Tampa’s Florida Venture Forum and Space Florida are pleased to announce the grand prize winner of the 2018 Florida Venture Capital Conference, held at the Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort and Spa. A total of 17 Florida-based companies and one Rhode Island-based company from a variety of industry sectors were selected to present before an audience of investors, deal professionals and entrepreneurs.
A panel of judges reviewed each selected company’s presentation and supporting materials. The winning company, which received the grand prize Accelerating Innovation Award of $100,000 was ITProTV.
ITProTV, Gainesville (www.itpro.tv) delivers online IT training that is both comprehensive and entertaining. With a unique format where educators interact with hosts, ITProTV brings a human-to-human approach to the convenience and cost-efficiency of learning. ITProTV provides comprehensive training to the medical field as well as the federal level.
The 18 presenting companies were selected from a statewide pool of more than 100 applicants by a committee of active Florida venture capitalists and other investors. Presenting companies focused on industries and market segments such as Space Florida provided the Accelerating Innovation prize money totaling $100,000. To date, Space Florida supported capital accelerators, have attracted more than $134 million in funding and investments for the participating companies.
“Space Florida congratulates the grand prize winner, ITProTV, and all participating companies in the 2018 Florida Venture Capital Conference,” said Space Florida President and CEO Frank DiBello. “Events by the Florida Venture Forum offer the opportunity to showcase the State’s thriving start-up, early stage and capital formation ecosystem, and Space Florida is pleased to continue its partnership with Florida Venture Forum.”
“The Forum’s 2018 Florida Venture Capital Conference is another example of the robust ecosystem in Florida,” said Kevin Burgoyne, President and CEO of the Florida Venture Forum. “We congratulate ITProTV, and thank Space Florida for their strong support, and look forward to continuing to promoting Florida-grown companies in future events.”
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.