STUART — The Research Coast Principium Foundation, the not for profit, 501(C)3 organization that will be presenting the Second Annual Research Coast Business Plan Competition, has forged an exciting new partnership with the Florida Venture Forum.
The Research Coast Business Plan Competition’s purpose is to dedicate and promote the development of economic opportunity by facilitating interaction between professionals, investors, supporting organizations, and the emerging business community of Florida’s Research Coast.
At last year’s competition, two emerging companies located in Vero Beach won the top two slots. TruMobility (Private Cellular Network solutions) received a cash prize of $25,000, the title of Inaugural Champion, as well as a package of free legal, accounting, and mentoring advice.
Enjoying a cash prize of $15,000 was the second place winner Azzly (a web-based, Healthcare Record and Management System.)
The Florida Venture Forum is a statewide, member based organization that helps entrepreneurs obtain funding through education, strategic partnering, and effective networking.
The forum hosts the annual Venture Capital Conference that has been instrumental in helping Florida based entrepreneurs achieve over $2.8 billion in funding to date. Additionally, the forum hosts the Early Stage Conference, which has helped presenting companies obtain over $1 million in funding to date.
“Our foundation is pleased to announce that The Florida Venture Forum has agreed to automatically accept the 2014 winner of our Principium Foundation Business Plan Competition into their Early Stage Venture Competition.
This is an extremely enviable position for any one of the businesses submitting to participate in our event,” explained Kevin Barry, President of the Principium Foundation and a partner in the Vero Beach based law firm of Rossway Moore Swan.
Coletta Dorado, Founder, President, and CEO of AZZLY, who took the second runner-up spot in the Research Coast’s competition last March, was one of 300 companies submitting and one of 18 companies presenting to a room full of potential investors in the Early Stage Competition last May.
AZZLY took the top spot. As winner of the early stage conference, Ms. Dorado will get to present again at the Florida Venture Forum’s 2014 Florida Venture Capital Conference to be held Jan. 28-29, 2014 in Orlando.
In addition, AZZLY also received a gift certificate for pro bono legal services from the law firm of Edwards Wildman.
“The early stage win secured us our first round of Angel Funding from the UCF Angel Nexus Group, but it only came to be because of the Business Plan Competition experience and mentoring.
And with all the heightened visibility, we were elected to present at the Healthcare Innovation Competition sponsored by the State of Florida, Florida Blue, and USF at the CAMLS Center in Tampa where AZZLY received a winning check.
Back in Vero, we received an Outstanding Recognition plaque from the Indian River County Commission for our successes and made cover story in the Scripps Media Treasure Coast Progress and Innovation Quarterly this past August.
In retrospect, all of this happened due to the recognition and support here on the Research Coast,” Dorado added.
The second annual Business Plan Competition will be held Thursday, March 6, 2014 in the Wolf High Technology Center at the Susan H. Johnson Auditorium of Indian River State College’s Chastain Campus in Stuart, FL.
For those businesses wishing to apply, the foundation is looking for entrepreneurs and companies with innovative ideas. Applicants from all industries are welcome to apply.
Bonus points, however, will be given for companies that are operating in one of the qualified target industries which include Cleantech, Life sciences, Information technology, Aviation/aerospace, Logistics and distribution, Defense and homeland security, Financial/professional services, and Manufacturing.
Sponsors include Bank of America, Indian River State College, Rossway Moore Swan, Scripps Treasure Coast Newspaper, Vocap Ventures, Rehmann, WQCS, the Florida Venture Forum, and Workforce Solutions.
The deadline to apply is Jan. 17, 2014. Applications can be found by visiting the website at www.RCBizNovation.com.
