Florida Funders will commit $100,000 to qualifying companies that take part in Ambition Accelerated, the statewide accelerator program of the Florida Council of 100.
The money adds dedicated early-stage capital to a program that connects founders with business leaders and companies. The commitment will run through Florida First Check, an initiative managed by Florida Funders in partnership with the Institute for Commercialization of Florida Technology. That initiative provides institutional capital to Florida technology companies at their earliest stages.
Eric Silagy, chair of the Florida Council of 100 Foundation, said the program is expanding across Florida after last year's Gold Coast accelerator. Saxon Baum, managing partner of Florida Funders, said the firm is committing capital because it sees potential in bringing these resources together.
The Florida angle
Florida Funders is a Tampa-based venture capital firm and investor network. It began as a crowdfunding platform and, over the past decade, has invested more than $300 million in over 100 technology companies. Its network includes more than 2,000 accredited investors.
Ambition Accelerated runs regional tracks in financial technology, dual-use defense technology, and health innovation and resilience. The program helps entrepreneurs reach potential customers, develop industry relationships and build businesses. The Council says the program turns its Beyond Sunshine economic strategy into direct support for company growth.