Today, the Gold Coast Tech Accelerator Program, an 8-week hybrid accelerator program for FinTech and Dual-Use and Defense Tech startups, held its closing session. A collaboration between The Florida Council of 100 and its Foundation, eMerge Americas, and Related Ross, the participating startups were connected with resources and mentorship from some of the top CEOs and business leaders in Florida.  

Participants gained:

• Elite Mentorship: Direct access to top CEOs, investors, and industry leaders.

• Corporate Partnerships: Pilot and scale with leading enterprises.

• Market Access: Leverage Florida’s thriving ecosystem for growth and customer acquisition.

• Investor Network: Connect with Florida’s vast investor community.

• Office space: Meeting and collaboration space provided at no cost to participants.

“The Florida Council of 100 is demonstrating what sets Florida apart from other states. Our private sector leads, our government partners, and together with eMerge Americas and Related Ross, we are creating an environment where builders can thrive. The Gold Coast Tech Accelerator reflects that momentum. By bringing Southeast Florida’s strengths together, we are empowering entrepreneurs to innovate, attract investment, and drive the next chapter of Florida’s economic growth,” said Mike Simas, President & CEO of The Florida Council of 100.

Florida has posted the nation’s second-highest Finance and Insurance GDP growth over the past five years, outpacing New York and California.

“It was an honor to partner with Related Ross and The Florida Council of 100 for the inaugural Gold Coast Tech Accelerator,” said Melissa Medina, CEO & Co-founder of eMerge Americas. “This one-of-a-kind program offered resources, mentorship, and opportunities that have empowered the participating startups to scale faster and position themselves for long-term success.”

“What we are witnessing in South Florida is an emergence of the next generation of business leaders, particularly in tech-driven global industries, and South Florida is leading the charge as the hub for businesses to scale and innovate here. The Gold Coast Tech Accelerator inaugural cohort exemplified the caliber of talent Florida is cultivating,” said Eric Silagy, Vice Chairman of Related Ross. “Related Ross is proud to partner with The Florida Council of 100 and eMerge Americas on the inaugural program and give startups the opportunity to accelerate their growth.”

The Dual-Use and Defense Tech cohort included: Extremis Systems, Phantom Photonics, Thor Dynamics Corporation, Material Hybrid Manufacturing, Symbio Holdings, ProximaVision Aerospace, Impatient Software, Future Optek, bundleIQ, and Farview.

The FinTech cohort included: Retrievables, Grove, SyncData.ai, Preventor, RiskRator, Cypator, Maestro, Clox AI, Delfi, and Eyeclone.

About The Florida Council of 100 and The Florida Council of 100 Foundation
The Florida Council of 100 is a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization of business leaders dedicated to improving Florida’s quality of life and economic well-being. Founded in 1961 at the request of Governor Farris Bryant, the Council serves as a trusted advisor to Florida’s elected officials and policymakers. Its membership represents over 200 companies employing more than 1.3 million Floridians, collectively shaping the state’s future through business-driven policy solutions and direct economic impact initiatives. The Florida Council of 100 Foundation is the Council’s nonprofit affiliate, focused on research, education, and strategic initiatives that support long-term economic growth and prosperity across Florida. The Foundation plays a key role in identifying opportunities, funding forward-thinking programs, and driving collaborative partnerships to strengthen Florida’s talent pipeline and innovation economy. For more information about The Florida Council of 100, visit www.fc100.org.

About eMerge Americas
eMerge Americas is a strategic convener and catalyst for innovation, bringing together global enterprises, startups, investors, and government leaders to accelerate advancements across AI, Finance, Health, and National Security. Through year-round programming and its annual tech conference + expo in Miami, eMerge drives transformative ideas to market and strengthens industries through connection, capital, and collaboration. Since 2014, the global tech conference + expo has attracted 20,000+ attendees annually from over 50 countries and catalyzed billions in venture investment.

About Related Ross
Led by visionary developer Stephen Ross, Related Ross is a fully integrated real estate company shaping South Florida’s next generation of growth. With more than $10B planned in investment across Palm Beach County, the firm is a market leader in attracting global companies and talent to South Florida.

As a catalyst for regional growth, Related Ross is advancing developments through public-private partnerships that strengthen business ecosystems, expand attainable housing offerings, support world-class healthcare, enhance higher education and K-12 opportunities, and cultivate innovation hubs to accelerate South Florida’s dynamic business and cultural growth. The firm also curates entertainment programming and thought-leadership initiatives that position the region as a national center for ideas and experiences. Its portfolio spans mixed-use, Class AA+ lifestyle office, luxury residential, affordable housing, city centers, hotels and hospitality, and public realm, designed to anchor long-term economic vitality in the communities they build. Through the Related Ross Foundation, the company is focused on equitable growth that expands access to education, employment, and cultural vitality. For more information, visit www.relatedross.com.

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