Florida Fund Supports New Tech Ventures

Florida’s tech scene is gaining momentum, with the Gold Coast Tech Accelerator backing new ventures in the state. David Rogove, a serial entrepreneur, relocated to Parkland, Florida, almost seven years ago and has since launched several successful companies, including Maestro, which applies agentic AI to the mortgage process for brokers.

Rogove was advised to join the Gold Coast Tech Accelerator by friend and local angel investor Joe Roos. The accelerator, which operates under the Florida Council of 100, a nonprofit made up of more than 200 of the state’s top CEOs, is part of a marketing initiative backed by Miami Dolphins owner and Miami Grand Prix chairman Stephen M. Ross and Citadel’s Ken Griffin, totaling $10 million.

Melissa Medina, CEO and co-founder of eMerge Americas, Miami’s premier tech organization, says the ecosystem is taking a step further with the accelerator’s support. Medina has 20 years of experience in Miami’s tech industry and has seen its startup ecosystem evolve.

Medina recognizes that the influx of corporate wealth into Florida validates her organization’s longtime investment in Miami’s tech sector. The foundation is solid, and the excitement and opportunity in the next five years is significant, according to Medina.

Last year, 20 startups participated in two programs: fintech in West Palm Beach and defense tech in Miami. Of those, three out-of-state companies relocated to Florida after completing the program, and others attracted funding and business development opportunities.

Rogove raised $400,000 from Worcester Investments, increasing Maestro’s total raised to $1.6 million. The company is preparing to grow the team and release its first product in the fourth quarter. Rogove appreciates the value of the accelerator and says Miami is no longer a secondary hub, as it is now teeming with venture capitalists and opportunities, particularly in fintech and defense.

Jenna Landry, co-founder and chief commercial officer of Extremis Systems, a materials science company, agrees. After spending a few years working in experiential marketing in Miami, Landry left the city and teamed up with her co-founder Zack Spencer to build Sacramento-based Extremis, which produces lightweight defense gear for the military.

Landry says the company’s unique product offerings attracted customers and it had strong distribution, but needed to scale. She discovered the Gold Coast Tech Accelerator program through a Miami tech newsletter and convinced Spencer to relocate to Tampa for the eight-week program.

Landry says the accelerator provided direct access to decision makers in the U.S. Defense Innovation Unit program. Its advisers provided critical insights into the federal government’s Small Business Innovation Research program for nondilutive capital.

Beyond funding, the program opened partnership opportunities with other cohort members.

For Rogove, the accelerator helped with some of the follow along funding. As the inaugural cohort scales its businesses, the accelerator is preparing to welcome its next class and has recently opened applications for the 2026 program.

The deadline for applications is August 21, 2026.