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Issue 77 – April 2019
Institute-Funded Companies Continue to Deliver!
Initial Seed Funding Accelerates Product Development, Launch and Company Growth Companies such as FlexEngage, InteCrowd, Intelligent Retinal Imaging Systems, Peerfit,SharpSpring, TAO Connect, and many more continue to thrive as they raise significant capital, bring important, often life-saving products to market, create knowledge-based employment opportunities, and contribute to the vitality of Florida’s overall economy. The accomplishments achieved by Institute portfolio companies underscore the critical role that seed funds play in company development, most often leading to additional investment, and ultimately, products that solve important business and societal problems worldwide.
The investment-related affairs of the Institute are now managed by Florida Funders, and in order to receive funding, companies must secure matching funds from private, accredited investors. This model demonstrates the effectiveness of public/private partnerships, and their importance as key components of a diversified approach to innovation-based economic development. To date, the Institute has deployed approximately $24 million, and recipient companies have raised nearly $300 million, resulting in an overall economic impact of $1.4 billion statewide. More information about the portfolio of funded companies may be viewed here.  Adblock Recovery Leader Admiral Announces $5.1 Million Strategic Investment Gainesville - based Admiral announced recently that it raised over $5.1M, including participation by Admiral customer and strategic investor Capitol Broadcasting Company, as well as Mosley Ventures, New World Angels, Gulfshore Capital, Birchmere Ventures, and others.
Since its inception, Admiral has experienced rapid growth, helping more digital publishers worldwide size and solve adblock losses than anyone else. Through its Measure, Engage and Recover modules, Admiral helps publishers detect, engage, and build relationships with their adblocking visitors to unlock revenue via whitelisting, and consent-based ad experiences, with additional modules that allow publishers to optimize Average Revenue Per User (ARPU). More information about Admiral may be viewed here.  Aviana Molecular Technologies Featured in Forbes Magazine
Aviana is an Orlando - based point-of-care (POC) diagnostic company developing a miniaturized biosensor capable of attaching to a smartphone/smart device through Bluetooth or other wireless connections. The company’s diagnostic system is a simple-to-use, potentially highly sensitive diagnostic platform that can accurately detect a target infectious disease, biomarkers or proteins in both clinical and scientific research settings. Aviana’s biosensor platform uses the latest developments in cellular communications, semiconductor electronics, micro-fluidics and manufacturing methods to create its unique point-of-care diagnostic (POC) platform. More information about the company may be viewed here, and the full article on Forbes.com may be viewed here.
TEDx Boca Raton Salon Features Walk Down Memory Lane
 Dr. David Bradley, Jane Teague, and Pete Martinez Dr. David Bradley was the featured speaker at the TEDx Boca Raton Salon held at the original IBM site where the Personal Computer was first created. In September of 1980, Dr. Bradley became one of the "original 12" engineers working on the IBM Personal Computer; and among his many achievements, he is the man behind the invention of “Control-Alt-Delete”. Pete Martinez, an executive with IBM for 32 years, also delivered remarks.
The 22nd Annual BioFlorida Conference will take place at the Tampa Marriott Water Street from October 20-22. This year’s conference will feature:
Early registration opens on May 1, and applications for BioPitch open on May 2. More information about BioFlorida and the Annual Conference may be viewed here.
The 2019 Early Stage Capital Conference is being held on May 9-10 at the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate in Orlando, Florida.
The Conference is one of the largest gatherings of angel and early stage investors in the state, and it features top speakers and high-quality presentations by some of Florida's fastest growing private companies. Also, hear pitches from students representing the top universities throughout the state as they compete to win the 2019 Statewide Collegiate Business Plan Competition. Space Florida will be contributing prize money again this year to selected entrepreneurs. More information about the conference may be viewed here. About Us
Formed by the Florida Legislature in 2007, the Institute for Commercialization of Florida Technology supports and funds innovation companies that create clean jobs in new industries that are driving the global economy. The Institute provides company building services, and seed funding through the Florida Technology Seed Capital Fund, to promising Florida startups that are developing products that improve and save lives, and help companies improve their bottom line. The Institute’s economic impact between 2011 and 2018 was $1.4 billion, with an annual return on investment of 31 times to the State of Florida.
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