Jacksonville’s early-stage startup community will gather on Aug. 19 for the return of the Jacksonville Venture Competition. The event takes place at The Link in Nocatee, where six selected local companies will present their business models to a panel of judges.
Cheyenne LeMaire, who represents Chang Robotics and the Chang Robotics Fund, described the event as a local pitch competition similar to televised business shows. The six finalists were chosen by a selection committee from a larger pool of local submissions. LeMaire noted that the primary goal is to connect founders with feedback and professional networks that can help accelerate their growth.
Judges are evaluating the presentations based on three main criteria. First, they assess the confidence and capability of the founder. Second, they look for high growth potential within the business model. Third, they determine if the company is structured in a way that makes it investable from a legal and administrative perspective.
LeMaire clarified that winning does not guarantee immediate funding. She explained that any potential investment requires extensive legal paperwork and a thorough due diligence process. There is no simple handshake agreement; the outcome depends on the results of that investigation.
Investors may still decline to fund a promising company if they do not fully understand the specific industry or market space. LeMaire stated that her fund would pass on a company if the team lacked clarity in their sector.
