The Florida Venture Forum and Space Florida Announce the Top Three Prize Winners of the 2016 Florida Early Stage Capital Conference

MIAMI and TAMPA, FL – May 19, 2016 – The Florida Venture Forum and Space Florida are pleased to announce the three top prize winners of the 9th annual 2016 Florida Early Stage Capital Conference, held at the Hilton Carillon in St. Petersburg on May 17, 2016. A total of 20 presenting companies from across Florida in a variety of industry sectors presented before an audience of approximately 300 investors, deal professionals and entrepreneurs.

An onsite panel of judges reviewed each selected company’s presentation and supporting materials. The top three cash prize winners were:

First Place $100,000 - Candidate.Guru, Inc., Weston (www.candidate.guru) is a paradigm changing human resource tool that uses cloud-based, big data analytics to predict a culture “fit” between job candidates and potential employers.

Second Place $30,000 - Symptify, Sunny Isles Beach (www.symptify.com), is a virtual doctor that helps users decipher causes for their symptoms, what to do about them and where to go for help.

Third Place $20,000 - Streann Media, Miami (www.streann.com), provides the tools required for content providers (cable operators, TV broadcasters, mobile operators) to go “over the top” (OTT) of their current distribution technology platforms and offer their viewers the next generation “TV Everywhere Experience.”

“This week’s conference was a good example, whether you're a winner or one of the other presenting companies, of Florida's innovation culture in action,” said Space Florida President and CEO Frank DiBello. “Companies presenting today are worthy of venture capital consideration in any investment environment.” To date, Space Florida-sponsored capital accelerators have (since September 2011) raised over $76 million for the participating companies.

The 20 presenting companies were selected from a statewide pool of approximately 100 applicants by a committee of active Florida venture capitalists and other investors. "The Forum's Early Stage Capital Conference continues to grow every year, with 2016 attracting our largest-ever audience and best investor attendance in the event's nine year history," said Kevin Burgoyne, president and CEO of the Florida Venture Forum. "Our partnership with Space Florida added an exciting dimension to the event, providing three worthy companies with much needed capital they can use to continue to grow and scale their businesses."

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 The 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.