How to Raise Capital Beyond Your Backyard: Recap of the Startup Investment Workshop with Starter Studio
If you're building a startup in Orlando, Tampa, or anywhere across Central Florida, you already know the regional funding landscape looks different than Silicon Valley or New York. That's exactly why Building Our Tech (BOT) partnered with Starter Studio to host a hands-on startup investment workshop designed to help founders in the Florida tech community raise capital from outside their local market while walking away with a smarter, more sustainable growth strategy.
Whether you missed the event on August 5, 2026, or you want a refresher, here's a full recap of the biggest takeaways from the session, plus insights straight from our two guest speakers, Jehue Francois, Building Our Tech Startup Director, Spencer Elliott, CEO & Startup Founder Investor, and Marc Antoine, Venture Capitalist.
Why This Workshop Mattered for Central Florida Founders
Central Florida's startup ecosystem is growing fast, but access to capital, especially outside of Orlando, Tampa, and Miami, can still be a challenge for early-stage founders. This workshop was built to close that gap, giving local entrepreneurs practical, real-world strategies for fundraising, networking, and positioning their startups to investors who may be based hundreds (or thousands) of miles away.
Below are the key talking points our speakers covered, broken down to help you start applying them to your own fundraising strategy today.
Key Takeaways from the Workshop
1. Audit the Value of Your Accelerator
Not every accelerator program is created equal, and founders should be honest with themselves about what they're actually getting out of it. Ask yourself:
Are you being given real homework and actionable milestones?
Are you being challenged to grow, or did you forget you're even supposed to show up?
What do alumni testimonials and outcomes actually look like?
If a program isn't pushing you or delivering measurable value, it's okay to walk away. Your time and energy are capital too; spend them where they compound.
2. Whatever Number You're Asking For, It's Probably Too Small
One of the most repeated pieces of advice from the session was that founders consistently underestimate their ask. Investors expect founders to think bigger, and asking for too little can signal a lack of ambition or planning. Do the math on your runway, your hiring needs, and your growth targets, then raise accordingly.
3. Don't Go on a Hiring Spree
Fresh funding can create the temptation to scale your team quickly. Instead, be intentional and disciplined with your budget. Knowing when to scale and properly allocating capital is what builds a defensible, fundable business.
4. Shout It From the Rooftops
Visibility is a growth strategy. Talk about your startup at every opportunity, whether it’s in line at coffee shops, at networking events, on panels, or in casual conversations. You never know who you'll run into, and every conversation is a potential warm introduction to your next investor, customer, or employee.
5. Know Your Niche
Not every region is the right fit for every industry. In Central Florida, for example, Orlando's strongest sectors include:
Defense (DoD)
Healthcare
Tourism & Hospitality
Aerospace & Space Technology
If your startup doesn't fall into one of these core Orlando industries, it may be worth identifying and networking with experts in larger markets that align more closely with your niche. Building relationships within the right ecosystem can significantly accelerate your traction.
6. Small Checks Build Momentum for Bigger Ones
Securing smaller checks early on isn't just about the money; it's also about proof. Once you have investors on your cap table, future investors see validation, not risk. Showing that others have already believed in your startup makes it significantly easier to close larger rounds down the line.
Speaker Spotlight: Spencer Elliott & Marc Antoine
Speakers
We were fortunate to have two experienced voices in the Orlando startup and investment space join Jehue to lead this workshop:
“Orlando is the home of Mickey Mouse, which means people are not easily impressed; you have to be an excellent storyteller.”
“I noticed that people shy away from their numbers; be honest and talk about them head-on.”
Final Thoughts: Building a Stronger Florida Startup Ecosystem
Events like this are part of BOT's broader mission to empower individuals across the Central Florida tech community to learn, build, and scale, whether that's through hands-on workshops, mentorship, or strategic partnerships like this one with Starter Studio. If you're a founder in Orlando, Tampa, Miami, or anywhere in Florida looking to raise capital, expand your network, or simply level up your startup strategy, keep an eye out for our upcoming events. The startup scene is growing, and the more founders raise their ambitions (and their asks), the stronger our regional ecosystem becomes.
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