Startups: dive into the tank

An area of the Gulf Coast often overlooked for startup capital — Charlotte County — will get its turn in the spotlight later this year.

The attention stems from VenturePitch SWFL. It's a Shark Tank-style event, scheduled for Punta Gorda March 30, that's open to entrepreneurs and startups from Charlotte, DeSoto, Lee and Sarasota counties. Five companies will be invited to compete for a financial prize from investors at the event.

“Thanks to generous sponsors, VenturePitch SWFL will offer the winning startups $50,000 in equity investments for the first time since the quarterly events began in 2015,” says Timothy Cartwright, chairman of Naples-based Tamiami Angel Funds, which oversees the VenturePitch SWFL series.