ARK Invest and Capital Factory Launch St. Petersburg Hub
The firms are joining forces to scout emerging technologies and expand their investment reach in Florida.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Startups
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Cathie Wood and ARK Invest are partnering with Tim Draper and Capital Factory to establish a new joint investment network based in St. Petersburg. The collaboration centers on the 45,000-square-foot ARK Innovation Center, where a dedicated investment team will scout local startups.
Why it matters
The partnership leverages a history of shared investments to create a more robust pipeline for early-stage companies. By stationing team members in St. Petersburg, the firms aim to streamline joint due diligence and identify new technologies.
Capital Factory manages a portfolio exceeding 1,000 early-stage companies and partners with 100 startups annually through its All Access program. The new scouting efforts will be headquartered at the 45,000-square-foot ARK Innovation Center.
The players
Cathie Wood
She is the CEO and CIO of ARK Invest, a firm known for its focus on disruptive innovation in public and private markets.
Tim Draper
He is the founder of Draper Associates and a prominent venture capitalist with a long history of early-stage technology investments.
ARK Invest
This investment management firm relocated its primary headquarters to St. Petersburg in 2021.
Capital Factory
Based in Austin, this venture firm maintains a broad network of over 1,000 early-stage companies and provides support for startup growth.
ARK Innovation Center
This 45,000-square-foot facility serves as the base for the firm's operations and the newly announced investment scouting team.
The details
The organizations will share prospective deals and conduct joint due diligence on potential investments. Capital Factory plans to hire for new venture-team positions in St. Petersburg, Austin, and Washington, D.C. as part of this initiative.
Timeline
1985: Tim Draper founded Draper Associates.
2017: Capital Factory invested in Apptronik.
2021: ARK Invest moved headquarters to St. Petersburg.
March 2026: Meet the Drapers event occurred during SXSW.
October 29, 2026: Partnership between ARK Invest and Capital Factory announced.
Market Landscape
This partnership mirrors the collaborative investment model seen in the Capital Factory's All Access 2027 program. The move strengthens the firms' competitive positions by formalizing joint due diligence and scouting processes across emerging technology hubs.
Local entrepreneurs in St. Petersburg may see increased access to capital through the joint scouting network. This shift could lead to more rapid development and funding opportunities for emerging tech startups in the region.
The takeaway
This collaboration signals a growing integration between established investment firms and regional innovation centers. Investors and entrepreneurs should look for increased deal flow between Austin and St. Petersburg as these networks continue to merge.
Further reading
For more on the local venture ecosystem, visit the St. Petersburg Startups section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Tampa Bay Business & Wealth.
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