Across Gainesville and North Central Florida, something meaningful is happening. People from every corner of the community are beginning to show up again. After years of isolation and digital-first interaction, there is a renewed energy around gathering in person and building real relationships.

For the startup and entrepreneurial ecosystem, this resurgence includes not only those who live and work in Gainesville, but also the growing number of tech professionals who call North Central Florida home while working for companies based across the country and around the world. These remote workers are deeply connected to global industries, yet increasingly eager to find local community, shared identity, and a sense of belonging close to home.

As in-person events return and long-standing programs are revitalized, they are attracting a more diverse and distributed audience than ever before. What once served primarily founders and early-stage startups now also resonates with remote engineers, product managers, designers, and operators who want to engage locally, contribute their experience, and feel part of a broader innovation community.

This renewed participation reflects a broader shift: while technology has made it possible to work from anywhere, it has also reminded us how essential face-to-face connection truly is. As people begin to crave community again, Gainesville’s entrepreneurial ecosystem is finding new momentum built not just on startups, but on shared experiences, collaboration, and a growing sense that this is a place worth investing in together.

Organizations like startGNV play a central role in this revival. Through startGNV’s programming, connection are fostered between all facets of the startup and entrepreneurial ecosystem, often acting as a bridge between tech talent, founders, community stakeholders and investors.

That sense of connection extends beyond startups alone. Greater Gainesville Young Professionals (GGYP) offers monthly opportunities for emerging leaders to build relationships across industries, helping young professionals put down roots and see Gainesville as a place to grow, not just pass through. For many remote workers new to the area, these events provide a first entry point into the local professional community.

Equally important is the role of inclusive, mission-driven groups like Women in Tech & Entrepreneurship Gainesville (WTE Gainesville Chapter). Through monthly meetups and conversations, WTE creates welcoming environments where women in tech and entrepreneurship can find mentorship, peer support, and visibility in a field that has historically lacked representation.

Then there’s OneSixOne Startup Hour, a long-standing tradition that captures the spirit of Gainesville’s startup culture. Its informal happy-hour format and rapid-fire founder pitches lower barriers to entry, making it easy for newcomers and existing community members to plug into the ecosystem and immediately feel part of something larger.

Together, these recurring events form the heartbeat of Gainesville’s tech community. They reflect a broader truth: while technology enables us to work from anywhere, community still happens face to face. As people once again crave connection, Gainesville is proving that its entrepreneurial ecosystem is experiencing a resurgence.

Editor’s note: This is the latest in a series of business columns called “Good in Gainesville” sponsored by Pavlov Media.