JaxTech: Tech Exits & Tech Funding in Jax

The path from idea to funded company (and eventually to a successful exit) is rarely a straight line. It's full of pivots, pressure, hard-won lessons, and moments that define a company's trajectory. Jacksonville has quietly become home to some remarkable tech journeys, and for our next Jax Tech event, we're pulling back the curtain on what those journeys actually look like.

Whether you're a founder in the early stages, an operator navigating growth, an investor looking at the landscape, or simply someone curious about how great companies get built and what comes next, this is a conversation you'll want to be in the room for.

We're bringing together founders and leaders who've lived these experiences firsthand to share the real story behind the rounds, the deals, and the decisions that shaped their companies.

## Featured Speakers

### Justin Dennis

Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer, UrbanSDK
From seed funding to TechStars to a high-profile investor round, Justin will walk through the full arc of UrbanSDK's funding story — the milestones, the unexpected curveballs, and what it takes to raise capital for a high-growth tech company operating at the intersection of data and cities. If you want a candid look at what building and funding a venture-backed company really looks like, Justin's session will deliver.

### Craig Mandeville

Founder & Board Member, Forcura
Craig's journey with Forcura is a masterclass in scaling a tech company through multiple phases of growth — from a small seed round to explosive expansion, a large PE round, and ultimately a merger that created the market-leading home health company. He'll share hard-earned lessons from navigating multiple rounds of investment and the high-stakes decisions that come with each one.

### Additional Speakers — TBD

We're also lining up speakers to cover the current state of seed funding and what the pathway to an exit looks like in today's market. Stay tuned for announcements.

After the sessions, join us for a rooftop afterparty with DJ Castronaut spinning beats, great conversations, and the lively energy that makes Jax Tech such a special community. Bartenders from The Volstead will be with us again to keep the night going.

As always, a HUGE thank you to our sponsors that make these events possible:

• SourceFuse (https://www.sourcefuse.com/) - Building digital ideas, processes, and products
• Kavaliro (https://www.kavaliro.com/) - Comprehensive workforce solutions for specialized talent
• Harbor View Advisors (https://www.harborviewadvisors.com/) - Helping Jacksonville investors and founders connect and thrive, through sell-side and buy-side advisory and consulting
• KMMT Capital (http://www.kmmtcapital.com/) – Supporting Jacksonville and entrepreneurs through investment and advice
• ForSale by Plus (https://www.forsalebypl.us/) - Finding and selling homes in Jacksonville, and spinning DJ tunes on the MOSH rooftop

Schedule:
5:00 – 6:30 PM — Networking Happy Hour
6:30 – 8:00 PM — Speaker Sessions + Q&A
8:00 – 10:00 PM — Food, conversations, networking, and rooftop DJ

## About Jax Tech

Jax Tech brings together Jacksonville's tech community to highlight local innovation, share ideas, and connect with peers driving technology forward. Each quarterly event features a timely theme, local experts, and a social atmosphere designed to inspire collaboration.