The energy in Tampa right now is unmistakable. As the city rapidly transforms into Florida’s primary hub for AI startups and tech innovation, the importance of bridge-building events has never been higher. This was the backdrop for the Embarc Collective Early-Stage Venture Summit, presented by Florida Funders.
The competition to get into the room was fierce: over 170 founders applied for a spot, and 45 of the region’s most active investors attended. This isn’t just a networking mixer, it’s a deal-making engine. Last year alone, two companies secured capital directly through relationships forged at this summit.
As we reflect on our time at Embarc Collective, here are the top five highlights that defined the event:
1. Building the “Orbit of Support” with Evan Erickson
We sat down with Evan Erickson, Senior Director of Partnerships + Events at Embarc Collective, to discuss the vision behind the summit. Evan has been a driving force in structuring the Florida startup ecosystem, and his philosophy is clear: capital is necessary, but community is the catalyst.
“We are here to create an orbit of support for founders who are building in the state of Florida,” Evan shared. This “orbit” isn’t just about the next check; it’s about the mentorship, peer-to-peer learning, and institutional knowledge that keep a startup from drifting off course.
- Watch the full interview on the PS27 Ventures Instagram page.
2. The VC Panel: What Early-Stage Investors Look Like
The morning hit its stride with the centerpiece panel, “What Early-Stage Investors Look Like.” This session pulled back the curtain on the decision-making processes of the state’s most active capital allocators. As the Florida tech scene matures, the bar for investability has shifted from simple growth metrics to a demand for operational resilience and a clear orbit of support.
The panel featured a powerhouse lineup of regional leaders:
- Saxon Baum of Florida Funders: As a primary sponsor and key architect of the event, Saxon emphasized the importance of momentum. “At Florida Funders, we don’t just write checks; we build and nurture long-term relationships with our founders, standing beside them as committed partners who bring battle-tested experience, valuable connections, and a deep understanding of the tech startup founder’s journey.”
- Rachel Feinman of TGH Ventures: Rachel provided a strategic lens on the intersection of innovation and institutional integration. Representing the venture arm of Tampa General Hospital, her insights were invaluable for founders looking to navigate the complexities of corporate venture and healthcare technology.
- Monique Villa Capra of Daytrip Ventures: Monique brought a deep focus on the early-stage “founder-market fit.” She discussed the qualitative traits: grit, adaptability, and vision, that signal a startup’s potential to scale from a Florida-based seed to a national contender.
- Ken Hall of DeepWork Capital: Ken rounded out the discussion by breaking down the technical milestones and market validation required to secure capital today. A key takeaway from Ken was the strategic advantage of the Florida Opportunity Fund (FOF). As the investment manager for the FOF, DeepWork Capital provides founders with access to state-backed programs, including the Florida Venture Capital Program and the Fund of Funds, designed to fuel high-growth companies that have historically been underserved by traditional capital.
3. Empowerment Through Community: WTE x The Clear Republic
Lunch was more than a meal; it was a focused session on the power of inclusive networks. We spent time with members of Women in Tech and Entrepreneurship (WTE), an organization dedicated to bridging the gender gap in the Florida tech scene. PS27’s Christine Caven serves on the Board of Directors for WTE and Co-Chairs the Gainesville Chapter, connecting the community with access to capital.
A standout moment was connecting with Becca Sanders, the founder of The Clear Republic, a handbag company. Her presence underscored a vital lesson for the summit: innovation isn’t limited to software. Becca has identified a massive, often overlooked market: the intersection of venue security compliance and high-end lifestyle fashion. While “clear bags” might seem like a traditional consumer product, The Clear Republic is a tech-enabled brand at its core. By applying tech-forward supply chain management and data-driven marketing strategies, Becca is scaling a Florida-based brand that solves a modern friction point for millions of consumers heading to stadiums and event venues.
Her story resonated with the summit’s theme of resilience. Proving that Florida’s entrepreneurial spirit is as diverse as its geography, Becca and her team are demonstrating that “disruption” can look like a perfectly designed accessory just as much as a new SaaS platform.
4. A Masterclass in Capital: Ryan Schneider on Raising Early-Stage Funds
One of the most high-impact sessions of the day was led by Ryan Schneider, Executive Strategy Coach at Embarc Collective and Co-Founder of Thrive25. Ryan brought a balanced, coach-led deep dive into the mechanics of the modern seed round and the skills that AI can’t replicate, helping founders raise early-stage funds.
5. Grounding the Vision: Customer Discovery with Kate Heath
Finally, Kate Heath, Director of Customer Discovery at Embarc Collective, brought the room back to the single most important person in any startup’s journey: the customer. In an era where it is tempting to lead with “AI-first” or “feature-first” development, Kate’s session served as a vital masterclass in validating pain points before writing a single line of code.
The standout takeaway from Kate’s talk was a phrase that every founder should have pinned to their office wall:
“There’s no shame in the pivot game.”
For many founders, the word “pivot” can feel like an admission of failure or a sign that the original vision was flawed. Kate reframed this entirely. In the context of Customer Discovery, pivoting isn’t a retreat; it’s an optimization.
The Embarc Collective Early-Stage Venture Summit proved that Florida is no longer just “emerging,” it has arrived. At PS27 Ventures, we are proud to be part of this orbit, supporting the founders who are defining the future of the Southeast.
Interested in staying updated on the next wave of Florida innovation? Follow us for more insights from the front lines of venture capital.
