When Steve Case, the co-founder of AOL, thinks of Florida, a few things come to mind: Disney, orange juice and warm weather.
But Case believes the state has more to offer.
"We think there's some sectors emerging and some opportunities for Florida to be re-positioned as less of a tourist, sunshine state and more of an entrepreneurs startup state," he said.
Case is the Chairman and CEO of DC-based venture capital firm Revolution, which powers Rise of the Rest, a cross-country tour and seed fund spotlighting entrepreneurs in states beyond Silicon Valley and Massachusetts. In late April, the bus tour will kick off across the state of Florida, meandering through Tampa, Orlando, Miami, the Space Coast and ending in Puerto Rico.
At each of the cities, eight to 10 startups will pitch to Rise of the Rest staff and local judges from the area to earn $100,000.
"It's not just about about our investment," he said. "It's to create an energy and collaborative of each city we visit and shine a spotlight on it, so people understand what's happening."
Applications are now open and Case said the organization typically receives 80 to 100, narrowing it down to eight to 10. He said while there is one "winner" he hopes exposure can spread to all the presenting teams.
"Obviously there are many people who attend, so hopefully people will be intrigued and invest," he said.
Applications are open now until March 11. The finalists will be announced April 1.
"Florida is the third largest state and we think the momentum building — whether in Tampa Bay or Miami or the Space Coast — we want to see that and champion that."
