Space Florida, Florida Venture Forum Announce Winners of 2020 Florida Early Stage Capital Conference and Statewide Collegiate Startup Competition

Exploration Park, Miami and Tampa, Fla. (October 15, 2020) – Space Florida and the Florida Venture Forum, Florida’s largest statewide support organization for investors and entrepreneurs, are pleased to announce Techfit Digital Surgery, Switched Source and HealthMe Technology as the winners of the all-virtual 2020 Florida Early Stage Capital Conference, held October 14-15, 2020. A panel of judges reviewed each selected company’s presentation and supporting materials. Grand Prize Winner Techfit Digital Surgery will receive $40,000 of Space Florida’s Accelerating Innovation (AI) Award, while 1^st Runner-Up Switched Source will receive $30,000 and 2^nd Runner-Up HealthMe Technology will receive $20,000.  Additionally, Hannah Herbst with Tiburon Technologies representing Florida Atlantic University won the 10^th Annual Statewide Collegiate Startup Competition and will receive $10,000.

‍Techfit Digital Surgery, Daytona Beach (www.techfit-ds.com) aims at making customized implants the new standard of care for musculoskeletal pathologies providing a complete solution. This solution starts with the patient’s imaging (CT/MRI), they then convert this into a 3D model of the patient that they then use to interact with the surgeon and plan the treatment and if needed print models for surgical trial workshops. Once the treatment plan is approved by the surgical team the company uses 3D printing and other advanced manufacturing technologies to manufacture custom implants and instruments that fit the patient perfectly as opposed to finding the best fit out of a stock of existing material.

‍Switched Source, Vestal, New York (www.switchedsource.com) has developed a new set of power system devices for electric utilities that improve the resiliency, efficiency, and distributed energy resource hosting capacity of the grid. Switched Source’s power-electronics based technologies were designed for utility applications with support from G&W Electric, the US Department of Energy, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), and input from three utilities on the east coast. These utilities are engaged in demonstration projects for distribution investment deferral, phase balancing, and solar hosting applications.

‍HealthMe, Naples (www.healthmedocs.com) is a software platform, founded by a doctor, to accommodate the growing number of patients who choose to pay directly for their healthcare (“direct-pay”). Its direct to consumer solution brings patients a digital marketplace for transparently priced bundled healthcare, and medical practices the tools, training, and support to streamline their direct-pay business.“Space Florida congratulates Techfit Digital Surgery, Switched Source and HealthMe Technology as the winners of this 2020 Florida Early Stage Capital Conference, as well as all those selected to participate,” said Space Florida President and CEO Frank DiBello. “I also applaud Florida Venture Forum for creating a successful first-ever, all-virtual conference. These events are essential in highlighting Florida’s start-up ecosystem and venture capital community, and Space Florida thanks Florida Venture Forum for its leadership in that arena.”

“Congratulations to Techfit, Switched Source and HealthMe Technology, and all of our presenting companies, and special thanks to our sponsors, attendees and members for making the 2020 Florida Early Stage Capital Conference a success,” said Kevin Burgoyne, President and CEO of the Florida Venture Forum. “Our partnership with Space Florida and our sponsors we were able to move forward with hosting this year’s conference because we know how important it is to the seed and early stage startup ecosystem in Florida. Congratulations again to all those involved; we look forward to watching all of our presenters continue to grow and scale.”

The event marks the 13^th year the Florida Venture Forum has hosted the Florida Early Stage Capital Conference. The 21 presenting companies were selected from a pool of more than 150+ applicants by a committee of active Florida venture capital investors. Space Florida provided the Accelerating Innovation prize money totaling $100,000. To date, Space Florida supported capital accelerators have attracted more than $460 million in funding and investments for the participating companies. Ten colleges and universities were chosen to participate in this year’s Statewide Collegiate Startup Competition.

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‍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.

‍About Florida Venture Forum: The Florida Venture Forum is Florida’s largest statewide support organization for investors and entrepreneurs, helping emerging Florida companies connect with sources of capital from across the country. The organization provides programs statewide throughout the year in addition to hosting the Florida Venture Capital Conference, the Statewide Collegiate Business Plan Competition and the Early Stage Capital Conference. www.flventure.org.

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Media Contact:
Sara Shell
Space Florida
Telephone: 321-730-5301 ext. 221
Email: sshell@spaceflorida.gov