Inaugural Northwest Florida Pitch Event Connects Entrepreneurs with Investors

PENSACOLA, Fla.—Jan. 10, 2025—Space Florida, the state’s aerospace finance and development authority, along with partners the Florida Institute for Human & Machine Cognition (IHMC), TechFarms Capital, and Saltmarsh, Cleaveland & Gund announced the recipients of the inaugural The Takeoff: Northwest Florida Pitch Day. Held at IHMC’s Pensacola, Florida offices, the event aimed to serve as a connector for market-ready research and startups in the region with investors, accelerating their path to commercialization and scaling groundbreaking technologies. Three startups and three IHMC researchers presented at the event.  

The startup award recipients were:

• First Place: Ator Labs $20,000
• Second Place: RSAE Labs $7,500
• Third Place: Piersica $7,500

The researchers who presented and received $5,000 each:  

• HAPTAC: Haptic Tactical Glove - Dr. Jeff Phillips
• Airborne and Portable Electromagnetic Sensing - Andy Bellina
• KENNEL Threat Detection System - Daniel Duran

“Through strategic programs like The Takeoff that bring together industry leaders, investors, and government, Space Florida and our partners are driving the commercialization of cutting-edge research and positioning the region as a node in the network of technology research and development,” said Rob Long, president and CEO, Space Florida. “The Takeoff also celebrated Florida’s position as a magnet for high-impact investment and entrepreneurial opportunity.”

“At IHMC, we are proud to partner with Space Florida and TechFarms Capital on impactful initiatives like The Takeoff, which bring together innovators, investors, and policymakers to accelerate the transition of breakthrough research into real-world commercial applications,” said Dr. Morley Stone, CEO of IHMC. “This event showcased IHMC’s growing commercialization interests and Florida’s prominence as a hub for cutting-edge technology, investment, and entrepreneurship, reinforcing the region’s critical role in shaping the future of innovation.”

“This event was instrumental in mobilizing investment capital in Northwest Florida, fostering continued growth and commercialization of the region's cutting-edge technologies. The dynamic exchange between investors and founders/technologists was palpable, and we're excited about the positive impact this will have on our collective future,” Kelly Reeser, General Partner, TechFarms Capital.

Florida’s aerospace innovation strategy is as much about economic opportunity as it is about technology. By cultivating startups and scaling new ventures at The Takeoff, Space Florida is fueling the next wave of market leaders in aerospace and advanced technologies. With investment in infrastructure, a capital network, and an ecosystem of collaboration between entrepreneurs and investors, Florida offers a proven model for accelerating ideas into scalable market solutions.  

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Media Contact
Alayna Curry, APR
acurry@spaceflorida.gov

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 independent 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.

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