Florida State University will host two major venture capital firms, Florida Funders and DeepWork Capital, during its upcoming Discovery Days. The event is a weeklong celebration focused on research and innovation at the university.
Kathy Chiu, managing partner of DeepWork Capital, and Zach Brodsky, senior investments associate at Florida Funders, are scheduled to participate in several activities on October 21. They will provide fundraising advice to local startup founders during a panel discussion titled “Capital Florida: VC & Angel Funding for Sunshine State Tech Startups” at the IGNITE Tallahassee Grand Opening in the morning. Later that day, both will serve as judges for the third annual Discovery Challenge pitch competition, where startup companies based on FSU research present their ideas.
DeepWork Capital manages multiple private funds as well as the state’s Florida Opportunity Fund. The firm focuses on founder support and invests across sectors such as enterprise IT, deep tech, and life sciences. Its work has contributed to growth in underfunded regions by helping more startups gain access to investment opportunities.
Florida Funders combines a venture fund with an extensive angel investor network and is considered one of the most active VC firms in Florida. The firm has invested in over 120 startups from fields including financial technology, artificial intelligence, health technology, and digital media.
The presence of these firms is expected to benefit Tallahassee’s startup community by providing access to potential funding sources for new technologies or business expansion.
“We are thrilled to welcome Florida Funders and DeepWork Capital to Discovery Days,” said Valerie L. McDevitt, associate vice president of Strategic Partnerships and Innovation at FSU. “Their participation not only elevates the Discovery Challenge pitch competition but also connects our innovators with investors who are actively growing Florida’s startup ecosystem.”
Discovery Days features events aimed at students, faculty members, entrepreneurs, and community partners. Activities include an incubator grand opening and pitch competition along with programs ranging from science demonstrations for children to discussions about public health and artificial intelligence.
The IGNITE Tallahassee facility will open on October 21 at 9 a.m., showcasing its 40,000-square-foot space dedicated to moving new technologies from laboratory research into commercial markets. Attendees can meet current incubator companies and learn about regional entrepreneurship resources.
Later that day at 3 p.m., FSU startups will compete in the Discovery Challenge for $50,000 in prizes before investors at the Augustus B. Turnbull III Conference Center.
Registration is now open for both events.
