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Issue 84 – November 2019
  Leaders Convene at Florida Chamber Foundation Future of Florida Forum
The Florida Chamber Foundation’s 2019 Future of Florida Forum brought together Florida’s business leaders, industry experts and elected officials on October 28-29 to discuss the opportunities and challenges impacting Florida’s future between now and 2030.
Forum discussion topics included:
Prior to the Forum, the Florida Institute co-hosted the Florida 2030 Innovation Leadership Caucus to discuss key building blocks required to secure Florida's future through the accelerated growth of a diversified, innovation-based economy, with a focus on ensuring that Florida becomes the Top 3 state in venture capital investment, research and development funding, patents issued, and technology jobs, as outlined in the goals published in the Florida 2030 Blueprint for Success. More information about future events may be found here.
Six Florida Institute-Funded Companies Featured in The St. Pete Catalyst
Last month the Florida Institute announced the results of its recent Economic Impact Study conducted by the Washington Economics Group, Inc.®, which revealed that between 2011 -2019, the Institute delivered nearly $1.9 billion in economic impacts across the state. These results underscore the importance of seed funds to spur economic growth and prosperity, and six companies from the Tampa Bay area were then featured in the St. Pete Catalyst for their contributions to these results. The full article and more information may be viewed here.
 Gainesville-Based Admiral Named Most VC-Backable Startup at Venture Atlanta 2019
Admiral – The Visitor Relationship Management (VRM) Company funded by the Florida Institute in 2016, was named 2019 Most VC-Backable Startup by the Global Venture Capital Investment Competition (VCIC). The Global VCIC includes venture capitalists, student VC teams and fast growing startups in a one-of-a-kind venture pitch and due diligence competition to find the world’s top young venture capital talent and most VC-backable startups. Admiral’s VRM platform helps digital publishers grow visitor relationships and revenue in the face of ad blockers, privacy blockers, and new privacy regulations disrupting the traditional value exchange for online content. More information about Admiral may be found here.
 Gainesville-based Omninox Previews a Better Way to Write Questions
Omninox, developers of an educational software platform that reduces the time teachers spend on creating and grading assignments from hours to minutes while improving student outcomes, has unveiled a powerful tool that improves critical thinking and writing in online educational settings. The company was funded by the Florida Institute in 2016.
Dubbed Kapisce, the platform fills the gap in quality online essay questions by using an advanced tagging system that allows question writers such as teachers and publishers to align essay questions to any subject's curriculum. More information and a short video may be viewed here.  Don’t Miss IT Palooza on December 13th in Ft. Lauderdale IT Palooza, presented each year by the South Florida Technology Alliance, is the premier gathering of the South Florida tech ecosystem. Taking place at the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention Center, organizers expect 1500+ Attendees who will enjoy robust content, including:
Exhibition and sponsorship opportunities are available from $250-$10,000, and special Partner Discounts are available. More information may be found here.
 Register Today for the Florida Venture Forum's 29th Annual Conference
Applications to Present Now Being Accepted Don’t miss Florida's largest, statewide venture capital event, the 2020 Venture Capital Conference, which will be held at the JW Marriott Grande Lakes Resort in Orlando from January 30 - 31, 2020. The Annual Florida Venture Capital Conference™ is Florida’s most prominent, “Go To”, capital investment-centric event and gathering each year.
The Conference offers numerous networking opportunities, programming featuring top investors and deal makers active in the state, and showcases Florida’s most innovative and fast- growing later stage, private companies before an audience of venture capitalists, investors, and other service providers. Past Presenters have raised approximately $6 Billion in equity capital. Over 400 people attended the 2019 conference, including 200+ equity investors from across the U.S., Europe and Latin America, representing billions of dollars in deployable capital. Information about how to apply to present may be found 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 $1.9 billion, with an annual return on investment of over 31 times to the State of Florida.
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