How To Apply
Applying to Present at the i2 Capital Accelerator Showcase
On September 21, 2012, the Technological Research and Development Authority (TRDA), in cooperation with Space Florida, will host the second annual I2 Capital Acceleration Showcase at the Florida Hotel in Orlando, FL. The I2 Capital Acceleration Showcase will feature business presentations from ten growth-oriented, venture-ready technology companies that will be selected to compete for a $100,000 prize sponsored by Space Florida. The company presentations will be made to a targeted audience of venture capitalists, investment bankers, angel investors, government officials and economic development stakeholders. An additional ten companies will be selected to showcase their products in the I2 Showcase exhibition hall alongside the presenting companies.
Eligible companies must provide a product or service in one of these industries: Aerospace/Aviation, Biotechnology, Medical Devices, Clean Technology, Alternative/Renewable Energy, Defense/Homeland Security, Software/IT, Simulation/Gaming, Internet/Mobile Apps, or Telecommunications. Companies will be selected on the following criteria: a strong market need, a unique value to their chosen marketplace, investment readiness, the potential for superior investor ROI, a sound business model that is revenue-driven, and a quality team with relevant industry experience.
A Special Session – The Cleantech Ventures Showcase
The I2 Capital Acceleration Showcase will also include the I2 Cleantech Ventures presentation session. Ten Cleantech/Alternative Energy companies will be selected to present to the same audience of investors at the I2 Showcase. All companies will first be evaluated for the $100,000 prize session. Cleantech/Alternative Energy applicants not selected for the prize session will automatically be considered for the Cleantech Ventures session. The application, selection criteria and mentoring process is the same for both sessions, but Cleantech Ventures presenters are not eligible for the $100,000 prize.
How To Apply To Present at the I2 Capital Acceleration Showcase
Applications for the I2 Capital Acceleration Showcase must be submitted online HERE. Companies should, at a minimum, fill out the Company Profile, Business Summary, and Financial Information sections. Applications that do not provide complete financial information (Revenues, Expenses, Headcount, etc) for 2011-2015 will not be reviewed. Applicants can optionally upload investor slide presentations, executive summaries and other supporting materials via this website.
The deadline for applications is Friday June 1st, 2012. Applicants selected for both showcase sessions will be notified no later than June 18th. Companies selected to compete for the $100,000 prize will be required to attend a mandatory one-day kickoff boot camp in late June at the TRDA in Melbourne, FL. Cleantech Ventures presenters are invited to optionally attend the boot camp.
What Is the Selection Process?
All submitted application materials will be evaluated by the I2 Investor Review Board that is comprised of venture capitalists, industry experts, experienced technology entrepreneurs, and representatives from TRDA and Space Florida. The I2 Investor Review Board will select the most promising companies from the perspective of investor ROI for both the $100,000 prize competition and Cleantech Ventures.
How Does the I2 Mentoring Work?
All companies selected to present are required to actively participate in three months of mentoring provided by TRDA’s mentor network, which consists of seasoned startup executives and investors that understand the capital raising process. TRDA mentors will assist selected companies with business strategy, financial pro forma development and investor presentations. The mentoring process will kick off on June 25th. Most of the mentoring can be done virtually, but companies selected to compete for the $100,000 prize will be required to attend a mandatory kickoff boot camp the last week of June. Cleantech Ventures presenters are invited to optionally attend the boot camp, but are required to participate in the mentoring process.
What is the Cost to Participate?
There is no cost to apply, present or exhibit at the I2 Capital Acceleration Showcase. Selected companies can bring up to two company executives to the showcase. Additional attendees will need to pay the standard conference attendee fees.
Questions?
Contact Brenda McMillan at bmcmillan@trda.org or (321) 872-1050 x103 for further details or questions.
Applying to the i2 Capital Accelerator Quarterly Programs
In addition to our annual showcase, we offer ongoing i2 Capital Accelerator sessions throughout the year. These sessions include a mandatory kickoff business boot camp, intensive 1:1 mentoring over a three month period, and an “investor day” during which you will present your company to a panel of angel and venture capitalists for feedback. Companies are expected to actively participate in all required activities.
The first step for companies interested in participating in our next i2 Capital Accelerator session is to submit an online application and a 3-5 page Executive Summary. We are seeking companies headquartered in Florida that have the potential to grow revenues to over $10M within a 5-7 year time frame. Companies selected to participate can span from the “Proof of Concept” stage through the “Growth” stage. While the i2 Accelerator strives to support any Florida-based technology company with high growth potential, we are particularly interested in early-stage companies with products in the following industry segments:
- Internet/Media/Mobile Apps
- Gaming and Simulation
- Information Technology and Software
- Clean Technology
- Biotechnology and Medical Devices
- Defense and Homeland Security
- Aerospace
- Telecommunications
If you are not sure whether you meet our criteria, go ahead and apply anyway. We can quickly guide you to a rich array of partners that are on-call to assist with all types of Florida-based businesses.
