Jason Eichenholz ’95MS ’98PhD turns thoughts into action, no matter how big they are or how many he has. Since dissecting TVs as a kid, Eichenholz has developed new technology for medical diagnostics, self-driving cars and telecommunications in the era of artificial intelligence. He credits UCF for showing him how to merge entrepreneurship with the commercialization of technology.
“I can confidently say it’s been the perfect fit for my career,” says Eichenholz , a College of Optics and Photonics alum.
Lately, Eichenholz has channeled much of his entrepreneurial energy into something very close to home. He calls it Techtonic, and it’s a culmination of everything he values most: family, service, inventiveness and lessons learned as a father.
“I’ve had a chance to step back, gain perspective, and build something to truly help families facing the same struggles I once did,” he says.
The mention of struggles provides insight into his mind, which is one filled with as much empathy as ingenuity. To comprehend, it’s best to ask a few questions and let the man share his thoughts, starting with his next innovative idea-turned-innovative enterprise.
Of all the inventions you’ve been a part of, why is Techtonic so important to you?
The inspiration comes from my adult son, Jonathan. When he was a child, we found out he’s on the autism spectrum. Over the years, he’s broken more devices than I can count — we were regulars at iFixYouri. But what stood out to me was Jonathan’s natural ability with technology. No one can complete a software update faster than him. Being a tech enthusiast, I saw this as an opportunity to make a meaningful impact. Everyone has a device and the industry can’t keep up with the demand for repair technicians. At the same time, up to 85% of adults with autism and a college degree are underemployed (according to the Autism Society of America). Given the right training and support, they can help fill the gap. Everybody wins.
This sounds like more than a business concept.
It’s about more than jobs, too. Yes, we can provide employment to fit the strengths of individuals with autism, but Techtonic also builds their pride through meaningful work. What you have then is an overlooked workforce earning paychecks and solving a growing problem in the tech industry. But most importantly, Techtonic challenges the norm.
What norm are you referring to, and why are you the person to challenge it?
In our society, we ask neurodiverse individuals to adapt to a world that is not designed for them. We set up accommodations in hopes we can get them to “fit in.” Techtonic builds pathways into meaningful careers so these people are genuinely valued and embraced.
Why am I the guy to challenge the norm? Because I’ve lived this journey. I’m a parent who has experienced the gaps, questions and fears of what comes next for my child. I’ve seen firsthand how much untapped potential exists and how much better our world could be if we just shifted our perspective.
You say you’ve lived this journey. What do we not know about you whenever we read about your accomplishments in technology?
There was a time in my life when everything felt uncertain. I was raising two children, one with special needs. At times, I was struggling financially, trying to make it as an entrepreneur. I was running a startup, sometimes wondering if we’d be able to make payroll and how I’d be able to manage the co-pays for Jonathan’s therapy. Every night, as I lay in bed, one question consumed me: What’s going to happen to my son after I’m gone?
Then Luminar — a company I helped create that develops LiDAR technology for autonomous vehicles — went public on NASDAQ and suddenly I had the means to secure my family’s future. But I also knew the same questions that kept me awake at night were keeping countless other parents awake. So I saw my new financial security as a means to create something more powerful: an opportunity to help alleviate the fear of those families with children on the spectrum. That opportunity became the next chapter in my life, and I dedicated all of my resources to it.
You dedicated all of your resources to one innovation?
I’m talking about my time, brainpower, social capital and network. I put all of it into architecting Jonathan’s Landing Foundation. When you go through life with a child who has autism or special needs, you eventually come to the “services cliff.” This is where your child ages out of traditional support systems, like tutoring and social programs. Families are left financially and emotionally depleted. They’ve drained their savings, spent retirement funds and exhausted every resource to make sure their child has had enough guidance to take each small step through life. And then the child reaches an age where the support stops. The world expects them somehow to just suddenly fit in, and the family is left staring into the abyss, asking, “What’s next?”
That’s why I started Jonathan’s Landing Foundation. The model is designed as the senior living and care model run in reverse. It’s a place where individuals on the spectrum feel connected instead of isolated and can progress toward the most independent living situation possible. I want it to be a comprehensive answer for families who don’t know where to turn next and don’t have the resources to navigate this alone.
All of this comes full circle, doesn’t it?
Techtonic and Jonathan’s Landing are where my entrepreneurial drive meets my personal mission. Any profits generated from Techtonic go directly back into Jonathan’s Landing Foundation to help reduce the cost of housing and services for individuals and families who need it most. My ultimate goal is to create the kind of sustainable ecosystem we’ve never had for individuals with autism and to see them thrive.
Recently, Techtonic launched its Million Device Drive. All donated devices will provide neurodiverse adults with hands-on training as part of Techtonic’s workforce development program. Profits from refurbished and resold devices will support costs for future residents of Jonathan’s .
We think of an innovator motivated by the future, but how motivating is your past?
I’m approaching all of this from an abundance mindset without forgetting the scarcity of my earlier years. Just being a father changed me, too. I have two amazing kids, Ella and Jonathan. When they were young, my job required nearly 150,000 miles of travel per year. I’ve always been go-go-go. I’m even a volunteer firefighter.
To be a present dad, I had to teach myself to be more patient, especially when Jonathan would struggle or get frustrated. Situations would escalate and I’d want to fix them as quickly as they started. Jonathan taught me why it’s important to pause, take a breath and reassess before moving forward with intention. I can honestly say Jonathan has made me a better father and a better leader.
From revolutionizing the automotive industry and scaling a company from two employees to over 1,000, to raising a billion dollars in capital, my personal mantra, “Why not change the world?” has consistently fueled my drive to think bigger. Today, I have the opportunity to channel that same passion and momentum into Techtonic and Jonathan’s Landing Foundation.
