According to aPwC/NVCA MoneyTree™ Report based on data from Thomson Reuters, venture firms invested over $239 million in 36 Florida deals in 2008.
The venture capital and angel investments communities in Florida continues to grow and evolve. Most recently, Florida launched several capital formation initiatives intended to increase the amount of early-stage seed and venture capital investment into the state.
Over 270 venture capital deals have closed in the state since 2004, resulting in more than $2 billion in total venture capital spending. As more Florida-based success stories make the news, more venture capitalists realize the many opportunities that exist in the state. Many VC, angel and private equity firms are already in Florida, capitalizing on the innovative young businesses that abound here and helping them grow:
Select Florida Venture Capital and Angel Investment Firms
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• Advantage Capital Partners, Tampa
| • Inflexion Partners, Orlando |
• Antares Capital Corporation, Miami Lakes
| • LM Capital Securities, Inc., Boca Raton |
• Atlantic American Capital Advisors, LLC, Tampa
| • Lovett Miller & Co., Tampa |
• Ballast Point Ventures, L.P., St. Petersburg
| • MILCOM Venture Partners, Winter Park |
• Banyan Mezzanine Fund, L.P., Miami
| • MultiChannel Ventures, LLC, Orlando |
• C/Max Capital Corporation, Ft. Lauderdale
| • New River Capital Partners, Ft. Lauderdale |
• Chartwell Capital Investors, LP, Jacksonville
| • New World Angels, Boca Raton |
• Communications Equity Associates, Tampa
| • Quantum Capital Partners, Tampa |
• Crossbow Ventures , West Palm Beach
| • Rock Creek Capital, Jacksonville |
• Easton Hunt Capital Partners LP, Miami
| • SI Ventures, Ft. Myers |
• Emergent Growth Fund, Gainesville
| • Stellar Venture Partners, LLC, Naples |
• Florida Angel Investment Alliance, Jacksonville
| • Stonehenge Capital Corporation, Tampa |
• FloridaInvestmentNetwork.com, Orlando
| • Sunrock Ventures, Tampa/Miami |
• Grace Venture Partners, LP, Orlando
| • Springboard Capital, LLC, Jacksonville |
• Grotech Capital Group, Boca Raton
| • Start Up Florida, Sarasota |
• H.I.G. Capital, Miami | • Trivest Inc., Miami |
| • US Global, LLC, Ft. Lauderdale |
In addition, the Florida Opportunity Fund focuses on identifying and investing in a diversified, high-quality portfolio of seed and early stage venture capital funds that target in whole or in part opportunities within Florida.
The Florida Institute for the Commercialization of Public Research takes proven technologies from the universities and identifies funding and other resources required for commercial success.
The Florida Venture Forum can be a valuable resource for more information on contacting and attracting the interest of venture capital firms in the state.
Young high-tech companies may also seek federal SBIR/STTR grants. Enterprise Florida Inc.’s Phase 0 Pilot Program can increase their chances of developing successful proposals for such funding.
For more information about other funding options, please visit our Access to Capital page.