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Suncoast Venture Studio

Strong ventures start with a strong team

Founders/Executives

Travis Priest

Travis Priest

CEO

Will Dolan

Managing Partner

Paul Harder

Managing Partner

Dan Alpert

Marketing

Kumar Buvanendaran

Marketing

Studio Board of Directors

Travis Priest

Travis Priest

Bio

Will Dolan

Bio

Paul Harder

Bio

Dave Leland

Bio

Investment Advisory Board

Peter Offringa

Bio

Rachel Wei West

Bio

Michael Preble

Bio

Jim Medenis

Jim Medenis

Bio

Jeffrey Nuckols

Bio

Studio Advisors/Mentors

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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.

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Travis Priest

Serial Entrepreneur, 23 years experience, multiple successful exits. Angel investor and advisor

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.

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Will Dolan

Growth Leader with experience in executive leadership, turn around success and founding companies
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.

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Paul Harder

An experienced entrepreneur, growth leader, and mentor with deep roots in the Suncoast

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.

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Dave Leland

Twice-exited tech founder who built and sold a $40M SaaS logistics platform with purpose-driven innovation.

A technology innovator and two-time entrepreneur, I specialize in building behind-the-scenes solutions that make companies more efficient, compliant, and safe. I’ve launched and scaled two successful startups, including GroundCloud, a $40M SaaS logistics platform acquired by Descartes, by focusing on customer immersion, continuous improvement, and team-driven innovation. My leadership style is humble and people-first, and my work is fueled by a deep commitment to solving real problems with real impact. Inspired by a personal journey around transportation safety, I believe technology should empower, not endanger, those who rely on it.
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Peter Offringa

Tech exec turned investor; built 100+ teams, launched major platforms, and founded Software Stack Investing.

A seasoned technology executive, I’ve led large-scale software development across startups and public companies, building engineering teams of 100+ and launching consumer-facing platforms in social, e-commerce, and cloud infrastructure. With deep expertise in scalable systems, APIs, security, and DevOps, I’ve driven innovation at the technical and leadership levels. Now focused on investing, I founded Software Stack Investing to analyze trends in the software sector, advise hedge funds, and speak at top investor forums. I also serve as a startup advisor, angel investor, and guest lecturer at London Business School.
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Rachel Wei West

Innovative Leader with 25+ years scaling SaaS, AI, and marketplace startups.

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.
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Jim Medenis

Enterprise Growth Leader Driving $200M+ Revenue Across Emerging Tech Markets

A results-driven business and sales leader with 20+ years of experience in emerging tech and enterprise markets. Proven track record of opening new markets, launching products, scaling revenue beyond $200M, and leading high-performing teams of 100+. Expertise in enterprise sales, go-to-market strategy, channel partnerships, and complex negotiations. A successful entrepreneur with startup and turnaround experience, known for building enterprise-grade solutions that gain traction in Global 2000 and public sector organizations.
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Jeffrey Nuckols

Proven Tech Executive with $2B P&L Experience and a Focus on Innovation, M&A, and Digital Assets

Seasoned technology executive with $2B P&L experience across enterprise leaders like HPE, IBM, PwC, and Xerox, as well as high-growth startups. Proven track record driving innovation, M&A integration, and growth in hardware, software, services, and consulting. Deep expertise in financial services and emerging focus on blockchain and digital assets.