venVelo is the premier early-stage venture fund in Florida for innovative companies seeking capital and mentoring. venVelo was launched in 2012 and quickly established itself as one of the most active venture funds in central Florida. It was named the 2014 "Tech Investor of the Year." In addition to its investments, venVelo board members have been frequent speakers, panelists, and venture competition judges around the state. venVelo also has donated money to a variety of organizations working to develop the central Florida entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Individuals, and the networks and relationships they have created over their lifetimes, are the foundation of venVelo's strategy for raising money, identifying growth companies, and mentoring those companies to increase the likelihood of their success. venVelo's Board of Directors has considerable venture experience and multiple exits. Based in Winter Park, Florida, but with relationships with like-minded funds in Gainesville, the Space Coast, and South Florida, venVelo fills in any gaps its portfolio companies may have including management, marketing, sales and distribution, software development, and/or the next round of funding.
The venVelo board consists of entrepreneurs with previous exits of over $200 million and executives with decades of experience in sales, marketing, HR, and finance. venVelo uses the skills and experience of its board to mentor the entrepreneurs it invests in.
venVelo is one of the the most active early stage funds in Central Florida. venVelo not only writes checks, but engages with the community through speaking engagements, donations, and networking as a leader in the Central Florida entrepreneurial community.
The venVelo board has spent lifetimes doing business in Central Florida and has syndicated deals with the top Central Florida venture funds. venVelo leverages its connections to fuel the success of the companies it invests in and grow the local entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The venVelo board prefers to act quickly. It knows entrepreneurs greatly benefit from quick investor feedback, as this impacts the decisions an entrepreneur must make.
venVelo prefers to work with early-stage pre or early revenue companies who can benefit from its mentorship. Coachability is one of the most important characteristics venVelo looks for when investing in an entrepreneur.
The first thing to do is really understand your company's needs and how they fit our investment strategy and goals. A self-evaluation based on your needs as well as the stage of your business is imperative to your success and must match our investment philosophy. Once you complete your assessment, this pitch criteria document will help you build your presentation. These are general guidelines so please do not let them inhibit your creativity.
When you've completed your pitch document and company overview, please email them to us at pitch@venvelo.com. After we review your information, we'll let you know if there is an interest in having you come in to pitch the board. It usually takes us a week or so to get word back to you. If you are invited to pitch the board, there is no guarantee of funding. The Start-up Resources below may be of use to you in creating your pitch to venVelo.