To expand on the success of venture capital investments in Florida, the State has created the Florida Opportunity Fund, a multimillion-dollar program that directs investments to high-performing funds committed to seed and early stage businesses. The program will seek to grow the availability of venture capital funds for companies in strategic sectors such as life sciences, clean energy, homeland security, aerospace and defense, information technology and advanced manufacturing. In turn, it will seek to serve as a platform for creating new companies with high-wage jobs. The first series of applications from state, regional and national venture capital firms to be considered for funds from the program will be accepted through January 30, 2009. Interested participants from the venture capital community should visit www.floridaopportunityfund.com.