Early-stage capital is important fuel for economic growth and the key to creating and expanding new businesses and technologies. Enterprise Florida supports the development and execution of the Florida Opportunity Fund, which aims to increase the amount of early-stage seed and venture capital investment into the state.

In 2007, the Governor signed into law a bill that created the Florida Opportunity Fund, Institute for the Commercialization of Public Research, and the State University Research Commercialization Assistance Grant Program:

• The Florida Opportunity Fund invests in seed capital and early stage venture capital fund. The investments will not be made in individual businesses, but will consist of partnerships with private venture capital funds (the “funds-of-funds” approach). The Florida Opportunity Fund will offer increased availability of seed capital as the Fund grows.
• The Institute for the Commercialization of Public Research serves as a clearinghouse for research projects generated by universities and colleges, research institutes, and publicly supported organizations. The purpose of the institute is to assist in the commercialization of products by attracting private investment into projects generated in the state. 
• The State University Research Commercialization Assistance Grant Program assists state universities in the development and implementation of business plans to help commercialize a product.

These initiatives help Florida make greater advances toward attracting the venture capital that is the underpinning of business growth and innovation in knowledge-based economies. For more information about other funding options, please visit our Access to Capital page.