Conference will feature Space Florida’s AeroTech Summit and the Florida Statewide Collegiate Startup Competition
MIAMI AND TAMPA, Fla.—March 14, 2024— Florida Venture Forum, Florida’s largest statewide support organization for investors and entrepreneurs, announced today its 16th annual Early Stage Capital Conference will feature a record $300,000 in award dollars and capital investment from Forum members Space Florida, DeepWork Capital, and Florida Power & Light’s Innovation Hub, 35 Mules.
The Early Stage Capital Conference will take place June 4-5, 2024, at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando, Florida. Anchor and premier sponsors include Florida High Tech Corridor, FPL, and Locke Lord.
The conference also will include the Space Florida AeroTech Summit which will feature presenters and programming relevant to the space and aerospace industries, and the Forum’s Statewide Collegiate Startup Competition, during which startup teams from 10+ Florida colleges and universities compete for award dollars.
Space Florida has pledged $100,000 in award dollars, and Florida Power & Light has pledged $75,000. The award dollar allocation will break down as follows:
· Accelerating Innovation Award: $75,000 from Space Florida
· Grand Prize: $50,000 from Florida Power & Light
· Runners Up (2 winners): $20,000 each from Florida Power & Light and Space Florida
· Collegiate Awards (2 winners): $5,000 each from Florida Power & Light and Space Florida
In addition, DeepWork Capital will make a minimum $125,000 equity investment in one of the winning companies.
Rob Long, president and CEO of Space Florida, said, “Supporting early-stage aerospace companies is essential to meeting the growing demand for commercial activities both in space and on Earth. By investing in these ventures, we’re not only fueling economic growth but also empowering the next generation of innovators to push boundaries and drive progress.”
Ben Patz, managing partner at DeepWork Capital, said, “The quality of presenting companies and their innovative solutions makes this the premiere early-stage technology event in the state, and we are thrilled by the opportunity to support these companies.”
Danielle Mousseau, manager of FPL’s 35 Mules, said, “Providing support to early-stage startups in Florida is a key step to growing the economy and scaling the next generation of jobs in Florida. We are honored to help advance these companies.”
Kevin Burgoyne, president and CEO of the Florida Venture Forum, said, “We are extremely grateful to Space Florida, DeepWork Capital and Florida Power & Light for their support of the Forum, and for contributing their time and resources to supporting our Early Stage Capital Conference, and the companies that attend and present.”
Last year’s top winning company, Kind Designs, went on to raise $5 million in venture funding, pulling from investors in Florida and nationwide. In the last year, the company has substantially expanded operations by tripling its robot fleet and installing the world’s first 3D-printed seawall in Miami in January 2024, demonstrating Kind Designs’ commitment to advancing technology and sustainability in coastal infrastructure.
Anya Freeman, Founder and CEO of Kind Designs, said, “Presenting at Florida Venture Forum events is a fantastic way to gain exposure to top venture investors in a setting where they are open and actively looking for investments. Kind Designs presented in 2023 and shortly thereafter we closed several investments directly as a result of connections made at the event. We are grateful to the Forum, Space Florida, FPL and DeepWork for their commitment to helping Florida startups grow and thrive.”
Accepted companies will be provided full details and prize eligibility information prior to presenting. Award determination by the judging team is final.
There is no cost to apply or to present. Companies can apply by filling out a short application.
Applicants should be early-stage technology, tech-enabled, healthcare or aerospace companies, with strong growth potential and demonstrated market traction. A focus in the aerospace and related industries is required to be eligible for Space Florida’s $75,000 “Accelerating Innovation” award. Industry focus for all other prizes and investment is open and eligibility will be based on acceptance by the selection committee.
The event is open to the public and space is limited. Registration and sponsorship information can be found here.
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Media Contacts:
Alayna Curry, APR, acurry@spaceflorida.gov
Pat Schneider, pat@flventure.org
About the Florida Venture Forum
The Florida Venture Forum is Florida’s largest statewide support organization for investors and entrepreneurs, helping fast-growth companies connect with sources of capital from across the country. Since 1984, over 2000 companies have presented at Forum events and raised upwards of $16B in equity capital, producing billions more in economic value to Florida. The Forum’s 500+ members represent a “who’s who” of venture capital and private equity dealmakers, including equity and debt investors at all stages, major law, accounting, and investment banking firms, and large corporates active in the innovation ecosystem. The Forum provides programs and programming statewide throughout the year in addition to hosting major annual conferences like the Florida Venture Capital Conference, the Statewide Collegiate Startup Competition, the Early Stage Capital Conference, and industry-focused events including aerospace and healthcare. For more information, visit: https://flventure.org/.
About Space Florida
Space Florida is where leading aerospace companies get everything they need to see their new ideas take off. As the state’s aerospace finance and development authority, Space Florida brings a mix of unrivaled experience, unmatched financial tools, and unbeatable location to the table by providing critical business financing opportunities for the aerospace industry, managing infrastructure investment in the state’s spaceport system, and facilitating research and development, workforce, education, and investment programs.
About DeepWork Capital
DeepWork Capital invests professionally managed committed venture capital in growth-oriented, early-stage companies in the technology and life science sectors. We partner with visionary entrepreneurs building disruptive companies. DeepWork works closely with other investment groups and takes a hands-on approach with its portfolio companies. For additional information, please see https://www.deepworkcapital.com.
About Florida Power & Light Company
As America’s largest electric utility, Florida Power & Light Company serves more customers and sells more power than any other utility, providing clean, affordable, reliable electricity to approximately 5.9 million accounts, or more than 12 million people. FPL operates one of the most fuel efficient and cleanest power generation fleets in the U.S. and in 2022 won the ReliabilityOne® National Reliability Award for the seventh time in the last eight years. The company was also recognized by Escalent in 2022 as one of the most trusted U.S. electric utilities for the ninth consecutive year. FPL is a subsidiary of Juno Beach, Florida-based NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE), a clean energy company widely recognized for its efforts in sustainability, corporate responsibility, ethics and compliance, and diversity. NextEra Energy is ranked No. 1 in the electric and gas utilities industry in Fortune’s 2023 list of “World’s Most Admired Companies” and recognized on Fortune’s 2021 list of companies that “Change the World.” NextEra Energy is also the parent company of NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, which, together with its affiliated entities, is the world’s largest generator of renewable energy from the wind and sun and a world leader in battery storage. For more information about NextEra Energy companies, visit these websites: www.NextEraEnergy.com, www.FPL.com, www.NextEraEnergyResources.com.
