The development of an innovation economy in Gainesville makes perfect sense. Great talent and entrepreneurial ideas continue to flow from our world-class universities and colleges, and how to keep that talent in our community is one of the primary focuses of Innovation Gainesville (iG) and the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber is focused on fostering growth and success of our local companies, and through iG, this focus has become a community-wide initiative.
One of the critical pieces needed to grow an innovation economy rests with our young entrepreneurs having access to capital and investment necessary to grow and remain in Gainesville. Just this past month, the University of Florida held its technology showcase called “A Celebration of Innovation.” During this event, early stage startup companies were showcased to investors from around the country to provide startups with the exposure they need to gain capital investment to bring technologies to market. In addition, a panel of CEOs and investors shared stories of how Gainesville has been fostering big investment deals for local startup companies.
Also featured at this event was our iG Angel Network, which is available directly through iG to provide companies capital investment from angel investors. The support of this funding initiative doesn’t stop there.
In July, the Chamber hosted an Investment Seminar, “Finding Cool Funding Sources,” which introduced speakers from several local establishments who have created opportunities for growing companies in need of funding.
One of these speakers, John Roberts, Vice President of Community Bank & Trust, offered advice and insight about the Rebuilding Economic Vitality (REV) loan. The REV loan came about after Roberts took part in numerous iG meetings and, with the help of leadership at Community Bank & Trust, was designed to revitalize the economy, create new jobs and serve the small businesses in our community. As of February, this loan has helped create approximately 35 jobs in the Alachua/Marion County area, and that figure is expected to continue to grow.
Other presenters at the July seminar included FloridaWorks, the Small Business Development Center at UNF and the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.
Through local investment opportunities and a community focused on fostering growth of our young entrepreneurs, our talent will remain in Gainesville, our economy will get stronger and our local businesses will continue to grow and thrive.
Tim Giuliani serves as President & CEO of the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce, its economic development arm, the Council for Economic Outreach and the community wide initiative to grow an environment to foster innovation and success, Innovation Gainesville. The Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce is five-star accredited by the United States Chamber of Commerce, putting it in the top 1 percent of all Chambers nationwide. Learn more at www.gainesvillechamber.com.