MetroPlan Orlando), and Mark Reid (BEEP) share insights on infrastructure investment, regional planning, and autonomous transit followed by open audience Q&A.
4:55 PM
Audience Q&A
Your chance to go deeper with the panelists.
5:10 PM
10-Minute Break
Refuel, reconnect, and reset.
5:20 PM
(3) Rapid-Fire Startup Pitches + Audience Q&A
Three founders tackle real mobility and smart city challenges with emerging technology.
5:50 PM
Community Announcements & Closing Networking
Share what's happening in the ecosystem: funding opportunities, events, open roles, and more.
6:00 PM
Wrap-Up
Take any leftover pizza — you've earned it!
Meet the Speakers
Racquel Asa, Sr. Dir. External Affairs
Central Florida Expressway Authority
CFXWAY.COM
CFX Central Florida's regional expressway agency managing 125 centerline miles of expressways across five counties, serving 3.5 million residents and nearly 80 million annual visitors. With a $4.2 billion Five-Year Work Plan (2026–2030) underway, including four new corridors, award-winning Flex Lanes technology, and a systemwide wrong-way driving detection network, CFX is one of Florida's most active transportation innovators.
Natalia Barbour, Senior Transportations Planner
MetroPlan Orlando
METROPLANORLANDO.GOV
MetroPlan Orlando is the federally designated Metropolitan Planning Organization for Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties, responsible for coordinating transportation investments 25 years into the future. Their newly adopted 2050 Metropolitan Transportation Plan passed unanimously in December 2025 alongside their Vision Zero Safety Action Plan and e-micromobility initiatives make them a cornerstone of regional mobility equity and safety strategy.
Mark Reid, Cofounder & SVP
beep
RIDEBEEP.COM
BEEP is the nation's leading deployer of autonomous shared mobility solutions, headquartered in Lake Nona, Florida. The company operates the largest and longest-running autonomous shuttle network in the U.S. and recently launched NAVI, the nation's first fully autonomous public transportation system, with the Jacksonville Transportation Authority. In 2026, BEEP is expanding CraneRIDES in Altamonte Springs to connect to SunRail, and deploying AV services for the FIFA World Cup in Atlanta.
Admission: Free | RSVP required
Parking: Parking Garage D recommended, parking pass required https://parking.ucf.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/09/ParkingGuide10.25Online.pdf