About Startup Florida

Startup Florida is a statewide initiative focused on maximizing accessibility and growth of Florida’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Startup Florida will connect entrepreneurs with a statewide network of resources, mentors and capital sources and in doing so will showcase Florida’s as an ideal location for high-growth, innovative companies that will drive job creation in our state. We are specifically focused on serving established young companies that range from newly launched startups through high growth speedups.  

Entrepreneurs are at the heart of Startup Florida, which will be “led by entrepreneurs, for entrepreneurs”.   Startup Florida’s formation, launch and growth are being led by the collaborative efforts of entrepreneurs all over the state. From our initial launch team to our regional leaders, entrepreneurs that have first-hand knowledge of what is needed to launch, finance and grow innovative companies are front and center in our efforts. 

To accelerate the formation and growth of Florida’s early-stage companies, Startup Florida is bringing together a coalition of mentors, entrepreneurial resources, funders, major corporations and service providers to accelerate access to a statewide network of strategic resources that are dedicated to enabling entrepreneurs to scale young companies that will create high wage jobs that will the foundation of Florida’s economic future. Some of our initial goals include:

·          Evaluate current barriers that Florida’s entrepreneurs face, and develop a strategic statewide plan to address these barriers

·          Create a statewide network of mentors and capital sources, and develop forums for promising early-stage companies to access these networks

·          Accelerate the cross-collaboration and sharing of regional resources across the state in a manner that serves the needs of Florida’s entrepreneurs

·          Create a “front door” for Florida’s entrepreneurs to quickly identify resources anywhere in the state that can serve their specific needs

·          Promote existing regional tech meet ups, events and educational programs across the state to encourage statewide networking and cross-collaboration

·          Engage larger corporate partners in the entrepreneurial ecosystem through commitments to help entrepreneurs

·          Develop a statewide network of service providers and other resources that will work with companies in the early-stages of their lifecycles

Startup Florida is part of a national network of state and regional efforts coordinated by the Startup America Partnership, a national organization working to help young companies grow in order to create jobs in America.