Florida Funders

Tech is at the heart of Florida's economy, and Florida Funders is leading tech investing in the Sunshine State as the most active VC with the biggest investor network. What makes us stand out? ⚡️We work with great founders who are changing the world. ⚡️We create lasting partnerships with our portfolio companies. ⚡️We collaborate with the right team of investors, who are focused on building a better tomorrow. Ready to get involved? Visit our website to raise capital or invest. https://lnkd.in/eKxbMcUB

This past weekend, Jake Paul's spectator sports company, Most Valuable Products (MVP), hosted a stacked fight card in Tampa when Paul went head-to-head with Mike Perry, a bare-knuckle champion and Orlando local. The co-main event also featured Tampa native Stevie "Sledgehammer" Morgan, but even Paul has ties to the area. Based here in Tampa, Florida Funders is proud to be a five-time investor in Betr, Jake Paul's sports betting app. We're always excited to watch him fight and look forward to the highly anticipated match against Mike Tyson later this year. Read the full article: https://hubs.la/Q02HNmPt0

Maria Derchi Russo is Florida Funders' VP of Platform and Community. She's also the Executive Director of Refresh Miami, founder of Women in Miami Tech, and co-host of the Miami Tech Pod podcast. A key player in Florida innovation, Maria is driven by a passion for helping support and grow Florida's tech and startup ecosystem. Get a peek into a day in the life with Maria as she travels from Miami to Tampa for a Florida Funders event.

Stay up to date on the latest happenings in the venture capital market. Florida Funders partner Saxon Baum shares the biggest takeaways from PitchBook's 2024 Q2 report, highlighting the new means of liquidity that scrappy VC investors are exploring, the end of the “growth of all costs” era, and an upward trajectory of deal size and valuation. The big takeaway? Venture capital is still navigating challenging conditions, but experienced hands like Florida Funders are finding a way forward. Read the full article here. https://hubs.la/Q02H9FB00

Together, Florida Funders and eMerge Americas create a powerful force that drives innovation in Miami, Florida, and throughout the Southeast. eMerge provides a top-tier talent network and a landscape to build the innovation ecosystem, while Florida Funders fuels this ecosystem by bringing the funding as the most active VC in the state. There’s more excitement to come as we work together to find, fund, build, and grow the best tech startups out there.

Calling great founders – do you want the chance to pitch your company in front of some of the Southeast's most active funds? If you have a tech-enabled startup based in the region, don't miss the August 2nd deadline to apply to pitch live on the Venture Atlanta Conference stage! Learn more and apply here. https://hubs.la/Q02GYgvr0

Founders helping founders – that's who we are. Experience matters, and the entrepreneurial spirit remains long after a successful exit. Our team has turned our collective expertise building thriving companies into a powerful engine fueling the next generation of tech companies that will soon become household names. Join the movement as a Florida Funders investor. https://lnkd.in/eKxbMcUB

Venture capital typically follows a J-curve model. Not sure what this means? Let us explain. In the initial years of a fund, returns are typically negative as the fund invests in startups and incurs management expenses. Over time, at around year 5, the fund begins to harvest returns, and by year 7, investors are usually close to being made whole on their investment, with gains happening during years 7-10. The J-shaped curve illustrates the potential for negative returns in the early years of the fund and the importance of a long-term investment horizon. Refresh your knowledge on more VC basics with our Venture Capital Investor Resource Guide. https://hubs.la/Q02G28h80

AI has significantly impacted the way businesses operate, but what about its social impact? Florida Funders portfolio company OpenHome, an AI-powered smart speaker, shared a discussion they had with Kevin Lu, an expert on social impact and AI. In their chat, Kevin advises AI developers to create with intention and recommends certain frameworks to guide ethical application development. Read it here: https://hubs.la/Q02G2t9t0

Tampa is becoming a well-known hub for tech, bolstered largely by the city's focus on talent and innovation. We're thrilled to have Tampa's Mayor, Jane Castor, join us on the Skin in the Game podcast to talk about how Tampa is positioning itself for continued success in the tech industry. Learn about Mayor Castor's unique path to public office and the pivotal role she's played in steering the city's growth. Catch the latest episode. https://hubs.la/Q02FR5Q_0