Florida Venture Forum Announces 2020 Florida Early Stage Capital Conference and Statewide Collegiate Startup Competition

Exploration Park, Miami and Tampa, Fla. (July 28, 2020) – Florida Venture Forum, Florida’s largest statewide support organization for investors and entrepreneurs, today announced plans for an all-virtual 2020 Florida Early Stage Capital Conference taking place October 14-15, 2020. The 2020 conference marks the 13^th year for the event, and will feature the 10^th Annual Statewide Collegiate Startup Competition.

The conference will feature presentations from 25-30 fast-growth early stage companies, keynote speakers, breakout educational sessions, and other networking opportunities. Registration and other information about the Early Stage Capital Conference can be found on the Forum’s website, or by clicking here.

Previous early stage presenting companies have had tremendous success, raising over $181 million in equity capital. Collegiate participants have raised over $20 million.

In addition, Forum member and partner Space Florida will offer its “Accelerating Innovation” (AI) cash prize at the event. The AI Award offers cash prizes totaling $100,000 to eligible and accepted Florida companies and to out-of-state companies seeking to relocate or establish a presence in Florida. The prize allocation will be: $40,000 to the Grand Prize Winner, $30,000 to the 1^st Runner up, $20,000 for 2^nd Place and $10,000 to the Collegiate Winner.

Companies may apply to present by submitting an application via the Forum’s website using the ONLINE  PRESENTER APPLICATION. Companies will be notified of their eligibility for the AI Award at the time of their acceptance.Selected companies in the following industries will be eligible for the AI Award: Information Technology, Health Technology, Knowledge Based Services, Space Transportation And Advanced Aerospace Platforms, Satellite Systems And Science Payloads, Ground And Operations Support Systems, Agriculture, Climate/Environmental Monitoring, Civil Protection And Emergency Management, ISS And Human Life Science (Including Medical Research), Communications, Cyber Security, Adventure Tourism, Clean/Alternative Energy Applications, Advanced Materials And New Products. In Addition To, Aircraft And Spacecraft Design, Parts And Assembly, Engineering Design And Construction, Structural Materials And Electronic Assembly, Data Analytics, Medical And Surgical Innovations, Satellite Communications, Innovations In Planetary Sustainability Towards The Development Of Nutritious Food, Clean Water And Energy, Payload Development, Robotics – Parts, Design And Assembly, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, Surveillance, 3D Printing And Innovation, Radiation Protection, Reconnaissance and Missile Development.

Selected Early Stage presenters are not charged a registration fee to attend or present at the conference. The FINAL APPLICATION DEADLINE is September 17, 2020. Early submissions are welcomed and encouraged. Universities are requested to pay a discounted entry fee for their students to attend and their selected competitor to pitch and compete for allocated prize money.

‍About The Florida Venture Forum: The Florida Venture Forum is Florida’s largest statewide support organization for investors and entrepreneurs, helping companies with headquarters, operations or supply chain in Florida connect with sources of capital from across the country. Since 1984 over 1400 companies have presented at Forum events and have gone on to raise upwards of $8B in equity capital and contribute well over $10B in total economic value to Florida. The Forum’s 200+ members represent a “who’s who” of venture capital and private equity dealmakers, including and equity and debt investors at all stages, as well as 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: http://www.flventure.org.

‍About Space Florida: Space Florida was created to strengthen Florida’s position as the global leader in aerospace research, investment, exploration and commerce. As Florida’s aerospace and spaceport development authority, we are committed to attracting and expanding the next generation of space industry businesses. With its highly trained workforce, proven infrastructure and unparalleled record of achievement, Florida is the ideal location for aerospace businesses to thrive – and Space Florida is the perfect partner to help them succeed. www.spaceflorida.gov.

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‍Press Contact:

‍Florida Venture Forum: Pat Schneider, 813-335-8116, pat@flventure.orgS

pace Florida: Sara Shell, 321-730-5301 x221, sshell@spaceflorida.gov