Building Companies, Changing Lives
Issue 33- September 2015
Two Companies Receive Institute Funding
The Institute has finalized first-round funding agreements with two companies.
Robotics Unlimited, Inc., a Pensacola-based company with technology licensed from the Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC) that specializes in bringing cutting edge robotics technology to the consumer marketplace; and
MYOLYN, a Gainesville-based company with technology licensed from the University of Florida that is applying recent advances in robotics, automation, and control theory to rehabilitation and therapy products for individuals with neurological disorders.
Spotlight on Institute Executive Council Members
The Institute would like to acknowledge
Diana LaTour and
Charlie Raffin for their time and dedication to helping Institute companies by serving as members of the Institute’s
Executive Council. Members of the Council are essential to the development of successful startup companies and management talent throughout Florida, and their service as board observers and mentors is invaluable. Comprised of experienced company executives and entrepreneurs with expertise across a broad range of industry sectors, members of the Council provide coaching and guidance in all aspects of growing an innovation-based business, and are integral to the Institute’s services delivery model.
Institute Engages Sellonomics to Support Portfolio Company Revenue Goals
As companies complete product development and begin to generate revenue and grow, they need effective sales and marketing strategies and plans that will take them to the next level. The Institute is working with Sellonomics Founder Rod Eichhorn, a sales executive with a 30-year track record of developing effective sales and business processes, who is helping high growth-potential companies design and execute plans that support their revenue and funding objectives. By helping companies heighten their sales performance, Rod is enabling them to shorten their sales processes and acquire key accounts to fuel growth. Services offered include business and marketing plan analysis and development, identification of improvement areas, and review of investor presentations to ensure successful fundraising outcomes. More information about Sellonomics may be viewed
here.
Don’t Miss the 2015 BioFlorida Annual Conference!
BioFlorida will hold its Annual Conference from October 11- 13, 2015 at the Omni Orlando Resort at Champions Gate, and registration is now open. The organization supports the largest and most prestigious life sciences community in the state, and conference attendees will connect with more than 500 life science professionals from Florida and throughout the country, including scientists, executives, investors, policy makers and service providers. The 2-day conference provides a comprehensive speaker lineup from all sectors of the life sciences including biotechnology,pharmaceutical, medical devices and bioagriculture, and this year will feature an enhanced
BioPitch presentation format where accepted companies will compete behind closed-door sessions, and finalists will present to a panel of judges later in the day. More details about the conference and event registration may be viewed
here.
Don’t Miss Florida Venture Forum Events
The Florida Venture Forum, Space Florida and Enterprise Development Corporation of South Florida will co-host the 2015 Emerging Technologies & Business Showcase on November 4, 2015 at the Hyatt Regency in Coral Gables. The showcase is a capital acceleration competition and business-networking event that features presentations by some of Florida’s most promising early and mid-stage companies, a keynote address by retired NASA astronaut Capt. Winston Scott, and an investor panel discussion. More details about the showcase and event registration may be viewed here.
Also join the Florida Venture Forum for their Venture Capital Bootcamps. This is a series of comprehensive sessions for professionals, investors, and entrepreneurs with panelists who will share their expertise on successful venture backed deals, details of a term sheet, deal structure, and due diligence. Sessions are being held in Tampa on September 29 and Orlando on October 15. More details and event registration may be viewed here.
Startup Quest® Sessions Wrap Up Throughout Florida
Several regions across the state will be concluding their Startup Quest program sessions in the coming weeks. Many regions offered the 10-week entrepreneurial training program multiple times over a three year period to meet the demand for this unique program that pairs unemployed and underemployed professionals with yet-to-be commercialized technology and experienced entrepreneurs to develop business plans, pitch to investors and learn how to build successful companies.
The pilot program began in 2011 as a collaborative effort between CareerSource North Central Florida, the University of Florida, Office of Technology Licensing, the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce, and a group of investors who served as mentors. The successful pilot attracted 83 participants and led to a $12 million grant through the U.S. Department of Labor Workforce Innovation Fund to expand the program across seven additional regions. Most recently the program launched in Orlando, bringing the total number of participating regions to nine. To date, more than 1,500 Floridians have completed the program, with 959 newly employed and 185 starting their own businesses.
Plans are underway for further program expansion, and more information may be viewed here.
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.
