New Idea Center

What New Idea Center does

New Idea Center, operated by eFiltro Co. (a Delaware corporation doing business as "New Idea Center" and "Americas Ventures"), is a privately held venture capital consulting firm founded in 2000 and headquartered at the Biltmore Hotel Executive Center in Coral Gables, Florida. The firm selectively matches early-stage and growth-stage entrepreneurs seeking $500K-$5M in capital with a curated network of 350-400+ accredited investors, 150+ professional venture capital and banking firms, and angel networks across the Americas. Its intake is highly selective: only 1-2% of submitted business plans are accepted for venture consulting, with a free database tier serving as a funnel into paid services. Geographic footprint covers Florida (Miami/Coral Gables, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach), Argentina (Buenos Aires), Mexico (Mexico City and Monterrey), and Brazil (via the Americas Ventures consortium with ITC Ventures and NewCapital), with representative presence in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Washington DC, and Santiago, Chile.

The firm's central intellectual asset is a proprietary 112-variable business plan analysis methodology co-developed with McKinsey & Company, which evaluates plans in 10 sections across English, Spanish, and Portuguese and is continually refreshed to reflect current market sentiment. The methodology runs on a non-HTML Lotus Domino database described in source material as security-hardened and tested by ethical hackers. Service offerings include: a $250 fixed-fee Business Plan Analysis with rating, custom Business Plan Development (tune-ups to full 30+ page color documents), Business Development (sales acceleration, M&A advisory, new company creation), Investor Matchmaking via by-invitation-only events (breakfasts, cocktail hours, yacht cruises, seminars), and an Angel Investor "pledge fund" launched in February 2003 with $1M initial commitments and a $5M target. Key flagship partnerships include McKinsey & Company (minority equity stake and methodology co-developer), IBM (technology infrastructure and former-employer relationships at the leadership level), and the Americas Ventures consortium partners ITC Ventures (Brazil) and NewCapital (Mexico). Additional alliances span Adorno & Yoss, Merrill Lynch Private Asset Management, InternetCoast, FIU, University of Miami, vFinance, America Economia/Dow Jones, and Softbank Venture Capital.

Revenue is generated through a hybrid model: fixed fees on standardized services ($250 plan analysis, custom contracts on plan development), performance-based venture consulting tied to capital raised under the Lehman formula plus stock warrants in startups, sponsor referral commissions for service providers (IT, legal, accounting, PR, executive search), and event cost-sharing with co-sponsors. Pricing is custom and opaque for larger engagements, with marketing escrow accounts of $1,000-$5,000 sometimes required. The customer base spans 20+ named portfolio companies and trade mission cohorts, with cumulative client outcomes of approximately $146M raised through 36 selected ventures by December 2002 (roughly 67% still active). The firm is led by CEO Mick Lopez (former IBM Director of Business Development for Latin America and CFO of IBM Brazil, MBA University of Chicago), with senior partners Omar Arab (Argentina), Zachariah R. Bell, and COO Albert Llodra. Press coverage in Time Magazine, Miami Herald, Sun-Sentinel, South Florida Business Journal, and Business News America has anchored its public positioning since 2000, though dated operational signals end in 2003 with the website copyright extending to 2017.

Name

New Idea Center

Legal name

eFiltro Co.

Website

https://newideacenter.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

New Idea Center (eFiltro Co.) is a venture capital consulting firm that selectively connects early-stage entrepreneurs with a curated network of 350-400+ accredited investors, VCs, and angel funds across the Americas, using a proprietary McKinsey-developed 112-variable business plan analysis methodology.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Venture Capital Consulting

NAICS

Management Consulting Services (54161), Marketing Consulting Services (541613)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Security Brokers, Dealers & Flotation Companies (6211)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAHAOAG

Corporate Development & Strategic Partnerships Advisory (JVs, Alliances, Carve-outs)

Business & Public Services/Professional Services (Legal, Accounting, Consulting)/M&A, Transaction & Restructuring Advisory

SECONDARYFSANAGAF

Emerging Manager / Seeding Platforms (Multi-Manager)

Financial & Insurance/Private Equity & Venture Capital/Fund-of-Funds / Multi-Manager Platforms

SECONDARYBPAHADAA

Corporate Strategy Advisory

Business & Public Services/Professional Services (Legal, Accounting, Consulting)/Strategy & Corporate Finance Advisory

Keywords

• Venture capital consulting
• Business plan analysis
• Angel investor matchmaking
• Entrepreneur funding services
• Investor networking events

Headquarters

HQ city

Boca Raton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices12 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Business Plan Analysis fee: Non-refundable $250 fee for official Business Plan Analysis and rating, with detailed report. Optional one-hour interview (in person or telephone) with a director available at additional cost. Optional set-up fee to tailor variables to sponsor's requirements.
2. Performance-based venture consulting fees: Venture Capital Consulting charges cash and stock equity of amount raised when companies secure financing (finder's fees/commissions on investment capital and stock warrants in start-up projects). Performance-based fees negotiated via custom contract. Search Fund Requests "usually performance-based on Lehman formula."
3. Business Plan Development & Consulting: Custom contracts for business plan consulting and business development services. Plans range from "tune-ups" and executive summaries to full 30+ page color documents with editor and graphics. $100 historically charged for plan evaluation and posting (per 2000 pricing).
4. Sponsor referral & advertising: Standard commissions for referrals of IT providers, consulting companies, legal/accounting/PR/executive search firms. Web site banners and event co-sponsorship. Web-based sponsor referral service.
5. Event cost-sharing & investor event hosting: Entrepreneurs charged venture consulting fees; investor events are free to invited accredited investors. Cost-sharing with co-sponsors (Merrill Lynch, Langley Group, Mahoney & Associates, Adorno & Yoss).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

New Idea Center (operated by eFiltro Co.) is a venture capital consulting firm that screens business plans, provides business plan analysis and rating, and introduces selected early-stage entrepreneurs to its network of venture capital firms, angel investors, and incubators across Florida and Latin America. The firm also organizes exclusive investor networking events and provides business development and consulting services to portfolio ventures, taking performance-based or fixed fees.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Venture Capital Consulting Referral and matchmaking service that identifies venture capital firms, incubators, and angel investors willing to invest in Florida and Latin America, and introduces selected client entrepreneurs to relevant sponsors from the firm's network. Engagement begins with business plan submission and a custom negotiated contract.
• Business Plan Analysis and Rating Paid analytical service priced at $250 that evaluates submitted business plans across 112 variables in ten major plan sections (executive summary, market opportunity, management team, competition, product value, marketing, implementation schedule, business system, organization, risks, financial statements). Produces an overall rating with detailed report and recommendations. Plans accepted in English, Spanish, or Portuguese.
• Business Models and Strategic Plans Investment-grade business plan preparation service ranging from tune-ups, coaching, and executive summaries to full 30+ page color documents. Includes a professional editor and graphics; optional one-hour consultation with directors is available in person or by telephone.
• Business Development Services Advisory services covering sales acceleration, mergers and acquisitions advisory, and new company creation. Includes market research, sales strategy plans, customer representation, office locale selection in USA or Latin America, key advisor recommendations, executive search, and public/investor relations.
• Investor Networking Events and Matchmaking

Named customers21 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

28 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• IBM Corp.flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSigned agreement with eFiltro in October 2000 (announced in Buenos Aires Economico) to provide necessary technology infrastructure for joint projects. Omar Arab, then president of eFiltro Southern Cone, framed IBM as infrastructure partner. IBM has committed more than $1 billion to build relationships with fast-growing Internet start-ups through Global Net Generation Business. Listed as one of eFiltro's principal IT firm partners. CEO Mick Lopez is former IBM Director of Business Development for Latin America.
• ITC VenturescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrazil-based business accelerator offering project engineering services and venture capital financing for early stage Latin American Internet companies. Americas Ventures consortium partner with offices in Santiago (Chile), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Sao Paulo (Brazil), San Francisco (California). Joined Americas Ventures formally in November 2001.
• NewCapital (New Capital)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMexico-based business accelerator and Americas Ventures consortium partner based in Mexico City. Provides matchmaking between entrepreneurs and qualified investors, plus specialized advisory in investment banking, strategic planning, corporate finance, and access to legal, tax and accounting advisors. Joined Americas Ventures formally in November 2001.
• Cenetec (Cenetec Ventures)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHigh-tech business accelerator based in Boca Raton; Scott Adams (CEO and founder of Hiway Technologies) is co-chair of InternetCoast new-technology committee alongside Mick Lopez. Adams and Bill Greene (Cenetec) were speakers at eFiltro angel investor seminars. Zach Bell (eFiltro Senior Partner) was previously General Manager-Miami for Cenetec LLC.
• InternetCoastflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe South Florida Technology Firms Association. Mick Lopez co-chairs InternetCoast's Entrepreneurship and Capital committee with Scott Adams (Cenetec). Co-organizer of US-Argentina Strategic Partners' Forum and other trade missions. Listed as a strategic partner for development of angel investor networks from Miami to Palm Beach.
• vFinance.comcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal investment banking and venture finance portal. Partnered with eFiltro to provide Business Plan Review services and development. eFiltro performs business plan analyses for vFinance on hundreds of plans.
• America Economia / Dow JonescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLeading business news magazine in Latin America (Dow Jones/America Economia). Formed a strategic partnership with eFiltro to develop new venture markets in the region (announced June 2001). Co-organized the I-Biz Business Plan competition through eFiltro site.
• Merrill Lynch Private Asset ManagementminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-sponsor of eFiltro New Idea Center Yacht Cruise events (Feb 2002 and Feb 2003) along with Mahoney & Associates and Langley Group. Joe Monagle from Merrill Lynch Private Asset Management spoke briefly at the Nov 2002 investor event.
• Langley GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-sponsor of eFiltro investor events including Angel Investor Seminar for Broward County (Nov 2001) and Yacht Cruises (Mar 2002, Feb 2003). Mike and Julie Langley. Zach Bell (eFiltro Senior Partner) is also a partner with Langley Group.
• Mahoney & AssociatesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-sponsor of eFiltro New Idea Center Yacht Cruise events aboard the Bottom Line (Feb 2002 and Feb 2003) with Langley Group and Merrill Lynch.
• Adorno & YosscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLaw firm based in Fort Lauderdale. Hosted 15th eFiltro investor event at their Las Olas Boulevard offices (Nov 2002). Charles Pearlman, partner at Adorno & Yoss and former SEC Chief Attorney, was keynote speaker (June 2002) and helped set up the angel fund (per Daily Business Review Feb 2003).
• Spydre LabsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMiami-based accelerator. Founding eFiltro sponsor. Alberto Perlman is CEO of Spydre Labs, specializing in services, technology and distressed companies. Listed as a sponsor alongside IBM, Florida International University, Screaming Media, Tequesta Capital, Kilpatrick Stockton, Latin America Access, University of Miami North-South Center, Numbers @ Work and Worldcap Internet Solutions.
• Worldcap Internet SolutionsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuenos Aires-based incubator. Listed as eFiltro founding sponsor alongside Spydre Labs, Latin American Access, ITC Ventures and Numbers @ Work.
• Screaming MediaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading global aggregator and e-distributor of digital content. Listed as one of eFiltro's founding sponsors.
• Kilpatrick StocktonminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLaw firm. John Carey was a speaker at eFiltro angel investor seminar (June 2001). Listed as founding sponsor.
• Deloitte & ToucheminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAccounting firm. Michael Heller was a speaker at eFiltro angel investor seminar (June 2001).
• Florida International University (FIU) Center for Entrepreneurship and Family BusinesscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Alan Carsrud (FIU Center, formerly of UCLA) was keynote speaker at eFiltro investor event Feb 2003. FIU listed as founding sponsor. eFiltro also partnered with FIU's Net-Biz Business Plan Contest (Feb 2001). FIU targeted as university partner for the angel fund.
• University of MiamicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerZach Bell, co-founder of angel fund and Professor of Entrepreneurship at University of Miami. Listed as founding sponsor (University of Miami North-South Center). Targeted as university partner for the angel fund.
• First Tuesday NetworkminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGlobal monthly networking event for entrepreneurs and investors. eFiltro partners with First Tuesday Chile and Uruguay to sponsor Investor Matchmaking Events (May 2001). Co-organized matchmaking events in Coral Gables. Collaboration broadened during softer Internet market to include biotech, laser and wireless industries.
• Latin America AccessminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMiami-based incubator. Listed as founding eFiltro sponsor alongside Spydre Labs, Worldcap Internet Solutions, ITC Ventures and Numbers @ Work.
• Numbers @ WorkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMiami-based incubator. Listed as founding eFiltro sponsor.
• MicrosoftminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a key IT firm partner. Microsoft/Compaq SpeedStart - Mexico - Business plan competition platform (2000).
• J. Walter Thompson Miami (JWT)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerFully integrated brand communications firm specializing in Latin American, US Hispanic and US general markets. Digital@JWT provides in-depth knowledge of new economy business models. 255 offices in 88 countries. Listed as Media & Marketing partner.
• FastForward / Burson-MarstellerminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerManagement consulting division of Burson-Marsteller. Works with over 40 early stage and multinational new economy companies to enable them to reach specific and measurable metrics including funding rounds. Listed as Media & Marketing partner.
• Center GroupminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProvides relocation and overseas setup services across Latin America, USA and Spain. Helps clients open branches in Buenos Aires or São Paulo, including legal, tax, banking, immigration and operational services. Listed as Support Services partner.
• RegusminorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerGlobal network of serviced offices, virtual offices, executive suites, meeting rooms, and hotdesks for rent by hour, day, month or year. Listed as Support Services partner for temporary office solutions.
• Consulate of Spain - Trade CommissionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsored trade mission of 30 IT companies from Spain visiting Miami (June 4-6, 2001). Co-sponsored with Internet Coast, Beacon Council, Enterprise Florida. eFiltro served as business development and venture consulting for 25 IT firms and as venture consultant advisor.
• Argentina Ministry of Science and TechnologyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInvited eFiltro as venture consultant advisor for Strategic Mission of IT Firms to Florida (March 19-24, 2001, January 2000). 30 IT firms from Argentina visited Miami and Orlando. eFiltro hosted a venture capital panel with Crossbow, Motorola, Softbank, Spydre Labs.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Republic: Multi-product private investment platform (Reg CF, Reg D, real estate, crypto) offering curated startup deal flow to retail and accredited investors. Modern, scalable equivalent of the curated-deal-flow concept eFiltro pioneered in South Florida.
• SeedInvest: Equity crowdfunding and venture platform that sources, vets, and syndicates early-stage deals to a large base of accredited investors. Competes for the same entrepreneur-to-investor pipeline eFiltro serves, with a digital-first, scalable screening model.
• FundersClub: Online venture capital platform running curated, vetted startup syndicates for accredited investors. Directly comparable business model: selective deal intake, institutional-style screening, accredited-investor-only distribution.
• Gust: Global angel investment platform (formerly AngelSoft) that connects startups with angel networks and manages online deal flow, cap tables, and due diligence workflows. Direct competitor to eFiltro's business plan screening and accredited-investor matchmaking service.
• MicroVentures: Online private equity platform that curates and syndicates early-stage deals to a broad investor base. Comparable as a digital-first alternative to eFiltro's regional, invitation-only investor matchmaking events.
• vFinance: Global investment banking and venture finance portal that partnered with eFiltro to provide business plan review services. Operates in the same deal-flow and investor-matching space with broader online distribution.
• AngelList: Online platform matching angel investors with startup deal flow, including syndicates and rolling funds. Competes directly with New Idea Center's curated matchmaking model but at greater scale and lower friction, and has displaced many traditional regional angel networks.
• Wefunder: Crowdfunding platform enabling community-driven startup investment under Reg CF. Overlaps with eFiltro's entrepreneur-to-investor screening and matchmaking value proposition, with a much broader digital footprint.

Broad incumbents

• Crossbow Ventures: Florida/Southeast-focused early-stage venture capital firm that participated in eFiltro's investor network and events. Comparable as a regional venture investor and partner that occupies the demand side of the matchmaking service eFiltro provides.

Regional players

• Florida Funders: Florida-focused venture capital firm and angel network providing capital and advisory to Florida startups. Operates in the same South Florida ecosystem and investor base that eFiltro built, representing both a peer and a potential channel partner.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about New Idea Center