Shape the Next Great Company, right here in Florida
Meet our Team
Suncoast Venture Studio (SVS) is led by seasoned entrepreneurs, investors, and builders with a track record of exits, innovation, and ecosystem impact.
CEO: Travis Priest
Serial Entrepreneur, 23 years experience, multiple successful exits. Angel investor and advisor
Travis Priest
Serial Entrepreneur: Built and scaled startups like URLabs (acquired by Symantec) with multiple successful exits.
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.
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
Growth Leader with experience in executive leadership, turn around success and founding companies
Will Dolan
Growth Leader: Expert in fintech innovation, capital raising, M&As, and market expansion.
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.
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
Innovative Leader with 25+ years scaling SaaS, AI, and marketplace startups.
Rachel West
Innovative Leader: 25+ years scaling SaaS, AI, and marketplace startups.
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.
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
An experienced entrepreneur, growth leader, and mentor with deep roots in the Suncoast
Paul Harder
Entrepreneur: Led three successful exits, including acquisitions by Ford and Cott.
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.
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.
Get Involved
We’re building venture-scale startups from the ground up, backed by capital, talent, and proven frameworks – right here in Florida. Whether you’re a founder, operator, or investor, this is your chance to help shape the future of innovation without leaving the state. Let’s build what’s next – together.
Building Florida's
Venture CoastTM
Join us in building ventures that transform ideas into impact, driving economic growth and community resilience in Southwest Florida.
