San Francisco has long been a hotspot for tech, but things are changing. High rents, rising housing costs, and growing quality-of-life concerns are pushing startups to look elsewhere. Smaller companies with lean teams and limited budgets are seeking cities that offer better value, and a better lifestyle.
One AI startup in Boca Innovation Campus just made that move, trading the Bay Area for Boca Raton. As the campus gains national attention, more tech firms are taking notice. This shift says a lot about where the future of innovation may be headed.
Meet the AI Startup in Boca Innovation Campus
One of the latest examples is EchoTwin AI, a five-person AI startup at the Boca Raton Innovation Campus that recently relocated from San Francisco. This marks the company's first physical office.
Founded by Chris Carson, EchoTwin AI focuses on infrastructure intelligence, using AI to help cities better manage their urban environments. Their tech turns everyday municipal vehicles like garbage trucks and street sweepers into mobile sensors, collecting valuable data to improve city operations.
So, why Boca Raton?
Carson cited affordability, lifestyle, and access to tech-friendly office space as key reasons. The startup signed a lease for 2,704 square feet at the Boca Raton Innovation Campus (BRiC), becoming part of a tech ecosystem that’s quickly expanding.
Boca Raton Innovation Campus is Booming
BRiC isn’t just another office park. It’s the largest office campus in Boca Raton, with 1.7 million square feet spread across 123 acres.
Originally an IBM research and development site, where the first personal computer was created, the campus is undergoing a $100 million capital improvement program. According to co-owner CP Group, the upgrades include:
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New dining options
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On-site coffee shops
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Wellness and fitness centers
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Modern event spaces
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Expanded parking
Earlier this year, the Boca Raton City Council approved rezoning plans that will turn BRiC into a full mixed-use district. What’s coming:
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1,243 residential units
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125,000 square feet of retail
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85,000 square feet of medical offices
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A 55,000-square-foot entertainment venue
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A 140-room boutique hotel
The vision? Turn the once-corporate campus into a place where people can live, work, and collaborate, all in one location.
Other New Tenants Joining Boca Innovation Campus
EchoTwin AI isn’t the only new arrival at BRiC, Cinch Home Services, a home warranty provider with around 200 employees, leased 32,888 square feet, while All Star Healthcare Solutions, a healthcare staffing firm relocating from Deerfield Beach, secured 42,697 square feet. Together, these three companies now occupy 78,000 square feet of newly leased space, highlighting the growing demand at the Boca Raton Innovation Campus from a range of industries including AI, healthcare, and home services.
Long-Term Tenants Reinforce Boca’s Appeal In Boca Innovation Campus
While new tenants are making headlines, long-time occupants are doubling down on their commitment to BRiC. Modernizing Medicine, a healthcare tech firm, renewed its lease for 127,821 square feet; Everglades University extended its 52,582-square-foot campus; and Newtek, a financial services company, renewed 7,810 square feet. Altogether, these lease renewals total 188,000 square feet, reinforcing the Boca Raton Innovation Campus as not just a launchpad for new companies but a long-term home for established businesses.
FAQs About the AI Startup in Boca Innovation Campus
What is the Boca Raton Innovation Campus (BRiC)?
The Boca Raton Innovation Campus, commonly known as BRiC, is a 123-acre, 1.7 million-square-foot office and innovation hub. Originally built by IBM in the 1960s, BRiC is where the personal computer was invented. Today, it's undergoing a $100 million transformation to become a fully integrated mixed-use campus featuring retail, residential, hospitality, and wellness amenities alongside cutting-edge office space.
Why did the AI startup in Boca Innovation Campus leave San Francisco?
EchoTwin AI, a five-person artificial intelligence company, chose to relocate from San Francisco to Boca Raton due to soaring business costs, limited affordable office space, and growing concerns about quality of life in the Bay Area.
What does EchoTwin AI do?
EchoTwin AI is a startup focused on infrastructure intelligence. The company uses a proprietary visual AI platform that transforms municipal service vehicles, like garbage trucks and street sweepers, into mobile data sensors. These sensors collect valuable urban data that helps cities monitor, analyze, and optimize services like road maintenance, traffic patterns, and public safety.
Are other tech companies moving to Boca Raton?
Yes. Boca Raton is experiencing increased interest from companies across various industries. Alongside EchoTwin AI, Cinch Home Services, a home warranty provider with approximately 200 employees, and All Star Healthcare Solutions, a staffing firm relocating from Deerfield Beach, have also leased space at BRiC.
What future developments are planned for BRiC?
BRiC is undergoing a $100 million improvement plan that includes new restaurants, coffee shops, fitness centers, and event spaces. The city has also approved future residential units, retail space, medical offices, a hotel, and entertainment venues to create a full live-work-play environment.
Contact the Experts on Boca Raton Real Estate
Are you exploring opportunities in Boca Raton’s growing business landscape? Whether you’re relocating, investing, or expanding, The Mastropieri Group, Realtors can help you make the right move. Call us at (561) 544-7000 to connect with trusted Boca Raton real estate agents who know the market inside and out.
