A few years back, I was talking with Florida Trend Magazine about innovation in our region. During that conversation, I described Tallahassee as ‘Silicon Tally,’ a phrase I think is worth bringing back.

The name came from the many impressive tech companies in our area, some of which have been around for decades. These include Hayes, Brandt, Mainline, DSR, VR Systems, RB Opps, Applied Fiber, Secure Records Solutions, Ruvos, Maglab, F4, Centralis, MCCI, Lobby Tools, and many others, including our own company, Aegis.

This month, I had Eddie Gonzalez Loumiet, Chair of Ruvos and the Tallahassee Chamber Board, on our podcast. He shared a story about talking with FSU President Richard McCullough and Ruben Melendez about the local tech scene.

Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce President Michael Dalby, the author and Eddie Gonzalez Loumiet.

When asked about the tech ecosystem, Eddie put together a list of about 60 members.

Taking his initiative further, Eddie helped establish Launched Tally, a group of technology companies representing the entire tech sector in North Florida. Building on this momentum, Eddie and the Tallahassee Chamber have now launched a new website: the Capital Region Business Concierge.

This site is a central hub for businesses looking to relocate to or expand in the area. It offers resources for staffing, construction, media, technology, and more.

Eddie volunteers his time and is a key force for energy, innovation, and growth in our region. If critics have concerns, I encourage them to think about how they can help our community move forward. Complaining online doesn’t count as a real contribution.

The Phusion Team attended the Leadership Tallahassee new class reception this week. Congratulations to Ja’Baree on joining Class 44.

Eddie is not the only one making a difference. New companies and ideas are popping up all over our region.

For example, Phusion AI has become a leader in AI.

Founded by Florida State University graduate Ja’Baree Allen, Phusion AI helps organizations use artificial intelligence to improve efficiency, grow their business, and transform digitally. Their ongoing success shows the growing opportunities for entrepreneurs and innovators in Tallahassee. They recently announced partnerships with Anthropic and Keragon, which will give their clients even more options.

I talked with Jim Hunt and Allen, who said: “These partnerships validate the work our team has been building in Tallahassee. We’re proving that world-class AI innovation can be developed right here in North Florida while helping organizations solve real business challenges.”

If you call the Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce, you can try out their AI voice assistant, Aimee, who will answer your questions about our region. I saw the Phusion team demonstrate this technology live at a conference. Great job, team.

Another standout company is Delilah, led by Joseph Visconti. Their app makes politics easier to understand by breaking down legislation and bills into simple language. They are getting noticed everywhere, from the White House to our local community.

Joseph and his team have done an outstanding job with their app, which you can download here.

Eddie shared his enthusiasm for our region: “I’ve never been more optimistic about the future of Florida’s Capital Region. We have incredible assets in our universities, healthcare systems, entrepreneurs, business community, and public sector partners. When you combine those strengths with emerging technologies like AI and a shared commitment to moving our community forward, you create the conditions for transformational growth and opportunity.”

When the daily routine feels overwhelming, I find energy in seeing leaders, startups, long-standing companies, volunteers, and educators all working to improve our region.

The Tallahassee Chamber, Florida Chamber, Launch Tally, Capital City Chamber, Domi Station, FSU, TCC, FAMU, and OEV are all helping to grow our tech sector in their own ways. Eddie, Joseph, Ja’Baree, thank you for your efforts.

Building something new, choosing positivity, and saying yes instead of no—why not Tallahassee, why not Florida? Innovation and technology are right here in Leon County. That’s what Silicon Tally is all about.