Orlando, Florida (06/10/25) – PETE (pete.com), the knowledge engine for frontline teams, was selected as one of 29 startup finalists to present at the 2025 Florida Early Stage Venture Conference, held last June 2–3 at the Fairwinds Alumni Center in Orlando.
The event, hosted by the Florida Venture Forum, is considered one of the most premier events for early-stage companies in the Southeast for over four decades, offering high-growth startups the opportunity to showcase their businesses to a curated audience of active venture capital firms, angel investors, and business leaders. Only around one-third of applicants are selected to present, making it a highly competitive and valuable opportunity to engage with top-tier investors.
The two-day conference featured presentations from startup companies, alongside keynote speakers, panel discussions, and a student pitch competition. Past participants have collectively raised over $30 billion in follow-on funding.
Luis Garcia, Co-Founder and CEO of PETE, reflected on what the experience meant for PETE, "A year ago, we applied to this same competition and didn't make it past the first round. Coming back as a finalist and presenting on the main stage was a powerful reminder of how much can change in a year. We've grown our customer base to over 50 customers, strengthened our platform, and become even more confident in the problem we're solving. We're grateful to Florida Venture Forum for creating opportunities like this for early-stage companies."
While PETE did not take home the top prize, the opportunity to present to such a high-caliber audience provided valuable exposure, investor connections, and real-time feedback from experienced leaders in the startup ecosystem. A few investors have since reached out to express interest in PETE, further validating the direction we’re heading.
Our selection as a finalist highlights the progress we’ve made, both in strengthening our product and expanding our customer base. From launching key product features like Skill Simulations and Video Call-Based Lessons, to entering new markets like financial services, this past year has been one of growth and traction.
We’re proud to represent Orlando’s growing tech community, and we extend our gratitude to Florida Venture Forum for its continued efforts to support entrepreneurship across the state.
