Leonardo DiCaprio invested in THIS Orlando company

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We’re coming up on a loooooong weekend for 4th of July — and you know I already have Hamilton queued up on Disney+.

But before you snuggle up with some fireworks & Lin-Manuel…here’s what’s happening in the world of Orlando business.

📍 Keepin’ it Local 📍

Leonardo DiCaprio Invests in Orlando Company

Academy Award-winning actor Leonardo DiCaprio recently made a substantial pre-seed investment in Orlando-based geospatial data company Nuview. Their cutting-edge 3D imaging technology delivers vital datasets to climate scientists and policymakers.

The firm’s flagship project will be the world’s first commercial lidar (light detection and ranging) satellite constellation that is capable of mapping the entire surface of the Earth in record time. This geospatial intelligence is foundational data for a wide range of businesses and sustainability experts.

DiCaprio is known to have a diverse portfolio of investments that focus on environmental issues. Nationwide, pre-seed investments have been declining, but Orlando saw a 14% jump as the city continues to grow as a haven for high-tech industry.

Torchy’s Tacos to Take Over Prime Spot in Winter Garden

Austin-based cantina Torchy’s Tacos will continue its expansion into Florida, with locations already open in St. Pete and Altamonte Springs. Expect to see this boozy taqueria popping up soon in the Winter Garden Village, metro Orlando’s 4th largest retail center.

The space was previously anchored by a Red Robin restaurant, which closed this past April after litigation with Site Centers Corp. and its subsidiary DDR Winter Garden LLC, which owns the property.

Torchy’s menu combines Mexican-inspired favorites, breakfast items, and a full bar.

Immersive AI-Powered Art of the Future Exhibit Opens Today

Verse Orlando's Holographic Theater™, located in Lake Nona’s Boxi Park, will host a ribbon cutting ceremony today, June 29th to launch Art of the Future, “a celebration of augmented reality and artificial intelligence.”

Orlando is considered a global tech hub, home to lots of organizations leading the way in gaming, AR, AI, and spatial computing. The Orlando Economic Partnership and the Orlando Tech Community also played significant roles in the creation of this stunning experience.

Verse Orlando hopes local audiences will be blown away by the variety of interactive 3D and augmented reality activities.

🔥 Hot Take 🔥

This week’s spicy take comes directly from the episode we dropped a couple days ago on YouTube with Brandon Reed and Kenny Dyal 👇

The episode was about creating an exceptional customer experience…and it’s tough to talk about customer experience without mentioning Chick-Fil-A.

Kenny shocked us all when he mentioned that he thinks Wendy’s is BETTER than Chick-Fil-A.

Personally, I think Kenny is a heretic — but I can appreciate the boldness it takes to share a take as spicy as that one (even though it’s objectively FALSE 😂).

If you’re not already subscribed to Orlando Business on YouTube…do it. We’re handing out spicy takes like candy over there. ;)

🥳️ Have Some Fun 🥳

• If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to make your own charcuterie board…you are in luck my friend. Tomorrow, June 30 from 5:30-8:30pm, check out this charcuterie board workshop and mini artisan market. $75 for the workshop, but the artisan market is free.

• The Great American Block Party is back again at the Lake Nona Town Center this Saturday from 4-10pm. Live music, patriotic parachuters, stilt walkers, and a whole lot more.

• Hourglass Brewing is hosting their 4 year anniversary party — and it’s happening all weekend long. It starts Friday evening, and goes through brunch on Sunday. Check out all the details here.

That’s a wrap! If you liked this week’s newsletter, forward it to a friend 🙂

Have yourself a fan-freaking-tastic 4th of July! 🇺🇸🧨🍔️

James Carbary
Founder, Orlando Business