Product Futures Summit 2026: Building Momentum for AI and Hardware Innovation on the Space Coast

By Jessica miley, Managing Director, New World Angels

Last week’s Product Futures Summit at Groundswell Startups showcased the growing momentum behind AI-enabled hardware, product innovation, and early-stage investing on Florida’s Space Coast. As a partner in the Space Coast Initiative alongside Groundswell Startups, New World Angels was proud to help convene founders, investors, and product leaders focused on building the next generation of scalable, product-driven companies.

Throughout the day, New World Angels members joined founders and industry operators across four focused panels that moved beyond traditional startup pitches and into the realities of company building. Discussions centered on early commercialization strategies, IP and licensing models, and the role of artificial intelligence in accelerating hardware development and reducing time to market.

A dedicated investor panel — featuring several NWA members — sparked candid conversations around capital readiness, risk management, and what truly differentiates an investable founding team. These are exactly the kinds of transparent, experience-driven discussions that strengthen both founders and investors and elevate the broader startup ecosystem.

Some of the most impactful moments took place beyond the panels, where thoughtful conversations and informal collaboration created meaningful connections between founders and investors. This is why our partnership with Groundswell matters. Together, we are intentionally building a Space Coast ecosystem where relationships are formed first, and capital follows conviction.

Events like the Product Futures Summit also reinforce why we launched NWA’s Innovation Fund I. The fund is designed to support early-stage companies at the intersection of AI, hardware, and critical infrastructure — ventures that benefit from patient capital and a highly engaged investor base. It was encouraging to see so many New World Angels members and Innovation Fund supporters in the room, actively meeting founders and helping shape what comes next for the Space Coast Initiative.

The Product Futures Summit set a strong benchmark for collaborative startup and investor events on the Space Coast, and it marks just the beginning of what we plan to build with Groundswell and our partners as we continue investing in founders defining the future of product innovation.