J. David Armstrong, JR.
Student
venture fund
Overview
Who is eligible?
Anyone who has completed the Idea Lab’s toolkit or the Start-Up Now program is eligible to pitch for funding, assuming they have met the funding criteria outlined below. Click here to view criteria!
Why the venture fund?
The JDA Venture Fund offers the unique opportunity to pitch for funding in front of investors. The venture fund exists solely to help launch your start-up idea.
our goal is to help student entrepreneurs convert their ideas into successful businesses
A word from j. david armstrong, jr.
our Mission
Programs provide proven methodology, mentorship and networking with the entrepreneurial and venture communities, as well as practical management and marketing expertise that can transform student ideas into successful companies which will grow and hire in Broward County.
The Fund makes several investments per year and, through partnerships with our “Founding Members”, provides access to angel investors and introductions to venture capital firms. The Fund will recycle investment returns from the successful sale of portfolio companies back into the Fund to finance future ventures.
By the numbers
800+
Students, entrepreneurs and faculty who've partipated in BCEx initiatives since our 2018 launch.
500k
In seed money is available to BCEx participants who meet all JDA Venture Fund requirements.
50+
Events a year, including meet-ups, speaker series, workshops, pitch events and networking opportunities.
FUND YOUR IDEAS HERE
Venture Funding Criteria
Qualified mentors and facilitators evaluate and score applications prior to additional screenings and consultation leading toward investment. The fund provides several investments annually along with exposure to angel investors and venture capital firms.
Here’s what’s required to pitch for funding
- Applicants must have completed or be currently enrolled in a Broward College degree or program, and/or engaged in BCEx’s entrepreneurship toolkit program, or enrolled in CareerSource Broward’s Start Up Now program.
- Concepts must be proven, minimally viable or ready for commercial development.
- Concepts must have sustainable points of differentiation.
- Applicants must identify customer archetypes and a compelling value proposition.
- Applicants must have background and skills required for success.
Geoff Gazda
Hear from Geoff Gazda, founder of PawsH20, a pet hydration start-up that received funding from the J. David Armstrong Student Venture Fund. Geoff describes his experience in pitching to investors to secure funding.
Make a connection or two
Partners
We value those who help support the community through partnerships with BCEx. Here are the companies who make our program initiatives possible.
Randall Vitale
President at Hoffman's Chocolates
Angelo Anzalone
Principal Owner of Veritas Legal
Jayson Koss
Founder and CEO of Delivery Dudes
Joshua Esnard
Inventor & CEO of The Cut Buddy
Kristian Bouw
Founder, Notion Theory
Claudio Sorrentino
Entrepreneur
