Our Team
Irv Cohen
Irv supports the development of the venture capital and entrepreneurial community in Florida through a defined mix of strategy and execution, assembling strategic partnerships, and mentoring leaders. Irv’s philanthropic ideals led him to develop his long-term dream of building a collaborative community in which entrepreneurs in Florida have the opportunity to raise the capital they require locally and thrive with the support of service providers while providing fruitful investments to stakeholders. Irv joins partner Dave Chitester in founding Seedfunders, which provides funding and mentoring for pre-revenue technology concepts.
Most recently Mr. Cohen became CEO and Chairman of the Board for CodeBoxx, a St. Pete-based Technology School is dedicated to empowering the community through software development. CodeBoxx focuses on providing access to career paths based on potential rather than privilege and is intentional about diversity and inclusivity.
Today Irv is an active investor in five early-stage companies, supports the development of Florida Funders, and is highly engaged in the nonprofit sector. As an investor, he looks for cutting-edge innovation through keeping his finger on the pulse and seeks effective, passionate entrepreneurs that share his enthusiasm for business growth. As a philanthropist, he maintains these principles through holding positions on the executive committees of all nonprofits he engages in and seeks social enterprises that tie with his overall vision. Some of his involvement includes overseeing USF’s incubator and mentoring early-stage companies as well as Social Venture Partners (SVP) offering leadership and funding to developing nonprofits.
Keara McGraw
Program Manager at Social Venture Partners Tampa Bay, aiding nonprofits in developing sustainable social enterprises, as well as communications and social media with St. Petersburg Group/St. Pete Catalyst. Communications and administration Innovations Capital Group.
Our Community Insight Partners
Joe Hamilton
Publisher - St. Pete Catalyst, Co-founder - St Petersburg Group, Co-founder - St Petersburg Foundation, Host - SPx
Dave Chitester
David is the founder of the Tampa Bay investment firms Florida Funders and Seedfunders. He is also the recipient of the 2019 TiE Tampa Bay Angel Investor TiETAN Award for his efforts in pioneering changes in the Tampa Bay startup landscape. Additionally, Florida Trend named him one of the 500 Most Influential Business Leaders in the state.