Exciting News From The Florida Institute

Newsletters
|
Building Companies, Changing Lives

Issue 17- May 2014


 Angel Investor Seminar Series Kicks Off with Support from
Knight Foundation 
 
Events to Spark More Funding for South Florida Companies

The Florida Institute launched a program on April 17th to educate participants on the power of and promise of angel investing, with a focus on university-based startup companies. The “Doing Well While Doing Good” angel investor seminars are being sponsored by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and will spur local investment by educating participants on the angel investment process, highlighting innovative technologies and products that are truly improving and saving lives. The goal of the seminars is to educate investors about the rewarding opportunities that the local market holds, and planning for additional events is underway. View video here.

University-startup, AxoGen Inc. is one example of what is possible when research and angel investment meet. To hear a patient success story, please click here. 

 
Florida Venture Forum Early Stage Conference Set for May 15, 2014
 
Don’t miss the Florida Venture Forum’s 7th Annual Early Stage Conference and the 4th Annual Statewide Collegiate Business Plan Competition taking place on May 15th at the Reunion Resort in Orlando. Listen to some of the most dynamic early stage companies in Florida and participate in expert panel discussions while networking with potential investors and successful entrepreneurs. For more information or to register, please click here.


 
Second Round of Startup Quest™ Regional Sessions Wrapping Up 

During the months of April and May, five counties including Hillsborough, Volusia, Leon, Brevard and Broward held Pitch Competitions to select the top business plans and presentations developed in each region during the preceding weeks. Panels of judges made up of local business leaders ranked participating teams to determine the top performers. Additional teams from Alachua/Gainesville and Duval/Jacksonville will compete soon to showcase the results of their efforts and gain recognition for what they have learned and produced.

Following the final pitch sessions the Institute will work with each region to plan networking events and evaluate past sessions, recognize mentors and judges for their contributions to the program, revitalize community interest, and jumpstart mentor recruitment for the next sessions which begin in the late summer/early fall. Past session participants will also be offered an opportunity to enroll in GAIN’s Innovation Florida Crash Course which will provide additional support for budding entrepreneurs.

Florida Angel Nexus Seeks Executive Director
 
The Florida Angel Nexus (FAN) is a state-wide community of investors and investment groups with a mission to connect qualified companies with aggressive development plans to investors from the Florida community. Many members contribute time and experience as well as offer introductions to valuable contacts to help eliminate roadblocks to future growth. Group investments typically range from $50K to $500K, and FAN often co-invests with other partners to raise larger funding amounts.  FAN is currently seeking an Executive Director who will have overall strategic and operational responsibility for FAN’s staff, programs, expansion, and execution of its mission. Contact FAN to learn more about this exciting opportunity to help shape the investment landscape in Florida.
 

About Us

The Institute delivers company building and funding programs to facilitate new venture and job creation through commercially-viable technologies in major industries that are driving the global economy. In addition to providing company support services,  the Institute manages the Seed Capital Accelerator Program launched in 2011, and the Florida Technology Seed Capital Fund launched in 2013. For more information, visit www.florida-institute.com.