Florida's Business Leaders Launch the Gold Coast Tech Accelerator Program in the Next Global Tech Hub

Where Innovation Meets Opportunity in Southeast Florida

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. and MIAMI, Aug. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Gold Coast Tech Accelerator Program is a newly announced innovation program in the new epicenter of a technology revolution along Florida's Southeast coast from Miami to West Palm Beach. This collaborative initiative driven by The Florida Council of 100 and its Foundation, eMerge Americas, and Related Ross, will launch this fall featuring exclusive 8-week hybrid accelerator programs for FinTech and Dual-Use & Defense Tech startups. Each program is designed to connect participants with valued resources and access to mentorship from some of the top CEOs and business leaders within Florida's dynamic economy.

The FinTech program will leverage Related Ross' footprint in West Palm Beach, with generous space contributed to this program. The Dual-Use & Defense Tech program will take place in Miami, specifically supporting startups focused on disruptive government contracting industries, with space contributed by The LAB Miami located in the heart of Wynwood.

"The accelerator program illustrates our commitment and positions Florida as a leading hub for tech-driven global business, particularly along the Gold Coast corridor from Miami to West Palm Beach," said Stephen Ross, CEO of Related Ross. "We are witnessing a dynamic technology surge in this region, with more Fortune 500 tech companies considering South Florida as their next expansion opportunity. As a member of The Florida Council of 100, the Related Ross team is proud to partner with eMerge Americas and Melissa Medina to launch this intense accelerator program."

It is anticipated 10-12 startups will be accepted into each track of the program. The benefits include:

• Elite Mentorship: Direct access to top CEOs, investors, and industry leaders.
• Corporate Partnerships: Pilot and scale with leading enterprises.
• Market Access: Leverage Florida's thriving ecosystem for growth and customer acquisition.
• Investor Network: Connect with Florida's vast investor community.
• Office space: Meeting and collaboration space provided at no cost to participants.

"Companies can scale here and expand across the state learning ways to navigate various regions with advice from some of the brightest business minds in the world," said Michael Simas, President & CEO of The Florida Council of 100. "This is an opportunity of a lifetime for a startup looking to advance in a state with significant and consistent economic development."

Florida's economic growth has soared over the past five years, specifically, in the Gold Coast of Florida, which has become a global hub for tech and investment innovation. This corridor of explosive growth connects Florida's deep economic strengths including finance, healthcare, logistics, and dual-use & defense with the latest advancements in AI, FinTech, smart infrastructure, and digital transformation.

Florida ranks second in the nation for Finance and Insurance GDP growth over the last 5 years, surpassing New York and California. The same is true for the Defense industry in Florida, which ranks second in the nation in manufacturing of defense systems and aerospace products and has an economic impact of more than $100 billion annually.

"This kind of opportunity can change the trajectory of a startup," said Melissa Medina, CEO & Co-founder of eMerge Americas. "It's not often one gets access to the vast knowledge and experience of more than 200 CEOs who can lead you on a fast track to growth and success. I am thrilled to be partnering with Related Ross and The Florida Council of 100 to launch this one-of-a-kind program."

The program includes an exclusive Demo Day session where standout startups pitch their vision to members of The Florida Council of 100, an organization of over 200 business leaders of Florida-based businesses. Those who participate in the program will also have access to eMerge's invitation-only Tech Basel Miami AI Summit on December 3.

To qualify for a spot in the program, your company must be a startup with a demonstrable product that is ready to scale with corporate partnerships and is open to expanding its footprint in Florida for long-term growth. Applications open on August 15. Visit goldcoasttechfl.com to sign up for alerts and apply.

About The Florida Council of 100 and The Florida Council of 100 Foundation
The Florida Council of 100 is a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization of business leaders dedicated to improving Florida's quality of life and economic well-being. Founded in 1961 at the request of Governor Farris Bryant, the Council serves as a trusted advisor to Florida's elected officials and policymakers. Its membership represents over 200 companies employing more than 1.3 million Floridians, collectively shaping the state's future through business-driven policy solutions and direct economic impact initiatives. The Florida Council of 100 Foundation is the Council's nonprofit affiliate, focused on research, education, and strategic initiatives that support long-term economic growth and prosperity across Florida. The Foundation plays a key role in identifying opportunities, funding forward-thinking programs, and driving collaborative partnerships to strengthen Florida's talent pipeline and innovation economy. For more information about The Florida Council of 100, visit www.fc100.org.

About eMerge Americas
eMerge Americas is a strategic convener and catalyst for innovation, bringing together global enterprises, startups, investors, and government leaders to accelerate advancements across AI, Finance, Health, and National Security. Through year-round programming and its annual tech conference + expo in Miami, eMerge drives transformative ideas to market and strengthens industries through connection, capital, and collaboration. Since 2014, the global tech conference + expo has attracted 20,000+ attendees annually from over 50 countries and catalyzed billions in venture investment.

About Related Ross
Led by visionary developer Stephen Ross, Related Ross is a fully integrated real estate firm with unparalleled expertise in development operations and community building. For more than 25 years, the company has led the transformation of West Palm Beach into one of the fastest growing cities in the nation in which to live, work, play and visit. Related Ross leads the market in Class A office space with over 2.8M square feet of existing commercial holdings built and under construction, with an additional 1.5M square feet in development. Known for luxury residential buildings, Related Ross is introducing a new class of rentals and condos to the market including The Laurel, South Flagler House, and Shorecrest. The company also developed and owns the most celebrated mixed-use destinations in the region including CityPlace – the most visited neighborhood in the city, fostering culture and enriching the community with lush green spaces, a diverse mix of experiential retail and culinary offerings, the largest concentration of public art installed by a private company in Palm Beach County, educational programming and modern residences. Related Ross is also the developer behind Hilton West Palm Beach, RH West Palm and the forthcoming Wellington development. Driven by a vision of inclusive growth for Palm Beach County, Related Ross is committed to ensuring that the region's economic expansion benefits all communities. In support of this mission, the company established The Related Ross Foundation, a nonprofit foundation funded by Stephen Ross and Related Ross, to accelerate economic mobility and expand opportunities in historically underserved neighborhoods of downtown West Palm Beach, including the Historic Northwest, Coleman Park, and Pleasant City. The Related Ross Foundation invests in education, housing, employment, healthcare, arts, and digital access, highlighted by initiatives such as the Emerging Scholars Program at Palm Beach State College, which provides tuition-free degrees and mentorship for local students. As South Florida evolves into a premier business and cultural hub, Related Ross continues to shape a dynamic, integrated urban core while advancing a model of shared prosperity and social impact for all residents of the region. For more information about Related Ross, please visit www.relatedross.com

SOURCE eMerge Americas