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Gazelle Capital

There’s a gap between having an idea and running a scalable business. We help founders bridge it, with hands on financial guidance, operational strategy, and, early stage capital.

Tampa, FL, USA

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Description

Gazelle Capital (and its associated investment arm, Gazelle Ventures) is a Tampa Bay-based venture capital and strategic advisory firm. It is unique for its "CFO-led" investment model, where it provides both early-stage capital and deep financial/operational expertise to startups in the Florida tech ecosystem.
  • Early Stage & Seed: Focuses on companies that have moved past the initial concept and are ready for professional scaling.
  • Expansion Ready: They specifically target founders who need help maturing their financial operations to support rapid growth or future institutional rounds.
  • Method: Founders typically engage through the Gazelle Capital website or via regional Florida innovation hubs.
  • Requirements: A pitch deck, historical financial data (if available), and a clear vision for how fractional C-suite support can accelerate the business.
  • Coastal Community Fund: In 2026, they continue to deploy capital through the Coastal Community Fund, which is dedicated to supporting Florida-based technology founders
  • Regional Showcase: They are frequently involved in the Florida Early Stage Capital Conference, with the next major regional showcase scheduled for April 2026.

Eligibility

  • Geography: Primarily focused on Florida, specifically local founders in the Tampa Bay, Orlando, and South Florida regions.
  • Sectors: Strong interest in B2B SaaS, HealthTech, and Supply Chain Technology.
  • Founder Profile: They look for "builder-founders" who recognize the need for disciplined financial management alongside product development.

Process

  1. Readiness Assessment: A preliminary review of the startup's current financial structure and business model.
  2. Strategic Diligence: Unlike traditional VCs, their diligence focuses heavily on the "back-office" scalability and financial health of the venture.
  3. Active Engagement: Post-investment, the firm often embeds Fractional CFO services within the company to manage burn rates, financial modeling, and fundraising strategy.
  4. Operational Build-out: They help founders build a "repeatable" finance department, preparing the company for Series A and beyond.

What an Applicant can Obtain

  1. Direct Capital: Access to early-stage venture capital from the Coastal Community Fund.
  2. Fractional CFO Services: High-level financial leadership without the cost of a full-time hire.
  3. Governance Support: Help in establishing professional boards and transparent reporting structures.
  4. Fundraising Strategy: Direct mentorship on how to structure future rounds and pitch to larger institutional funds.