Built To Run. Rooted to Stay.

Gazelle Ventures is a community-focused venture fund investing in Tampa Bay’s fastest-growing companies, while keeping growth, jobs, and wealth local.

What is Gazelle Ventures

Gazelle Ventures is a community-powered venture fund designed to generate venture-level returns while strengthening the Tampa Bay startup ecosystem. We invest in high-growth “gazelle companies”, businesses achieving 20%+ annual growth, because they create the majority of new jobs, generate the strongest returns, and drive long-term regional prosperity.

 

We represent a breakthrough in aligning venture capital returns with community economic development. Gazelle Ventures demonstrates that venture capital can generate competitive financial returns while maximizing community benefit through local hiring requirements, accessible investment minimums, and strategic focus on Tampa Bay’s emerging innovation economy.

Fund At-a-Glance

Fund Size: $5,000,000
Investment Per Company: $250K–$500K
Target Portfolio: 8–10 Tampa Bay startups
Minimum Investment: $25,000

The Gazelle Opportunity

High-growth startups, or “gazelles,” are responsible for creating the majority of new jobs in the economy. Companies growing at 20%+ annually have the potential to become major employers, wealth creators, and anchors of long-term economic growth.

But in emerging tech regions like ours, many of these companies face a familiar crossroad: when it’s time to raise capital, the funding often comes with pressure to relocate. Investors from other markets push companies to move. As companies relocate, so do their teams, equity, and future upside.

The result is a cycle where promising startups are built locally, but the long-term benefits of their success, jobs, wealth, and innovation, accrue elsewhere.

Gazelle Ventures exists to break that cycle!

We provide local capital with no relocation pressure, allowing Tampa Bay’s fastest-growing companies to scale here, hire here, and build generational wealth here.

Why This Matters

  • Job Creation: Gazelle companies create 70% of all new jobs in the U.S. economy.
  • Wealth Building: Keeping successful companies local keeps equity and wealth in the community.
  • Economic Momentum: Every dollar invested locally generates 3-5x more regional economic impact than relocated capital.

Tampa Bay – The Next Breakout Venture Market

Tampa Bay is hitting an inflection point: real momentum, real deal flow, and a cost structure that improves capital efficiency. That combination is rare, and investable.

Forbes #1 Emerging Tech City

%

Growth in Advanced Industry Jobs ('19 - '24)

in Start Up Capital Raised Annually

%

Lower Operating Costs vs. NYC/SF

Strong Population & Business Growth

Tampa Bay continues to attract talent, founders, and operators who are choosing to build long-term careers here. The region added 15,000+ tech workers between 2020-2024, fueling demand, strengthening teams, and creating a stable foundation for companies that want to grow without relocating.

What this means for investors: Deeper talent pools reduce hiring risk and extend runway.

A Rapidly Expanding Tech & Startup Ecosystem

The region’s startup ecosystem is maturing quickly with 200+ active startups, 50+ experienced mentors, and increasing institutional support. Success stories like The Penny Hoarder (acquired for $102M) and ReliaQuest (valued at $4.6B) prove that world-class companies can be built and scaled in Tampa Bay.

What this means for investors: Stronger ecosystem = better deal flow + more exit opportunities.

Lower Operating Costs Than Coastal Markets

Compared to traditional venture hubs, Tampa Bay offers significantly lower costs for talent, office space, and operations.

Overall cost of living: 40% lower than NY/SF markets

What this means for investors: Lower burn rates = longer runways = higher capital efficiency = better returns.