Raising capital in Orlando has never been more exciting—or more competitive. As the city’s tech and innovation scene continues to surge, founders are discovering a wealth of venture capital firms, accelerators, and networking opportunities. In this guide, you’ll find the most active Orlando-based investors, accelerators, incubators, and the key events and founder groups that can open doors to funding, mentorship, and lasting connections.
Top Orlando VCs
LEAD Sports
About: leAD Sports & Health Tech Partners sources, funds, and drives growth of early-stage sports & health tech startups globally. leAD works with groundbreaking solutions across the verticals of fan engagement, connected athletes, and health & well-being.
Sweetspot check size: $ 750K
Starter Studio
About: We are Central Florida’s only 501(c)3 nonprofit organization focused on accelerating tech and tech-enabled startups. We support founders through the early-stages of a startup, from validating their idea, developing an MVP or Prototype, building the infrastructure of a sustainable business, through first customer / first revenue, to preparing to meet with investors for pre-seed funding. We provide three world-class accelerator programs that offer tech founders the opportunity to learn the skills, competencies and business disciplines that help them address and mitigate the top 20 reasons 2 out of 3 tech startups fail in their first five years. The programs also provide founders with highly skilled coaches and subject matter experts, as well as personal introductions and connections into the broader tech ecosystem. We prepare pre-seed-ready starters to attract outside funding while also investing in eligible pre-seed-stage accelerator graduates through our own evergreen fund. StarterStudio is supported by donors and local governments as a stimulus to economic development and high-wage jobs.
Blackwood Holdings Group
About: Blackwood Holdings Group LLC is a multinational venture capital Firm with deep managerial and technical expertise capable of accelerating companies to market leadership. Blackwood, sponsors management buy-outs of privately owned businesses and subsidiaries or divisions of public companies with revenues between $5 million and $50 million. We seek investments in companies with solid fundamentals and provide financial transaction expertise which empowers management.
Penta Mezzanine Fund
About: Penta Mezzanine Fund is a private investment firm providing $2 to $15 million customized growth capital solutions to profitable, lower-middle-market companies nationwide. We look to invest our funds in established companies operated by experienced and proven management teams with a history of building enterprise value. Penta Mezzanine Fund was created by former industry executives and experienced investors who place a high value on their relationships with management teams.
Boxer Capital
About: Boxer Capital Management is a full life cycle investment firm, committed to fundamental, research-based investing in specialized and precision medicine companies across private and public markets.
Thesis: Innovation-focused investing in biotechnology companies that aim to drastically improve medicine.
Orlando Health Ventures
About: Orlando Health Ventures is advancing healthcare innovation by strategically investing in early stage companies and technologies that are transforming and disrupting the healthcare industry. Through a collaborative effort with our clinicians and leaders, Orlando Health Ventures sources, evaluates, and invests in innovative companies that demonstrate potential for a strong return on investment, high growth opportunity and that align with the mission of Orlando Health.
APC Holdings
About: APCH leads in alternative investments, specializing in private equity, private credit, infrastructure, and real estate. Our strategy integrates innovative financial approaches with a strong commitment to social impact, particularly empowering Minority Business Enterprises. Through strategic partnerships and demand-driven investments, we strive for strong returns while promoting sustainable growth and inclusivity in communities.
Top Accelerators and Incubators in Orlando
Orlando is home to a diverse range of accelerators and incubators, each offering unique programs, funding, and mentorship:
- StarterStudio: Offers multiple accelerator tracks (Idea, Build, Seed) and provides funding, mentorship, and education for tech startups.
- UCF Business Incubation Program: One of the largest university-affiliated incubators in the Southeast, supporting startups with office space, mentorship, and access to university resources.
- VentureScaleUp: Focuses on high-growth, scalable startups, providing mentorship, workshops, and investor connections.
- GuideWell Innovation: Specializes in healthtech, offering an 8-week accelerator with access to healthcare industry leaders and resources.
- Burnout Game Ventures: Supports game development startups with funding, mentorship, and publishing support.
- Goldstein Accelerator: Provides capital and mentorship for technology startups, with a focus on economic impact.
- Rally: The Social Enterprise Accelerator: Supports social impact startups with a 16-week program, mentorship, and access to funding.
- National Entrepreneur Center: Offers business support, training, and resources for entrepreneurs at all stages.
- Prospera: Focused on Hispanic entrepreneurs, providing business assistance, training, and access to capital.
- SBDC Central Florida: Offers free business consulting, training, and resources for small businesses and startups.
For a full list of 27+ accelerators and incubators in Orlando, see Starter Story’s 2025 Guide.
Key Events and Founder Groups in Orlando
Orlando’s startup ecosystem is vibrant and collaborative, offering founders a wealth of opportunities to connect, learn, and grow. Whether you’re seeking funding, mentorship, or peer support, the city’s events, accelerators, and founder groups are essential resources for any entrepreneur looking to scale a business in Central Florida.
- Orlando Magic Venture Challenge: A high-profile pitch competition and showcase, the Orlando Magic Venture Challenge brings together early-stage startups, investors, and corporate partners. Winners receive funding, mentorship, and access to the Magic’s extensive business network. This event is a must for founders in sports, health, and entertainment tech.
- StarterStudio Demo Days: StarterStudio, one of Orlando’s leading accelerators, hosts regular Demo Days where founders pitch to investors, mentors, and the broader community. These events are ideal for networking and gaining exposure to local VCs and angel investors.
- UCF Business Incubation Program Showcases: The University of Central Florida’s incubator program regularly features pitch events and showcases, connecting founders with investors, advisors, and potential partners.
- Orlando WEB3 Tech and Beer: A community of Web3 tech and data enthusiasts that are passionate about driving change and challenging the status quo through innovation.
- Orlando Devs: A large community of software developers and tech professionals, offering meetups, hackathons, and online forums.
- 1 Million Cups Orlando: A weekly event where founders present their startups to a supportive audience and receive feedback and advice.
- Synapse Orlando: A major annual innovation summit featuring panels, workshops, and networking with Florida’s top tech leaders.
- Orlando Startup Weekend: A 54-hour event where founders, developers, and designers team up to launch new ventures.
- The Pride Chamber: Orlando’s LGBTQ+ chamber of commerce, supporting LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs with networking, advocacy, and business resources.
- NAWBO Orlando: The local chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners, providing support, advocacy, and networking for women entrepreneurs.
Resource: For a comprehensive list of national and global startup events, see RocketDevs’ 56 Must-Attend 2025 Startup Events.
Connect With Investors in Orlando Using Visible
At Visible, we often times compare a fundraise to a B2B sales and marketing funnel. At the top of your funnel, you are finding new investors. In the middle, you are nurturing and pitching potential investors. At the bottom of the funnel, you are working through diligence and ideally closing new investors.
With the introduction of data rooms, you can now manage every aspect of your fundraising funnel with Visible.
- Find investors at the top of your funnel with our free investor database, Visible Connect and find a filtered list of Orlando's investors here.
- Track your conversations and move them through your funnel with our Fundraising CRM
- Share your pitch deck and monthly updates with potential investors
- Organize and share your most vital fundraising documents with data rooms
Manage your fundraise from start to finish with Visible. Give it a free try for 14 days here.
