Founder at The HuB Sarasota
Sarasota, Florida Area
- Current
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- Founder at The HuB Sarasota
- Council Member at The Florida Life Sciences Council, Enterprise Florida
- Founder at ThisWeekIn.TV
- Co-Founder at Fast Pitch!
- Founder at Startup Florida
- Past
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- Director at Yokel
- Co-Founder at Movo Mobile
- Founder and CEO at Highwall Technologies
3 more...
- Education
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- University of Florida
- Lutheran High School of Hawaii
- Recommended
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9 people have recommended Rich - Connections
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204
connections
- Industry
- Venture Capital & Private Equity
- Websites
Rich Swier’s Summary
Rich Swier is a serial entrepreneur and angel investor who has over the past 14 years been a leader in major trends in technology including the development of broadband internet service, new wireless innovations and building online social networks.
Rich is an evangelist for building a stronger entrepreneurial community in the State of Florida and has spoke at multiple national conferences on the state of Venture Capital, and his vision of "Venture Creation". Recently Rich published his first book "Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking - A Guide for Entrepreneurs" which contains guidance for new entrepreneurs.
Rich invests in emerging companies through his venture capital firm Startup Florida. Startup Florida is the first managed angel fund and venture creation company in the State of Florida. Founded in 2002, Startup Florida has made helped launch and made investments in a diverse portfolio of companies in information technology, communications, internet/media and life sciences.
Prior to Startup Florida, Rich founded numerous successful companies. In 1994 Rich founded Sarasota Online, one of the first Internet Service Providers and Online City Guides in Florida. Sarasota Online was acquired by Comcast Cable (CMCSA) as the prelude to a national rollout of its cable-modem network. Over the past ten years, Rich has helped launch over ten technology companies in a wide range of sectors including Information Technology, New Media, Life Sciences and Telecommunications. The most notable being the 2nd largest professional social network in the US - Fast Pitch!.
Currently, Rich is working to build a stronger creative-tech industry in Sarasota, Florida through a new project called "The HuB". The HuB is a place to launch ideas and connect with entrepreneurs and artists.
Rich lives in Sarasota, Florida and holds a degree from University of Florida.
Rich Swier’s Specialties:
Early Stage Capital, Startup Experience, Entrepreneurship
Rich Swier’s Experience
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Founder
The HuB Sarasota
(Venture Capital & Private Equity industry)
March 2009 — Present (5 months)
The HuB is a destination for entrepreneurs, artists and professionals to connect and share ideas. Ideas are a powerful force in changing communities, but they require support. Support can come through many avenues including access to resources or simply the ability to connect to a community that fosters relationships and facilitates action.
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Council Member
The Florida Life Sciences Council, Enterprise Florida
(Government Agency; International Trade and Development industry)
January 2009 — Present (7 months)
The Florida Life Sciences Council is part of Enterprise Florida.
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Founder
ThisWeekIn.TV
(Broadcast Media industry)
January 2008 — Present (1 year 7 months)
ThisWeekIn.TV is working with hotels, resorts and condominiums in local markets integrating IPTV for the guests and resident to view original content about the local area.
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Co-Founder
Fast Pitch!
(Internet industry)
June 2006 — Present (3 years 2 months)
Fast Pitch! is a social network for professionals.
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Founder
Startup Florida
(Venture Capital & Private Equity industry)
January 2000 — Present (9 years 7 months)
STARTUP FLORIDA launches new ventures by leveraging the experience, enthusiasm and capital of it's team.
STARTUP FLORIDA focuses exclusively on Internet businesses to invest time and capital along side the founding entrepreneurs.
Rich Swier’s Education
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University of Florida
BS , Mathematics , 1990 — 1994
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Lutheran High School of Hawaii
High School , 1986 — 1990
