Friday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 1/17/2014

Venture capital investment rises sharply in Florida

Venture capitalists invested $421 million in 37 Florida companies in 2013 -- that is double 2012’s total and the best year since 2004, according to data released Friday. Software investments clearly led the pack, with nearly half the total — $194 million -- going into that industry. [Source: Miami Herald]

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Private Jet Services

First introduced in 2006, the Flexjet 25 Jet Card program offers travelers who don’t have their own plane the opportunity to enjoy the luxury of private aviation, with scheduling flexibility and plenty of perks. “Every need and want is tended to with precision and passion,” says Flexjet President Deanna White of the program.

» Read more

Big checks pour into Florida governor's race

Get ready for a governor's race that will be unprecedented in the amounts and types of campaign money being raised and spent, with $10,000, $100,000 and even million-dollar checks dominating the donations. With Gov. Rick Scott's incumbency and head start, the Republicans have an overwhelming early lead in money. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

Farmer relief: Crops escape apparent damage

Cold weather overnight did not harm oranges and other fruit across Florida’s citrus-growing regions, the state’s leading growers association said on Friday. “Came through in good shape. No reports of damage currently. Had some high 20s, low 30s. Not cold enough, long enough,” Andrew Meadows, a spokesman for Florida Citrus Mutual, said. More from Reuters and the Miami Herald and see also:

» 'We squeaked by,' Southwest Florida farm expert says

» FRIDAY PREVIEW: Coming next week to FloridaTrend.com:

Finding Opportunities: Florida Chamber Foundation Executive VP Tony Carvajal says the foundation's report calls for more manufacturing in Florida.
At Their Service: With their finances pinched, many small towns are outsourcing their services to private firms.
Snakebit?: Protesters say Scripps Florida's move to expand on the Briger tract threatens habitat for the Eastern Indigo snake.

» You'll find all these stories first on the Daily and Afternoon Pulse e-mails.

Florida Life: Dining
New global restaurant brands make their way into Florida

Florida is already active in the culinary foreign exchange: Outback is in 20 countries, Tony Roma’s is in 30, Melting Pot plans to open in a half-dozen countries from the Middle East to Indonesia. There’s a new trend, however. A new class of global culinary labels — “chains” may be too crass a label — is moving into Florida, most particularly to Miami. The first imported chain may have been BICE of Milan, which now has five Florida locations and outposts in South America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.