Embarc Collective, Florida’s fastest-growing startup hub and home to a peer community of more than 300 founders and cofounders building 135+ early-stage and growth technology companies, today announced a new partnership with Benchmark International, a leading global M&A advisory firm serving founder-led and middle-market companies.

As part of the collaboration, Benchmark International will join Embarc Collective’s Corporate Partner Program, engaging directly with the startup community through programming, mentorship, and curated founder connections. Through this engagement, founders will gain earlier, more practical access to M&A education, strategic advisory insight, and guidance on liquidity pathways, value creation, and long-term growth planning well before a transaction is on the table.

Through the partnership, Benchmark International will provide hands-on engagement opportunities for Embarc Collective members, including full-day Office Hour sessions featuring curated, high-quality introductions to relevant startups, with an emphasis on fit and readiness over volume. Benchmark International will also deliver educational programming focused on M&A preparedness and financial considerations that founders must navigate throughout the lifecycle of a company.

“Founders often encounter M&A conversations too late in the journey, when optionality is limited,” says Tim Holcomb, CEO of Embarc. “This partnership with Benchmark is about demystifying the process early, and giving founders clarity, education, and trusted access so they can build stronger companies and make more informed decisions over time.”

Benchmark will also engage directly with Embarc Collective’s broader innovation ecosystem through participation in corporate innovation programming, including the Corporate Breakfast Club and Innovators Summit, as well as select Tech Talks, panels, and podcast series.

This partnership reinforces Embarc’s mission to accelerate entrepreneurship in Florida by surrounding founders with the right expertise at the right time. By integrating M&A, financial, and strategic education into the founder journey, Embarc continues to build connective infrastructure between startups and the professional partners that support long-term success.

“Our work is most impactful when founders are educated and empowered well before a transaction,” said Clinton Johnston, Board Member of Benchmark International. “Partnering with Embarc Collective allows us to engage earlier, contribute meaningfully to founder education, and support a community that is building real, durable companies across Florida’s innovation economy.”

To learn more about Embarc Collective, please visit embarccollective.com. 

About Embarc Collective

Embarc Collective, a 501c3 non-profit, is a central landing zone for the most driven and focused startup builders in Florida, ranked as a top startup support program in the world by UBI Global. Embarc Collective offers vetted, curated live and on-demand coaching and programming, an ever-growing repository of resources and frameworks, and access to a network of corporate customers and investors, all amongst a peer community of 300 founders and cofounders of 135+ early-stage tech startups and growth companies operating within an award-winning 32,000-square-foot startup hub in downtown Tampa, Florida. Since its launch in 2019, Embarc Collective member-companies have achieved a 96% survival rate, created 1,200+ high-paying tech and tech-enabled jobs, and raised more than $600M in angel, venture and growth equity, including more than half from investors outside the state of Florida. Annually, Embarc Collective’s Florida-based early-stage tech companies drive $100 million in direct economic returns to the state of Florida and attract more than $100 million annually in seed, venture, and growth equity investment capital, capital that is invested directly into Florida-based companies.

About Benchmark International

Benchmark International is a global M&A firm that provides business owners with creative, value-maximizing solutions for growing and exiting their businesses. Benchmark International has handled transactions across various industries from offices across the world. With decades of M&A experience, Benchmark International’s transaction teams have assisted business owners with achieving their objectives and ensuring the continued growth of their businesses. The firm has also been named the Investment Banking Firm of the Year by The M&A Advisor and the Global M&A Network, as well as the #1 Sell-side Privately Owned M&A Advisor in the World by PitchBook’s and LSEG’s Global League Tables.