The energy leader’s 35 Mules program aims to bring and keep top startups in the state
By Riley Kaminer
When you think of Florida Power & Light (FPL), startup innovation might not be the first thing to come to mind. But Danielle Mousseau is working to change that. Mousseau manages FPL’s 35 Mules program, an in-house innovation hub that is working to develop South Florida’s startup ecosystem.
We sat down with Mousseau to discuss the origins of 35 Mules, how it is helping shape South Florida’s innovation ecosystem, and how founders can get involved.
This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.
What is 35 Mules?
35 Mules helps entrepreneurs bring their game-changing ideas to life faster, smarter, and at scale. We encourage startups to grow their businesses in the state and contribute to Florida’s growing innovation ecosystem.
Our program is 12 to 18 months, and is different depending on the needs of each cohort. We are agnostic to stage and agnostic to industry. We are not just energy focused, and do not just work with Florida-based companies. In fact, we recruit companies from around the world – with a specific focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
As one of America’s leading companies, we believe that our more than 10,000 subject matter experts can be helpful to any company at any stage. And what is really special about our program is that we offer a non-dilutive cash grant of $100,000 to each founder that makes it into our program.
Why did FPL decide to launch 35 Mules?
NextEra Energy, FPL’s parent company, has been a leader and innovator in our space for a long time. We work with some of the best and brightest, and we wanted to share this knowledge with other innovators in our ecosystem. That’s why this program is under the umbrella of economic development. Our goal is not to take equity, but to grow startups and connect them to Florida’s innovation ecosystem and help them be successful here.
What programming does 35 Mules offer?
Our programming changes in each cohort because it depends on the needs of the participating founders. But coaching is an important component, with a particular focus on executive coaching and leadership. We help companies with their business strategy by teaching them about the lean startup approach and the business model canvas. We also expose them to informational sessions with a variety of experts to discuss topics including IP, M&A, operations, legal issues, and more.
What trends do you see in the South Florida tech ecosystem?
Florida has always done a really good job of being business friendly. Our tax incentives have always attracted businesses – particularly during the pandemic, when many founders relocated here. Now, we need to make sure that we’re able to connect these founders with the resources they need to continue to grow their businesses here in Florida.
I think the future looks very bright, and that we just need to capitalize on this momentum. We can’t assume this is going to continue to happen without a sustained effort to continue growing the resources we have. We have to push for continuous improvement on what we provide startup founders.
At the state level, Florida targets certain industries for economic growth. I think it makes sense to focus on these in our tech ecosystem as well. But I already see some really strong verticals emerging in the state: fintech, healthtech, climate tech and clean energy, and aviation – just to name a few.
Why is it important to think about our tech ecosystem regionally, rather than on a municipal or county level?
The president of FPL often says that a rising tide raises all ships. FPL wants to be that rising tide, and I think that the region can raise all businesses if we work together. We have the Brightline, which connects our region and enables us to live, work, and play anywhere from Northern Palm Beach County to South Miami. Because of this accessibility, businesses have the power to attract the best talent. Ultimately, this means that they won’t leave our state.
What tips would you give people considering applying for 35 Mules?
Definitely follow the instructions to a T! If we say a video’s maximum length is 90 seconds, make sure it’s 90 seconds or less.
Also, many of the items we ask for are optional, but don’t be shy about providing as much information as possible.
How can founders get involved in 35 Mules?
The application period for our third cohort will begin on February 1st and end on March 17th. Founders can follow me and 35 Mules on LinkedIn for announcements and reminders. They can join our eNewsletter, which we will be launching again soon, as well as visit 35Mules.com.
We will also provide cash grants to partner organizations for pitch competitions as well. So stay tuned for that!
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