Stories of Technology, Innovation, & Entrepreneurship in the Southeast

Google AI Futures Fund:

Google has launched the AI Futures Fund to invest in and collaborate with ambitious start-ups. This program will give start-ups at various growth stages early access to Google DeepMind’s latest AI models as well as resources, technical expertise, and equity funding to accelerate their progress.

Start-ups working with the AI Futures Fund will receive the following:

1. Early access to select AI models from Google DeepMind: This includes some of the company’s most advanced artificial intelligence (AI) models like Gemini, Imagen for image generation, and Veo for video generation.
2. Collaboration with Google experts: Start-ups get hands-on support from researchers, engineers, product managers, designers, and go-to-market specialists from Google DeepMind and Google Labs.
3. Google Cloud credits and support: The program provides Cloud credits and dedicated technical support from our Cloud experts to help build, train, and scale AI-powered products ¹ .
4. Equity investment: Select start-ups get the opportunity to seek direct investment from Google to fuel growth and scale AI development.

The AI Futures Fund is open to companies anywhere Gemini is available, and Google says it is looking for start-ups that want to build the future of AI with us. Applications are being accepted at this link.

Florida Funders Rebrand:

Florida Funders, the Southeast’s most active early stage tech investment firm for nearly a decade, has unveiled a bold new brand identity that reflects its remarkable transformation—from a small crowdfunding platform in 2016 to a market-leading hybrid venture capital firm and investor network helping to shape the future of the United States innovation economy.

Founded with a vision to make Florida a global tech hub, FLF has always believed the Sunshine State is more than just beaches, tourism, and retirement—it’s fertile ground for the next generation of tech titans. The firm’s rebranding underscores its enduring commitment to finding, funding, and building game-changing technology companies in Florida, the Southeast, and beyond.

From those humble beginnings, FLF has emerged as a dominant force in the Southeast’s early stage investment landscape. The firm has invested more than $300 million into promising start-ups across industries like digital health, fintech, enterprise software, artificial intelligence, sports, and EdTech. FLF’s investor network of more than 2,000 accredited investors continues to grow, and its multiple venture funds have positioned it at the forefront of tech investing across the region.

South Loop Ventures:

Houston-based South Loop Ventures recently closed its debut fund for more than $21 million, led by investments from Rice Management Company and Chevron Technology Ventures.

The funds will go toward teams with at least one underrepresented founder of color working in the energy, health, space, sports, and fintech sectors. Additional investments came from The Great Commission Foundation of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas, Texas CapitalBank, and other organizations.

According to South Loop Ventures, less than three percent of venture capital reaches underrepresented founders of color. Zach Ellis Jr., Founder and General Partner of South Loop, says the firm wants to address this “billion-dollar blind spot.”

“Inequitable distribution of venture capital represents a clear market inefficiency—and market inefficiencies translate into exceptional opportunities,” Ellis said.

Zeal Capital Partners:

Zeal Capital Partners, a Washington, DC-based venture capital firm, announced the successful close of Zeal Fund II. This milestone brings Zeal’s total assets under management to $186 million across three funds, underscoring the firm’s disciplined approach to identifying and scaling high-potential opportunities across financial technology, healthcare, and the future of learning and work. In just five years, Zeal Capital Partners has established itself as a leading early stage, category-specific investment platform at the intersection of these critical sectors.

The close of Zeal Fund II marks a significant expansion of the firm’s institutional investor base. Zeal’s limited partners now include Citi Impact Fund, M&T Bank, MassMutual, Wells Fargo, Zaffre Investments, and Spelman College. This milestone demonstrates strong alignment with leading financial institutions, university endowments, pension funds, healthcare and insurance companies, and general partners from some of the most respected venture capital firms, including Scott Sandell, Executive Chairman and Chief Investment Officer at NEA, and Jason Green, Founder and General Partner (Emeritus) of Emergence. Notably, nearly 80 percent of Zeal’s Fund I investors, including Capricorn Investment Group and Hampton University, continued their investment partnership in Zeal Fund II.

Zeal Fund II will invest in approximately 25 early stage companies over a four-year investment period, with a strategy designed to lead or co-lead seed stage financings. The mandate will target initial check sizes between $1 million and $2.3 million, with the option to serve on the Board of Directors when appropriate to support the growth of portfolio companies. In addition, Zeal Fund II will reserve 50% of its committed capital for follow-on investments, ensuring the firm can continue backing its highest-performing companies through subsequent stages of scale.

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