The success of a startup can often rely on finding the right help when needed. That might be a key investor, accelerator program or support group that helps a young company achieve its next stage of growth. For entrepreneurs, a city’s ecosystem — the community of startups, funding mechanisms and support groups that serve that region — matters.
This “ecosystem at a glance” guide is designed to serve as a general onboarding tool, a guide to help you quickly identify the businesses, capital resources, co-working spaces, events, resources and more that makeup, support and embody the First Coast ecosystem.
It details the startups, investors, accelerators, innovation hubs, schools and entrepreneur support groups that define the region’s technology and innovation fields. This guide will be updated with new names as the First Coast innovation economy grows.
If we missed anything; please email James Cannon at jcannon@bizjournals.com and we’ll update this guide.
Here’s your guide to the startup ecosystem on the First Coast:
Notable Companies
Auditmacs | "Auditmacs is a leader in Technology Lifecycle Management and has consecutively been honored on the Inc.5000 list. Our enterprise level services focus on Enterprise Mobility Management, IT & Logistics, Expense Management, Telecom, and Cloud Consulting."
Antisyn | "Antisyn is a local leader in providing ongoing IT support and consulting services to small-to-medium businesses in the greater Jacksonville area."
Availity | "Availity is the place where healthcare finds the answers needed to shift focus back to patient care. We work to solve communication challenges in healthcare by creating a richer, more transparent exchange of information among health plans, providers, and technology partners."
CCS Southeast | "CCS Southeast is a full-service Audio Visual Integration Company serving the Southeast United States. We design, program, build, install and service each solution, and our client markets include Corporate, Education, Government, Hospitality, Entertainment and more."
CSI Companies | "CSI Companies partners with organizations nationwide to deliver solutions-focused workforce services."
Drone Aviation Corp. | "A drone operator of mobile, tactical-sized aerostats capable of carrying a variety of payloads in support of military operations. Also specializes in commercial tethered drone applications."
Emtec Inc. | "Empowering Organizations to Thrive via Digital Technology and Process Transformation for Over 25 Years."
feature[23] | "Through product strategy, design and delivery our client-focused process is there to ensure we build the software you need."
FIS | "FIS is a leading provider of technology solutions for merchants, banks and capital markets firms globally. Our 55,000 people are dedicated to advancing the way the world pays, banks and invests by applying our scale, deep expertise and data-driven insights."
Forcura |"Forcura is the leader in document management and HIPAA-compliant communication for healthcare organizations."
Forge | "Forge was founded in 2013 to make this [3D design, printing and production] technology accessible."
Harvest Software Solutions LLC | "Harvest is a Global Software Development and IT Services company."
Hashrocket Inc. | Hashrocket is a premier web and mobile design and development consultancy. We specialize in building applications in ruby on rails along with training and project management to our clients."
Information & Computing Services Inc. | "ICS is a Jacksonville based technology company with customers in 37+ countries that use the RF-SMART brand of Logistics and Warehouse automation products."
Interactive Resources LLC | "Job searching and hiring is, and always will be, a human experience. Yes, algorithms are great – but at the end of the day, no one can help you find the best fit like a real human being. To us, relationships matter most and we love building new ones every day."
iVenture Solutions | "iVenture Solutions is an award-winning managed services provider delivering superior IT solutions to clients across the Southeast."
Miller Electric Company | "At Miller Electric Company, we have upgraded our capabilities to not only be our clients' facility partner but also their business partner not only helping our clients manage their electrical and technology infrastructure but also helping them leverage the increased connectedness to drive performance."
NLP Logix | "NLP Logix is an advanced analytics and machine learning data product and services company, which has grown from a vision in 2011 to one of the fastest-growing teams of deep learning practitioners."
Redwire | "We are developing mission-critical space solutions and high-reliability components that are shaping the future of space exploration. With decades of flight heritage combined with an agile and innovative culture, Redwire is uniquely positioned to take on the critical space missions of today and tomorrow."
Revalize | "Our software tools create order and reduce friction by elevating buying experiences, accelerating sales cycles, and streamlining manufacturing processes. It’s a revolution in how you connect with your markets."
Tauruseer | "Product Portfolio Risk Management from Code to Cloud. Tauruseer is the first continuous risk management and assurance platform purpose-built to optimize DevSecOps performance, security, and compliance with proactive risk insights across products, infrastructure, and development."
Urban Mining | "Urban Mining PBC specializes Urban Recycling, including Electronics Recycling, Data Destruction in Jacksonville, Miami, and Fort Lauderdale."
Higher Education
Florida State College at Jacksonville
Accelerators and incubators
Elev8 Ventures | "ELEV8 startup accelerator is an entrepreneurial community where startups of all sizes come to build, launch, grow and create the future. We provide assistance, resources and services to help guide startups from idea to launch, and from launch through their appropriate growth stages."
PS27 Ventures | "We provide venture capital and advisory services to driven and passionate founders at the critical early stages of their business."
Beaver Street Enterprise Center | "The Beaver Street Enterprise Center was launched in 2001 as an initiative of FreshMinistries, Inc. Located in the city’s northwest quadrant in both state Enterprise and Federal Empowerment Zones, the non-profit Center has support from a number of valued partners and is currently home to 48 successful companies and organizations."
FIS Fintech Accelerator | "The FIS Fintech Accelerator brings bankers, subject matter experts, and financial service executives together with pre-vetted, market-validated fintech companies to advance the financial services industry."
Mayo Clinic Innovation Exchange | "A membership-based platform created to further industry collaboration, accelerate commercialization, and as a way to put all of our minds together to help patients."
Think it Thru | "Think it Thru is a business incubator program that helps create the vision and value necessary to move forward in the industry. This program empowers businesses to work with passion and determination, create networking opportunities, think creatively, take risks, and work in a collaborative environment."
Venture Capital
PS27 Ventures | "We provide venture capital and advisory services to driven and passionate founders at the critical early stages of their business."
Vertus Ventures | "An investment group founded by a team with over 45 years of private equity, banking, and public company management experience."
Inflexion Partners | "Partnering with entrepreneurs to turn visionary ideas into high-growth, sustainable businesses through long-term investing and value creation."
Vestech Partners LLC | "We have over two decades of experience in the venture capital space investing in Silicon Valley companies."
Statewide Financial Resources
Florida Business Development Corporation | "Assists healthy, growing small businesses, secures long-term, below-market, fixed-rate financing for the acquisition of fixed assets. Also provides financial assistance and advisory services to companies considering the possibility of selling their business or contemplating an acquisition or merger."
Florida First Capital Finance Corporation (FFCFC) | "A statewide, non-profit certified development company that promotes economic development and job creation by working with the SBA and private-sector lenders to provide available and affordable financing to small businesses. FFCFC lends under the SBA 504 Loan Program, the state of Florida Recycling Loan Program and other small business assistance programs."
Startup resources and support groups
The Florida Small Business Development Center at the University of North Florida | "The Florida Small Business Development Center at the University of North Florida’s no-cost consulting, low-cost training and extensive information resources offer entrepreneurs access to the business solutions that help them grow and succeed. By helping businesses grow, we create a better community for all."
Florida Venture Education Foundation, Inc. | "The Florida Venture Education Foundation (FVEF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that provides fast-growing seed and venture stage companies with strategic coaching, meaningful introductions to capital, and educational opportunities throughout the year."
Jacksonville Women's Business Center | "Jacksonville Women's Business Center is a program that helps women entrepreneurs of Jacksonville by fostering innovation and igniting entrepreneurial spirit through education, resources, and networking."
Women Business Owners of North Florida | "Provides support to women in all stages of business ownership. Hosts five to six monthly meetings for networking and business education. Does not directly provide any loans, grants, economic assistance or capital investment."
Jax Chamber | "Jax Chamber is a program that helps entrepreneurs and business owners grow in the industry by building connections and prospering in the community. This program provides participants with skilled training, educational programs, and pro-business agenda."
UNF Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation | "Jacksonville has a growing entrepreneurship ecosystem, and UNF and the Coggin College of Business are driving early-stage entrepreneurship efforts in our region."
Startup Grind - Jacksonville | "Startup Grind is the largest independent startup community, actively educating, inspiring, and connecting more than 2,000,000 entrepreneurs in over 600 chapters. We nurture startup ecosystems in 125+ countries through events, media, and partnerships with organizations like Amazon Web Services."
City of Jacksonville Office of Economic Development | "The Office of Economic Development partners with small business organizations that provide the necessary services for successful startup business ventures."
Score - Jacksonville | "SCORE has the largest network of free volunteer small business mentors in the nation. No matter what stage your business is at SCORE has a mentor for you."
Editor's Note: If you would like to participate in our coverage of the First Coast startup and tech scene coverage, reach out to managing editor James Cannon at jcannon@bizjournals.com.
