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Florida State University is excited to declare that DeepWork Capital and Florida Funders, two prominent venture capital (VC) firms in Florida, will engage in events during FSU Discovery Days, a weeklong tribute to research and innovation.
Kathy Chiu, managing partner at DeepWork Capital, along with Zach Brodsky, senior investment associate at Florida Funders, will provide fundraising guidance to the Tallahassee startup ecosystem on a panel titled “Capital of Florida: VC & Angel Funding for Sunshine State Tech Startups” at the IGNITE Tallahassee Grand Opening on the morning of Oct. 21. Later that day, both Chiu and Brodsky will also act as judges for the third annual Discovery Challenge, a competition reminiscent of “Shark Tank” for startups based on FSU research.
Both firms have been instrumental in shaping Florida’s venture capital environment. DeepWork Capital, which oversees several private venture capital funds in addition to the state’s Florida Opportunity Fund, is recognized for its founder-centric and hands-on methodology. With a multidisciplinary focus and a broad industry perspective, DeepWork’s investments range from enterprise IT to advanced technology and life sciences. The firm’s funding has stimulated progress in underserved areas and broadened opportunities for numerous promising startups. Florida Funders is acknowledged as one of the most engaged venture capital firms in Florida and ranks among the leading firms in the country. By merging a venture fund with one of the largest angel investor networks in the Southeast, Florida Funders has supported over 120 startups across sectors like fintech, AI, health tech, and digital media.
The involvement of DeepWork Capital and Florida Funders fosters a crucial link for the Tallahassee startup community seeking funds to enhance their technology or expand their businesses.
“We are delighted to host Florida Funders and DeepWork Capital during Discovery Days,” stated Valerie L. McDevitt, associate vice president of Strategic Partnerships and Innovation at FSU. “Their involvement not only enriches the Discovery Challenge pitch competition but also connects our innovators with investors who are actively advancing Florida’s startup ecosystem.”
Discovery Days unites students, faculty, entrepreneurs, and community partners to honor research, creativity, and innovation at the university. Alongside the incubator grand opening and pitch competition, the weeklong agenda of Discovery Days offers something for everyone, from child-friendly physics and art projects to discussions on public health, AI, and more.
About the IGNITE Tallahassee Grand Opening
The IGNITE Tallahassee grand opening will feature the 40,000-square-foot facility designed to facilitate the translation of new technologies from the lab to the market. Meet the current incubator companies, listen to tech startup experts, and discover the entrepreneurship programs available to tech entrepreneurs in North Florida. October 21, 9 a.m. Registration is currently open!
About the third annual Discovery Challenge
The third annual Discovery Challenge grants FSU startups the chance to present innovative ideas to investors and compete for $50,000 in prizes. This competition is a key highlight of Discovery Days, FSU’s yearly celebration of research, creativity, and entrepreneurship. Augustus B. Turnbull III Florida State Conference Center, October 21, 3 p.m. Registration is currently open!
For further details about FSU Discovery Days, click here.
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