The Florida Council of 100 has opened applications for the 2026 edition of Ambition Accelerated, a statewide business accelerator designed to help high-growth companies expand in Florida.
The eight-week hybrid program will select 10 companies for each of four industry tracks: financial technology in West Palm Beach, dual-use and defense technology in Miami, health technology in Tampa Bay and resilience technology in Southwest Florida.
Participants will receive executive coaching, strategic guidance and direct access to investors, potential customers, corporate partners and experienced business leaders. More than 75 CEOs from major Florida companies are expected to participate.
Selected founders will also take part in a statewide showcase with Florida Council of 100 members and receive access to eMerge Americas’ invitation-only Miami AI Summit. One founder and one co-founder or founding team member from each company will receive a free one-year membership to Tampa-based Embarc Collective in 2027.
The program is backed by partners including Related Ross, eMerge Americas, Embarc Collective, Truist, GuideWell, Tampa General Hospital and Babcock Ranch.
Council leaders said the initiative is intended to move beyond attracting startups by helping founders secure customers, capital, talent and partnerships needed to scale their companies in Florida.
Applications for the 2026 accelerator are open through Aug. 21.
