Building Florida's
Venture CoastTM
Join us in building ventures that transform ideas into impact, driving economic growth and community resilience in Southwest Florida.
Our Mission
Suncoast Venture Studio is driving economic diversification in Southwest Florida.
Our mission is to create, support, and scale innovative ventures that address significant market gaps while fostering the economic growth and diversification of Sarasota and Southwest Florida. By leveraging a hybrid venture studio and incubator model, we provide comprehensive operational, strategic, and financial support to both internally ideated startups and founder-led businesses.
Our approach integrates rigorous market research, founder placement, and resource optimization to ensure the long-term success of each venture. In doing so, we aim to build a thriving local economy, enhance community infrastructure, and deliver meaningful financial returns for our private investors.
Place
Florida's Suncoast is uniquely positioned for a technology explosion
Innovation Hub
At the Forefront of Technology: Sarasota, in Florida's High Tech Corridor, is a growing tech hub. Suncoast Studio leverages its location's research, talent, and networks to transform ideas into successful businesses.
Place
Where Ideas Come to Life: Our collaborative workspace sparks innovation and builds partnerships. It's a vibrant hub where founders, mentors, and experts share knowledge, driving collective success and turning ambitious goals into reality.
Beaches
A Source of Inspiration: Sarasota’s white sands and turquoise waters are more than a beautiful setting; they inspire creativity and provide a peaceful escape that refreshes the mind, fueling the innovation behind our ventures.
Arts
Cultural Vibrancy: The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall reflects Sarasota’s strong commitment to the arts. This vibrant cultural scene nurtures creativity, diversity, and expression, key to developing innovative ideas and solutions.
The Case for a Studio
Traditional startup incubators often struggle in smaller markets, as they depend on a steady flow of qualified applicants. Similarly, accelerators may face challenges retaining businesses in the region after the program ends, as founders often move to larger markets for better opportunities.
A venture studio offers a transformative solution by anchoring businesses to the local ecosystem. Instead of waiting for entrepreneurs to arrive with their ideas, a studio proactively creates ventures aligned with the region’s unique resources and opportunities. This ensures businesses are not only launched but are also deeply rooted in the community, fostering long-term economic growth and sustainability.
With a studio model, we have greater control over the portfolio of businesses we create and invest in. We can deliberately design startups to thrive within Sarasota’s vibrant yet developing tech ecosystem. By pairing entrepreneurial talent with the experience and expertise of local mentors, we ensure every company is set up to succeed and remain in the region, contributing to its economic and social fabric.
It's about the team.
We believe that exceptional founders reach their highest potential when supported by an equally exceptional team. Sarasota & the Suncoast is home to an extraordinary concentration of successful innovators, seasoned operators, and retired senior executives—individuals with a wealth of experience and a desire to pass on their knowledge to the next generation of entrepreneurs. This unique community offers a rich reservoir of wisdom and expertise.
Suncoast Venture Studio brings these accomplished professionals together to invest in, mentor, and advise our founders at every stage of their journey. By uniting fresh entrepreneurial talent with proven industry veterans, we create a collaborative environment where knowledge is shared, and ideas thrive. Our founders are not alone in navigating the complexities of building a business; they have access to a network of experts dedicated to their success.
Meet the Management Team
CEO: Travis Priest
Travis Priest
EIR & Mentor: Guides and invests in startups as Vocap EIR and Bridge Angel Investors member.
Technical Expert: Holds 3 fintech patents, excelling in product management and strategic partnerships.
Board Advisor: Advises future tech leaders on the CS Advisory Board at Old Dominion University.
COO: Will Dolan
Will Dolan
Executive Leadership: President at TAPP Engine, leading sales, fundraising, and banking, securing a Series A raise in 2024.
Turnaround Success: Doubled revenue and led the sale of Fidelity Corporate Actions Solutions.
Founder: Built Fidelity Clearing Canada, managing $275B in assets today.
Rachel West
Rachel West
Diverse Expertise: Partnered with global leaders and led startups like Anchor and Boatsetter.
Passionate Investor: Focused on diverse founders and enduring business models, blending strategic thinking and operational rigor.
Advisor & Board Member: Actively supports AI-driven and science-based startups as an investor and board director.
Paul Harder
Paul Harder
Growth Leader: Scaled EBITDA from $28M to $84M and drove SaaS healthcare startup acquisition.
Mentor: Advises startups and invests through Bridge Angel Investors.
Community Advocate: Active in Sarasota’s development with his wife, Barbara.
Building Florida's Venture CoastTM
Join us in building ventures that transform ideas into impact, driving economic growth and community resilience in Southwest Florida.
