Florida Funders commits $100,000 to Ambition Accelerated companies, building on the Council’s work to mobilize Florida’s corporate leaders around promising founders 

The Florida Council of 100’s effort to organize Florida’s corporate community around promising entrepreneurs is attracting dedicated investment capital. Through a new partnership, Florida Funders will commit $100,000 to qualifying companies participating in Ambition Accelerated, the Council’s statewide accelerator program. 

The commitment builds on a program that puts the Council’s convening power to work for founders. Ambition Accelerated brings leading CEOs and companies together to help entrepreneurs reach potential customers, develop industry relationships, and build businesses in sectors critical to Florida’s future. Florida Funders’ investment adds dedicated early-stage capital to that work. 

“Building on the success of last year’s Gold Coast accelerator, we are expanding the program across Florida and bringing new investment capital to our founders,” said Eric Silagy, Chair of the Florida Council of 100 Foundation. “Our members are putting their relationships, experience and companies to work to help these entrepreneurs succeed. Florida Funders’ commitment demonstrates the opportunity that leadership is creating.” 

Over the past decade, Florida Funders has grown from a crowdfunding platform into a Tampa-based venture capital firm and investor network that has invested more than $300 million in over 100 technology companies. With a network of more than 2,000 accredited investors, the firm has helped expand access to early-stage capital and support for entrepreneurs building in Florida. 

The new commitment will be made through Florida First Check, an initiative managed by Florida Funders in partnership with the Institute for Commercialization of Florida Technology. The initiative provides institutional capital to promising Florida technology companies at the earliest stages of growth. 

“Access to corporate decision-makers is enormously valuable to an early-stage company,” said Saxon Baum, Managing Partner of Florida Funders. “The Council has organized that access through Ambition Accelerated, creating a compelling opportunity for founders and investors alike. We are committing capital because we see the potential in bringing these resources together to help more companies grow in Florida.” 

Ambition Accelerated translates the Council’s Beyond Sunshine economic strategy into direct support for company growth. Its regional tracks focus on financial technology, dual-use defense technology, health innovation and resilience, connecting founders with business leaders in industries where Florida has the assets to compete and lead. 

“We built Ambition Accelerated around a simple idea: connecting promising founders with the business leaders who can help them become successful companies,” said Michael Simas, President and CEO of the Florida Council of 100. “Our members have brought Florida’s corporate market to the table. Now we are connecting that market with dedicated investment capital. That is how we help build the next generation of great American companies here in Florida.” 

The partnership advances the Council’s broader effort to organize Florida’s business leadership around building and scaling companies that create higher-wage careers and strengthen the state’s economy. 

About Florida Funders:  
Florida Funders is a venture capital firm with a network of 2,000+ accredited investors, and we operate as committed partners to the founders they fund. Their model is built around three things that most firms don't offer: a structured network that opens doors, a media-driven distribution engine that amplifies portfolio companies to customers, talent, and follow-on investors, and a community of founders and investors built for relationship-building and connection.  Rooted in Florida's thriving tech market, the firm invests in pre-seed through Series B technology companies led by standout founders across the U.S. 

About The Florida Council of 100:   
The Florida Council of 100 is a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that brings together the CEOs of Florida’s leading companies to strengthen the state’s long-term competitiveness, expand economic opportunity for future generations, and advance solutions that better the lives of all Floridians.  

The Council identifies Florida’s greatest economic opportunities and challenges, convenes business, government, academic, and community leaders around practical Solutions, and builds initiatives that create lasting economic impact. Through research, collaboration, and business-led action, the Council works to help Florida build stronger industries, create higher-wage jobs, develop talent, improve quality of life, and remain one of the best places in America to build a business.  

Founded in 1961 at the request of Governor Farris Bryant, the Council brings together CEOs who believe business success carries a responsibility to help shape Florida’s future. Today, The Council represents more than 200 companies, employing more than 1.3M Floridians. 

About Ambition Accelerated Florida:  
Ambition Accelerated Florida is The Florida Council of 100 and its Foundation’s statewide economic-development and company-building platform, designed to help attract and scale companies in Florida. Created as the execution platform for Beyond Sunshine, the Council’s strategy for strengthening Florida’s economy by organizing its regions around the industries and capabilities in which they are best positioned to lead, the platform brings together CEOs, established companies, founders, investors, universities, economic-development organizations and regional partners to attract businesses and talent to Florida, and connect companies of all stages with the relationships, capital, customers, talent and market opportunities they need to grow. 

Media Contact: 
Juan Carlos Fanjul, EVP, McNicholas & Associates 
561-420-5569 | juancarlos@mcnicholas.biz