Startup Companies
Funding Resources
The Technology Transfer Office works closely with university start-ups to help identify and assist with funding and partnership opportunities such as: state funded grant or matching programs, SBIRs/STTRs, and arranging angel or VC presentation opportunities. There are many sources of outside funding that can help assist entrepreneurs and small companies. Please find a list of our current funding opportunities below.
The Emergent Growth Funds are member-managed angel funds that share the same focus on early stage companies. The current funds concentrate their activities on companies that are developing unique, leading-edge products, or proprietary technologies that possess the potential for rapid growth in significant markets.
FAN Fund is an early stage fund that focuses on the underserved market of Florida and invests in high growth companies in the technology and life science sectors.
Florida Biomedical Research Program
The Florida Biomedical Research Programs administered by the Florida Department of Health, Office of Public Health Research, includes two grant-funding programs; the James and Esther King Biomedical Research Program and the Bankhead-Coley Cancer Research Program.
FHTCC Matching Grants Research Program
The Florida High Tech Corridor Council's primary focus has been to foster applied research between Corridor universities and their high tech industry partners. Every year, dozens of companies across the 23-county Corridor participate in the Matching Grants Research Program to leverage their R&D budgets with academic partnerships to develop commercially applicable emerging technologies.
Florida Funders is a Florida focused investor network and online investing platform. We help accredited investors find and invest in early-stage Florida based companies. We blend the best of equity crowdfunding, angel investing and venture capital to provide a solution that generates strong financial returns while having a significant and positive impact on job creation and economic growth in our communities.
Florida Institute for Commercialization of Florida Technology
The Florida Institute for Commercialization of Florida Technology (the Institute) is Florida's One-Stop-Shop for investors and entrepreneurs who seek to identify new opportunities based on technologies developed through publicly-funded research.
Florida Venture Capital Program
The Florida Opportunity Fund's Florida Venture Capital Program was created to provide funding to emerging Florida companies (or companies locating in Florida) with perceived long-term growth potential.
Go Beyond Network brings together a group of private accredited investors dedicated to providing early stage capital with entrepreneurs seeking investment capital.
GrowFL was created in 2009 by the Florida Legislature as an economic development program focused on assisting second-stage growth companies to prosper in the state of Florida.
The Gulf Coast Venture Forum is a Florida 501(c) 6 non-profit corporation, formed in 2001. The primary purpose of the GCVF is to promote the success of Southwest Florida's new and emerging businesses by educating and bringing together the best entrepreneurs and Angel Investors.
MegaWatt Ventures provides essential funding and mentorship to support the commercialization and success of cleantech innovations developed by University students.
New World Angels (NWA) is a group of private investors dedicated to providing equity capital to early-stage entrepreneurial companies in the state of Florida. NWA has chapters in South Florida and the Tampa Bay area and is typically a lead or co-investor in transactions totaling between $0.5 million and $2.5 million.
Programs to ensure the nation's small, high-tech, innovative businesses are a significant part of the federal government's research and development efforts.
Seedfunders is an angel investing organization focused on helping early-stage startups develop to the point where they can attract venture capital funding. Our team comes from diverse backgrounds with expertise covering a wide range of real-world business challenges. With funding comes top-notch mentorship and guidance!
SBA Direct gives you information and services based on your unique business needs and supports startups and entrepreneurs with tools and resources to grow America's economy.
Small Business Development Center
The Florida SBDC at the University of South Florida is a member of the Florida SBDC Network, a statewide partnership program nationally accredited by the Association of America’s SBDCs and funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration, Department of Defense, State of Florida, and other private and public partners, with the University of West Florida serving as the network’s lead host institution. Florida SBDC services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Language assistance services are available for limited English proficient individuals.
The Tamiami Angel Fund I, LLC ("TAFI" or "the Fund") is Southwest Florida's first Angel Fund. TAFI is a formal fund of growth capital organized to invest in Florida-based early stage through expansion stage companies.
The NCIIA supports technology innovation and entrepreneurship in universities and colleges to create experiential learning opportunities for students, and successful, socially beneficial businesses.