Ryan Whittemore

Partner

2024 - Current

Chief Investment Officer and Partner

2019 - 2024

Founders looking for venture funding, please apply at the link below to start our evaluation process. We will contact you within one week. We can then walk you through the process and what to expect. And please remember, we see a lot of deals, and can only invest in the deals that are a best fit for our investors. We do a lot of deals relative to many firms, but we have to reluctantly pass on a lot of great companies as well. It isn't personal and we want to see your success. We are somewhat of a startup as well and run lean on a small team, we work to get back to every founder as quickly as possible, but it may be a week, please be patient and do not hesitate to follow up, just don't take silence as personal, there are usually 50 other founders we are also trying to create time to get back to. And we know getting a "No" sucks, but we are happy to discuss why with critical feedback to help you perhaps get a "YES!" on your next pitch! https://www.floridafunders.com/apply/

Investment Principal & General Counsel

2015 - 2019

Fort Brooke Merchant Partners provides capital for Venture Capital & Private Equity investment as well as working with select M&A Transaction Advisory Services clients. Primary responsibilities include: legal counsel, deal sourcing, investment analysis & underwriting, transaction structuring & negotiation, client services, and portfolio holdings operational management

Owner

2012 - 2019

Seed Investment (2019) in Trash Butler through Florida Funders Seed Investment (2017 & 2019) in Vugo, Inc. a Minneapolis based rideshare mobile advertising provider. http://govugo.com/ Seed Investment (2012) in Heritage Property & Casualty, Exited via IPO 2014

Investment Banking

2013 - 2014

Internship with M&A and Business Development units

Investment Banking

2013 - 2013

Internship with Legal, M&A, Business Development, and Technology Investment Banking units

Managing Partner

2007 - 2010

I am the founder and managing partner of Ocean Reef Capital Advisors, LLC, a Long/Short Equity hedge fund. I started this fund in anticipation of shorting the 2008 global economic crisis. I reached the top 1% in the Morningstar Long/Short Fund database for the first 9 months of existence.

Vice President

2000 - 2007

$2 Billion AUM Independent Investment Managment & Trust Services firm.

Investment Banking & PE

1998 - 1998

An unbelievable experience and eye opener to the next great super power being China. Participated in transactions involving 3 Fortune 500 companies entering China.