Florida's Most Active VC Fund Taps Dragonfly Operating Partners to Embed Operators Across Its Startup Portfolio
Alliance adds hands-on operating muscle to accelerate growth, extend runway, and boost returns for the Southeast's most active venture firm.
TAMPA, Fla., July 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Dragonfly Operating Partners (DragonflyOP), an execution-led growth services firm that embeds seasoned founders inside VC-backed startups, today announced a strategic partnership with Florida Funders (FLF), the Southeast's leading early-stage venture capital firm. The alliance gives FLF portfolio companies on-demand access to DragonflyOP's KPI-driven operating model, shortening the path to exit or the next funding milestone.
Founded by repeat entrepreneurs Jim Barnish and James Burnes, DragonflyOP places fractional Operating Partners directly inside startups tied to aggressive KPIs.
Since the pilot phase began, early engagements have produced:
- $5 million in new pipeline unlocked through AI-driven GTM redesigns
- 30 percent burn-rate reduction, extending runway to critical milestones
- Sales cycles cut in half via optimized revenue operations
"At DragonflyOP we don't coach from the sidelines, we suit up and get in the game," said Jim Barnish, Managing Partner at DragonflyOP. "As partners with Florida Funders, we're turning every VC dollar into tangible, repeatable results that drive shareholder value."
How the Partnership Works
- Value-Creation Blueprint™: A 6-week diagnostic sprint uncovers growth bottlenecks across product, GTM, and/or operations.
- Embedded Operators: Fractional executives join startup teams, working side-by-side to execute on defined KPIs.
- Two-Week Sprints & Dashboards: Transparent cadence ensures rapid iteration, measurable impact and investor-ready reporting.
For founders, the partnership delivers the operational firepower to match ambition; for LPs, it creates higher-performing assets and a clearer path to liquidity; for VCs, it offers a blueprint for execution-led value creation.
"Their operators don't just advise," said Jim Schimpf, Founder & CEO of Chattr.
"They partnered with us on our go-to-market overhaul, and we increased pipeline by 350%+, slashed our CAC, and accelerated revenue."
About Dragonfly Operating Partners
DragonflyOP is an execution-first venture builder that embeds proven startup leaders into VC-backed, B2B technology companies from Seed to Series B. Working in two-week sprints, DragonflyOP drives GTM, product, and operational excellence to unlock scale, speed, and shareholder value. Learn more at www.dragonflyop.com.
About Florida Funders
Florida Funders is the Southeast's most active early-stage tech investment firm and accredited-investor network. With more than $300 million deployed to over 100 companies, FLF's mission is to find, fund and build the next generation of breakout tech founders. Visit www.floridafunders.com to learn more.
SOURCE Dragonfly Operating Partners
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