Ambition Accelerated applications now open to help startups scale in fintech, healthtech, defense and resilience

At a time when states are fiercely competing to attract technology startups, Florida is making a big play to not only lure founders but help them scale up right here in the Sunshine State.

The Florida Council of 100 and its partners announced in West Palm Beach on Tuesday that applications are now open for the 2026 cohorts of Ambition Accelerated, a statewide accelerator platform designed to support startups in four sectors where state leaders believe Florida has competitive advantages: financial technology, health technology, dual-use and defense technology, and resilience.

Unlike many accelerator programs that focus primarily on mentorship or early-stage investment, Ambition Accelerated is positioning itself as a relationship-driven platform that gives founders direct access to enterprise customers, strategic partners and executive leadership. More than 75 CEOs from major Florida companies  are participating as mentors or advisors. The initiative is backed by a broad coalition of corporate and ecosystem partners, including Related Ross, eMerge Americas and Tampa’s Embarc Collective.