Game Changer
venture capital
Starting and growing a successful business can
developed promising technologies that can be brought to market. But with
be incredibly rewarding. It offers entrepreneurs
an increase in startups also comes an increased need for venture capital.
the chance to pursue their passion, challenge
Unfortunately, there hasn’t been enough available in Florida to help these
themselves and support the local economy.
companies grow at their potential, but help is on the way.
But starting a business can also be incredibly
difficult. Entrepreneurs face many obstacles
Many entrepreneurs located throughout The Corridor have faced a funding
on the path to success, including a lack of
challenge, particularly in the company’s seed stage—a critical time in the
resources, mentors and affordable office
growth of a startup. KeriCure, a Tampa-based biotechnology company
space, just to name a few.
that has developed an all-natural liquid wound care product, is one such
startup that has experienced this obstacle firsthand.
Perhaps the biggest challenge, however, is
finding and securing capital to start and scale
“As a region, we need to do a better job of promoting the startups
the business. It can be a paralyzing hurdle
we have in the state and providing those startups with the seed
that causes budding companies to relocate or
even close their doors for good.
capital needed for venture capitalists to come in and invest,”
said Kerriann Greenhalgh, founder and CEO of KeriCure. “We
In the Florida High Tech Corridor region, dozens
constantly hear that venture capitalists do startup-stage investing,
of high tech startup companies are launched
but that means having $1 million in sales. True startups cannot get
every year. Whether it’s a software application,
to this level without some sort of funding to get them started.”
simulation technology or a new medical
device, many of these companies have
Gregg Pollack, founder of Orlando-based Code School—an online learning
service that provides instructional courses for aspiring and existing software
developers, echoed a similar sentiment on local funding available to
startups.
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