Building Companies, Changing Lives
Issue 32- August 2015
peerfit Receives Institute Funding
The Institute has finalized a funding agreement with peerfit, a Tampa-based company that is developing a personalized wellness platform that provides consumers with an easy, flexible way to build their own premium fitness experience.
Peerfit provides personalization of the wellness experience through a streamlined flexible platform tailored to the exploding wellness market. With technology licensed from the University of Florida, peerfit’s unique platform acts as a single bucket where consumers, employers, health insurance providers, and family members can combine dollars so that each member can personalize their experience with a digital currency to meet their own goals and objectives. Peerfit offers monthly subscription membership for consumers, where they can use their credits to purchase classes within their own city or on-the-go at the best market member rate.
Florida Institute Delivers Patent Pro Bono Program “Lunch and Learn”
Program Manager Courtney Caliendo, Esq. (pictured above) led a "Lunch and Learn” session at the Florida Innovation Hub at the University of Florida to inform individuals and small businesses about the patent process and assistance available to qualified inventors and small businesses through the Florida Patent Pro Bono Program. The program is offered by the Institute in collaboration with the US Patent and Trademark Office, and has now been in all 50 states. Approximately 30 people, including startup companies, mentors and patent attorneys, attended the session.
NewSci Raises $500,000 Seed Round
NewSci, LLC, a leading provider of Insight-as-a-Service to the education, healthcare, and social sectors, announced the successful close of its seed round totaling $500,000 led by members of the Florida Angel Nexus in Tallahassee and Orlando. The company will use the funds to build its sales team and to expand its work with IBM Watson™ cognitive applications.
NewSci, a Findability Sciences Group Company, provides an intelligent platform combining Big Data and cognitive computing technology. Since its founding in late 2013, NewSci has worked with major universities, healthcare systems and non-profits including Lehigh University, Mercy Health and United Way agencies across the country.
Keynote Speaker Announced for the 2015 BioFlorida Annual Conference
BioFlorida will hold its Annual Conference from October 11- 13, 2015 at the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate, 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. This year’s keynote speaker is Maurice Ferré, MD, who co-founded Davie-based MAKO Surgical, which was bought by Stryker for $1.65 billion in 2013. A successful serial entrepreneur, Dr. Ferre’ focuses on exponential changes in the medical technology sector and serves as the Executive Chairman of INSIGHTEC.
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, the BioPitch application, and event registration may be viewed here.
Don’t Miss GrowFL Florida Companies to Watch
November 5, 2015
Presented by GrowFL, the Florida Economic Gardening Institute, in association with the Edward Lowe Foundation, Florida Companies to Watch (FLCTW) celebrates growing second-stage companies headquartered in Florida. Companies to Watch is a unique way to recognize and honor second-stage companies that demonstrate high performance in the marketplace with innovative strategies and processes, making them “worth watching.” This year’s celebration will take place at the Hard Rock Live in CityWalk, Orlando. More details and event registration may be viewed here.
Save the Date for UF Celebration of Innovation
March 8, 2016
The University of Florida will hold its tenth annual startup showcase, “A Celebration of Innovation” on March 8th at the Hilton University of Florida Hotel and Conference Center. The showcase offers a unique opportunity to see startup companies commercializing the latest life science, medical device, and cutting-edge technologies generated as a result of the more than $700 million research conducted at UF. The University has earned a reputation as a leader in commercializing discoveries that cure diseases, create jobs and make the world a better place. UF consistently ranks among the top universities for startup launches and licensing, and in the past 12 years, the Office of Technology Licensing has launched 157 biomedical and technology startups, generating more than $1 billion in private investment. More details and event registration may be viewed here.
Startup Quest® Orlando Launches
Startup Quest is a 10-week entrepreneurial training program that pairs unemployed and underemployed professionals with yet-to-be commercialized technology and experienced entrepreneurs to learn how to develop business plans, pitch to investors and build successful companies. The program has expanded to the Orlando area in partnership with the University of Central Florida, making it one of nine regions to offer the program.
Regional Program Managers across the state are seeking mentors, judges and other program participants who wish to be involved in upcoming sessions. For more information contact Stephanie George at
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.