phaseZERO: Innovation Incubator Seed Fund Program

phaseZERO Innovation Incubator Seed Fund Program is a grant from Cyber Florida at the University of South Florida that funds Florida-based researchers and entrepreneurs commercializing cybersecurity innovations. Modeled after the federal SBIR/STTR Phase I program, phaseZERO awards approximately $240,000 annually in seed funding distributed across selected companies.

Eligible applicants are companies registered and operating in Florida with cybersecurity-focused innovations; prior revenues and university affiliation are not required. Selection is conducted in three stages: application review by an Entrepreneur-in-Residence, a pitch to an evaluation panel, and final award decisions. Cyber Florida does not take equity.

Funded companies receive mentorship, installment-based payments, and connections to Florida's statewide innovation ecosystem. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

phaseZERO: Innovation Incubator | Cyber Florida at USF phaseZERO: Innovation Incubator Cyber Florida 2025-02-06T16:21:40-05:00 phaseZERO: Cyber Florida’s Innovation Incubator is an ongoing initiative to support Florida-based researchers and emerging entrepreneurs in commercializing cybersecurity innovations, launching new businesses, and strengthening critical infrastructure.

Modeled after the federal Small Business Administration’s Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR)/Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I programs, phaseZERO complements existing statewide efforts, such as the Florida High-Tech Corridor, I-Corps, and local incubators and accelerators. This program fills critical gaps in seed funding and provides mentorship to help entrepreneurs successfully commercialize their innovations.

phaseZERO focuses on guiding new entrepreneurs in building cybersecurity-centered businesses by providing mentorship, funding, and access to a network of state innovation resources. It supports Cyber Florida at USF’s legislative mission to foster research partnerships between businesses and universities, attract cybersecurity companies to Florida, and enable new cybersecurity ventures.

Each year, Cyber Florida at USF evaluates applications and awards a total of approximately $240,000 in seed funding to emerging Florida companies. Following the SBIR model, Cyber Florida at USF does not take equity or expect returns on these investments, allowing recipients to grow unencumbered.

Successful applicants are selected through a three-stage process: Stage 1: Applicants submit a completed application as well as a brief business plan (format adapted from SBIR) for technical and business evaluation by a Cyber Florida Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR). Stage 2: Selected applicants pitch their plans to an evaluation panel. The next pitch event is expected to be done virtually.

Stage 3: The evaluation panel will select the awardees. Over the next few months, as the grant is paid out in installments, the EIR works with each recipient to establish the business, secure further funding, and initiate or prepare for technical operations. Funded companies are introduced to state innovation ecosystem partners to maximize resources and support.

Through this program, Cyber Florida at USF remains committed to fostering innovation and building a robust cybersecurity industry in Florida. Selected Applicants Invited to Pitch Event: What awardees are saying about phaseZERO: “The grant turned our vision into reality…We are proud of what we’ve built and excited for the future as we continue to evolve and make a real impact.

” “With this backing, we can expedite the commercialization of our technologies and bring our products to market much sooner. ” “It is an exciting opportunity to bridge the gap between academic research and practical business applications and solutions, ultimately contributing to innovation in cybersecurity and emerging technologies.

” “This grant isn’t just funding; it’s a catalyst for meaningful change, enabling us to push the boundaries of what’s possible in cybersecurity and contribute to Florida’s emerging reputation as a hub of technological innovation. ” Will Cyber Florida take equity or other financial interest in the company? Will there be follow-on funding from Cyber Florida?

Will Cyber Florida assist with follow-on funding? Engagements with the team and the EIR will facilitate this process as the program is designed to support startups with the commercialization of their cybersecurity technologies via mentorship, funding, and networking. How will financial irregularities be investigated?

Following the practice adopted by the federal government with the SBIR/STTR programs, any financial irregularities will be referred to the appropriate Florida law enforcement agencies for investigation. How are funded companies expected to manage their awards? The program requires that companies budget for certified public accountant (CPA) services to manage their finances and develop the required reports.

What is the structure of the award agreement? The award agreement follows the practices of the National Science Foundation’s SBIR/STTR programs. The funding agreement is a grant—a legal instrument of financial assistance between Cyber Florida and the awardee.

I am an employee at a company, working on a cybersecurity-related project as a ‘side hustle. ’ Am I eligible to apply for this grant? The program places no limitations beyond those specified in the call.

You will be responsible for obtaining the necessary permissions from your employer to apply. I am not affiliated with a university. Can I apply?

Yes; the call is open to any company registered and operating in Florida. What role can students play in the program? Students are encouraged to leverage this opportunity to explore their entrepreneurial ambitions in any capacity.

For example, they can be part of an applicant team. They can also form their own company and apply by themselves. For this call, there is no requirement for a student team to include a faculty member or other university employee.

I just have an idea and have no revenues. Am I eligible to apply? Absolutely.

In fact, this program is intended to assist exactly such promising ideas to get off the ground. Prior revenues or prior operating history is not required for applicants. Applicants must be registered and operating in Florida and must meet the NSF SBIR/STTR Phase I criteria for eligibility as specified at https://www.

sbir. gov/sites/default/files/elig_size_compliance_guide. pdf .

Am I limited to the entrepreneur-in-residence for mentorship and training? No; awarded firms are free to use any mentorship, training, or other resources available. In fact, program staff will do their best to connect awarded companies to such resources across Florida.

The entrepreneur-in-residence is Cyber Florida’s effort to ensure that awarded firms are not left on their own. My company focuses on critical infrastructure resilience. Am I eligible to apply?

Cyber Florida regards cyber resiliency as an integral part of the cybersecurity continuum. Companies focusing on improving the resilience of our physical infrastructure to cyberattacks are eligible to apply.