My Background

Rich Swier is a serial entrepreneur and angel investor who has over the past ten years been a leader in major trends in technology including the development of broadband internet service, new wireless innovations and building online social networks.

Rich is an evangelist for building a stronger entrepreneurial community in the State of Florida and has spoke at multiple national conferences on the state of Venture Capital, and his vision of "Venture Creation". Recently Rich published his first book "Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking - A Guide for Entrepreneurs" which is a handbook for young entrepreneurs starting their first venture.

Rich invests in emerging companies through his venture capital firm Startup Florida. Startup Florida is the first managed angel fund and venture creation company in the State of Florida. Founded in 2002, Startup Florida has made helped launch and invest in a diverse portfolio of companies in information technology, communications, internet/media and life sciences.

Prior to Startup Florida, Rich founded numerous successful companies.

  • In 1994 Rich founded Sarasota Online, one of the first Internet Service Providers and Online City Guides in Florida. Sarasota Online was acquired by Comcast Cable (CMCSA) as the prelude to a national rollout of its cable-modem network.
  • In 1997, Rich founded Backsoft Corporation, acquired by Pipeline Software in 2003.
  • In 2003, Rich founded Highwall Technologies, acquired by Colubris in 2006.
  • In 2005, Rich founded Movo Mobile, acquired by Neighborhood America in 2007.
  • In 2003-2005, Rich was co-founder of Fast Pitch! Networking and Real Digital Media and via Startup Florida lead investor in Clinipace and Yokel.
  • Currently, Rich continues to promote entrepreneurship through his Venture Creation company Startup Florida.

Rich lives in Sarasota, Florida and holds a BS from University of Florida in Mathematics and Computer Sciences.