Six companies have been awarded funding from the Florida Venture Forum, the state’s largest support organization for investors and entrepreneurs.
The recipients were awarded a total of $300,000 during the 16th annual Early Stage Venture Conference, in Orlando, earlier this month. Award funding came from Forum members Space Florida, DeepWork Capital, the Florida Power & Light Innovation Hub and 35 Mules.
The largest award recipient is X-Lumin, a Merritt Island-based communications technology firm that provides turn-key systems for ground-to-space laser communication, land-based optical wireless communication and space situations awareness with advanced integration capabilities. The company received $125,000 from DeepWork Capital for capital investment.
“The presenting companies showed why the early stage ecosystem in Florida is alive and well,” said Benjamin Patz, Manager of DeepWork Capital. “We were impressed with the quality of the companies presenting and will be reaching out to several for further discussions.”
X-Lumin also received $75,000 from Space Florida, as part of its Accelerating Innovation Award.
“We extend our congratulations to all six companies that were awarded investment dollars at this week’s Early Stage Venture Conference. Innovators like these are crucial for meeting the demand of the burgeoning commercial space industry, and we look forward to seeing the great work they will do to propel Florida forward,” Space Florida President and CEO Rob Long said.
Florida Power & Light provided a $50,000 grand prize to Boca Raton-based HelixVM, a company that created a software platform increasing physician productivity and patient access as “the Uber of health care.” Its software allows patients to obtain care, often without even a video visit, at any time.
“We extend our congratulations to the winning Florida startups and all those who participated,” said Danielle Mousseau, Manager of Florida Power & Light Company’s 35 Mules Innovation Hub. “Their success not only reflects their dedication and talent within the ecosystem, but also emphasizes the innovation thriving within Florida and in the emerging technology industry we have here.”
Also receiving awards were Miami-based Algas Organics, a company that works to address deforestation and sustainability challenges by replacing wood-based fiber with a seaweed-based solution; St. Petersburg-based Lonestar Data Holdings, a data storage company; Orlando-based Unbound Disability Claims, a company that aims to provide a lifeline to Social Security Disability applicants facing improper denials; and medical diagnostics tech firm NanoSense, based in Boca Raton.
“Congratulations to our winning companies – and all our presenters who were chosen from hundreds of applicants in a very competitive process. And thank you to our partners and members at DeepWork Capital, Florida Power & Light Company and Space Florida, and to all our sponsors, attendees, staff and volunteers. This year’s conference shattered several records including beating our prior attendance record by 25+%! We take this as a very positive sign for Florida’s startup ecosystem,” Florida Venture Forum President and CEO Kevin Burgoyne said.
