Florida’s innovation scene is thriving in 2025, and the latest Series C funding rounds prove it. From fintech to cybersecurity, startups headquartered across the Sunshine State are closing deals that position them for rapid scaling and global impact.
This article highlights 10 standout tech startups in Florida that secured Series C funding this year. Each profile details how much they raised, who backed them, and what they plan to achieve with their new capital.
OpenStore – $15M
OpenStore, co-founded by Keith Rabois and Jack Abraham, secured a $15 million Series C round in mid-2025.
Backers included Khosla Ventures and Atomic, who doubled down despite a challenging e-commerce market. The company’s mission is simple yet ambitious: to give independent Shopify brands a fast, AI-driven path to either scale or exit.
The platform uses automation to acquire and optimize small online stores, offering entrepreneurs a chance to grow without managing every operational detail. While the funding was a down-round compared to previous valuations, the capital ensures the company can refine its offering.
OpenStore plans to channel the funds into improving its tech stack and providing more seamless support to its community of sellers. By leaning into its AI-first approach, it aims to keep fueling innovation for small online retailers navigating a competitive digital marketplace.
Candex – $33M
Candex, headquartered in Miami, closed a $33 million Series C in July 2025. The round was led by 9Yards Capital, with participation from Goldman Sachs, Craft Ventures, and Hedosophia. The company is tackling a problem few think about but nearly every enterprise faces: managing small suppliers efficiently.
Its platform helps enterprises handle “tail spend” by streamlining how thousands of low-value vendors are engaged, contracted, and paid. For global firms, this means fewer headaches in procurement and better compliance across multiple regions.
Candex will use the new capital to enhance its automation features, expand internationally, and cement its reputation as a leader in vendor management technology. With enterprises increasingly turning to nearshore squads for support, Candex is positioned to become the standard for payments and compliance at scale.
Zero Networks – $55M
Orlando-based Zero Networks raised $55 million in June 2025, led by Highland Europe with support from Venrock, PICO Venture Partners, and USVP. The company delivers zero-trust network security through automated microsegmentation, designed to stop ransomware and lateral movement inside corporate networks.
Traditionally, zero-trust models require complex configurations that overwhelm IT teams. Zero Networks simplifies this with an AI-powered platform that dynamically adjusts security policies. The result is a stronger, more automated defense system.
With fresh funding, the company is expanding its go-to-market efforts across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. Its goal is to make zero-trust accessible and practical for every organization, especially those struggling with rising cyber threats.
Underdog Fantasy – $70M
Underdog Fantasy, with strong roots in Miami’s tech scene, secured $70 million in Series C funding during Q1 2025. The round valued the company at roughly $1.25 billion. Prior investors, including sports and entertainment figures, played a significant role in the raise.
Known for its fantasy football best-ball tournaments and pick’em contests, the platform has become a go-to for sports fans looking for interactive gaming. It has also expanded into regulated sports betting, further broadening its appeal.
The company plans to use its new funds to hire aggressively, pursue licensing in additional states, and continue innovating its platform. By blending entertainment, competition, and technology, Underdog Fantasy is positioning itself as a major contender in the sports gaming space.
Sardine – $70M
Sardine, based in Miami, also raised $70 million in a Series C round in February 2025. Led by Activant Capital, with backing from Andreessen Horowitz and Google Ventures, the round marked a turning point for the company.
The fintech startup offers an AI-powered platform for fraud detection, risk management, and compliance. Already serving more than 300 enterprises across 70 countries, Sardine has earned a reputation as a key player in the financial security landscape.
The company is using its new capital to launch AI-driven risk management agents. These tools will automate tedious compliance tasks, reduce fraud disputes, and give risk teams more bandwidth to address complex threats. Sardine’s approach highlights how nearshore software development talent can be leveraged to build tools at scale.
ThreatLocker – $100M
Orlando’s ThreatLocker hit unicorn status in 2025 with a $100 million growth investment following its earlier Series C. Known for its zero-trust endpoint security, the company provides IT admins with tools to control which applications run on devices, minimizing the attack surface.
Its unique approach includes application allow-listing and Ringfencing™, technologies that stop ransomware before it starts. Thousands of organizations now use ThreatLocker’s products to protect sensitive data and operations
The new funding will help expand its product suite, grow its presence among managed service providers, and strengthen its position in the cybersecurity market. With cybercrime costs skyrocketing, ThreatLocker’s solutions are more relevant than ever.
Flow – $100M
Flow, headquartered in Miami and led by Adam Neumann, raised $100 million in 2025, valuing the company at $2.5 billion. Andreessen Horowitz led the investment, marking another strong bet on Neumann’s vision.
Flow integrates real estate, technology, and community into what it calls “tech-enabled housing.” Its developments blend modern apartments with shared spaces and a digital platform that simplifies property management.
The company plans to use its funding to launch new projects in Florida and beyond, while expanding its proprietary management software. As cities rethink urban living, Flow is betting on a hybrid model that merges housing with hospitality and digital convenience.
ONE Amazon – $105M
ONE Amazon, a Miami-based fintech startup, raised $105 million in early 2025. Investors included Global Edge Worldwide and Gorilla Technology. The company is pioneering a crypto-finance model to fund rainforest conservation.
Its platform tokenizes conservation projects, giving investors the chance to back biodiversity and environmental protection through blockchain-based assets. By blending climate science with financial technology, ONE Amazon is creating a new way to fund ecological impact.
The new funds will accelerate the expansion of conservation projects in the Amazon basin and build out its marketplace. The company sees its mission as both financial and environmental, linking sustainability with investor-driven growth.
Cast AI – $108M
Miami-based Cast AI raised $108 million in a Series C led by G2 Venture Partners and SoftBank Vision Fund 2. The company’s automation platform reduces cloud infrastructure costs by optimizing workloads across CPUs and GPUs.
For enterprises managing massive cloud environments, Cast AI provides real-time adjustments that save money and improve performance. Its AI-driven approach addresses a problem many companies face: cloud bloat and inefficiency.
The company will use its new capital to expand its platform, hire more talent, and scale globally. In a world where AI is reshaping business operations, Cast AI’s offering is well-timed to meet market needs.
Atsena Therapeutics – $150M
The largest raise in Florida this year came from Gainesville-based Atsena Therapeutics, which closed a $150 million Series C in April 2025.
Led by Bain Capital Life Sciences with participation from Wellington Management, the oversubscribed round reflects investor confidence in Atsena’s gene therapy research.
The biotech startup is developing treatments for inherited retinal diseases that cause blindness. Its pipeline, built on cutting-edge genetic science, has shown promise in clinical trials.
Atsena plans to use its new funding to advance therapies through trials and closer to regulatory approval. By combining world-class science with strong financial backing, the company is positioning itself at the forefront of gene therapy innovation.
Florida’s Tech Momentum Builds
From Miami to Orlando, Florida’s tech ecosystem is entering a new phase of growth. The Series C rounds secured in 2025 reflect both investor confidence and the ambition of local founders. These companies are not only scaling their businesses but also shaping the future of industries ranging from fintech to biotech.
As Florida strengthens its position on the national tech stage, collaboration will remain key. Just as companies rely on nearshore collaboration to scale faster and smarter, these startups demonstrate the power of shared vision and timely investment.
With new capital fueling their journeys, the next chapter for Florida’s tech leaders promises to be bold, innovative, and transformative.
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FAQ
What does Series C funding mean for startups?
Series C funding represents a growth stage where startups have proven market fit and are ready to scale rapidly. At this stage, companies use funding to expand internationally, improve technology, or acquire competitors.
Which Florida startup raised the largest Series C round in 2025?
Atsena Therapeutics, a biotech company based in Gainesville, secured $150 million in Series C financing. The round was led by Bain Capital Life Sciences and supports its mission to develop gene therapies for inherited blindness.
Which sectors dominated Florida’s Series C funding in 2025?
The funding rounds reflected diversity across sectors, with fintech (Sardine, Candex), cybersecurity (Zero Networks, ThreatLocker), e-commerce (OpenStore), biotech (Atsena), and real estate tech (Flow) all securing significant capital.
How are Florida startups planning to use their Series C capital?
Most companies are focusing on product development, talent acquisition, and global market expansion. For example, Sardine is building AI-powered risk management agents, while Cast AI is expanding its cloud automation platform.
Why is Florida becoming a hub for tech funding?
Florida’s combination of tax incentives, growing talent pools, and strong investor interest has turned Miami, Orlando, and Gainesville into rising tech hubs. The ecosystem benefits from nearshore collaboration with Latin American markets, giving startups an additional edge.
What role do investors play in shaping Florida’s startup ecosystem?
Series C investors bring not just capital but also expertise, networks, and credibility. Backers like Andreessen Horowitz, SoftBank Vision Fund, and Bain Capital Life Sciences signal strong confidence in Florida’s ability to produce globally competitive companies.
