Startup companies are having the most difficulty attracting venture funds, the survey finds. The majority of the investors are putting their money in ventures closer to home where they can better monitor the progress of a new company.
The $81.4 million investment in new Florida firms represents 1.3% of the total venture capital funds committed nationally in the first quarter. Nationally, funds were down 50% from first quarter 2001.
Central Florida firms winning investors' interests are Chronic Care Solutions, Clearwater, $18.6 million; Intellon Corp., Ocala, $10 million; Solicore, Lakeland, $7 million; Cytura Corp., Heathrow, $1.25 million; Purilens Inc., Tampa, $417,000; Gold Coast Restaurants, $400,000; and Xytrans, Orlando, $333,000.
Other Florida businesses receiving assistance were Naviant Inc., Boca Raton, $30 million; Copharos Inc., Point Vedra Beach, $2.5 million; CyLex Systems, Boca Raton, $3 million; eAppealSolutions Inc., Miami Beach, $2.5 million; Hostopia, Fort Lauderdale, $5 million; LearnSomething.com, Tallahassee, $400,000.
© Touchpoint Markets, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to asset-and-logo-licensing@alm.com. For more inforrmation visit Asset & Logo Licensing.
