Spartan Incubator pitch room. Photo Credit: The Tampa Bay Business Journal.
Inno Guides are designed to serve as an onboarding tool for anyone that’s new to the state’s ecosystem, as well as a refresher for those looking to learn more about Tampa’s startup and tech communities and the resources available to them. If you think we’re missing anything, email us at TampaInfo@AmericanInno.com.
It's been said it takes a village to raise a child; sometimes, in the entrepreneur's case (where their startup is, indeed, their baby) it takes an accelerator (or incubator!) to help grow its business into something more mature.
The Tampa Bay ecosystem is rife with resources to help do just that. In the guide below, we highlight some of the most illustrious in the area, including who the entity is created for, what its niche is (if there is one), some of the resources it offers and much more.
Feel like we're missing something? Drop us a line.
Accelerators
- Who: Sponsored by the AARP Innovation Labs; for "entrepreneurial companies addressing the $72 billion caregiving marketplace." Between the 2016 and 2017 cohorts, 16 Israeli startups participated.
- What: "This six-week intensive program targets disruptive caregiving companies with the mission and passion to address the growing demand for new technologies, products and services for those who care for our most vulnerable people. The Caregiver Accelerator is a powerhouse curriculum that leverages the AARP Policy and Research to benefit not just its 38 million members but all caregivers."
- Where: 801 3rd St. South, #240, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
- When: N/A
- How: A pre-incubation virtual program with 150 page workbook
- Cost: $500 per company
Main entrance to the Florida-Israel Business Accelerator. Photo Credit: FIBA
- Who: 2016 born and lead by the Tampa Jewish Community Centers & Federation; for innovative Florida and Israeli companies.
- What: "The Florida-Israel Business Accelerator is a technology accelerator designed to establish and grow successful, high-growth tech ventures in the Tampa Bay area."
- Where: 522 N. Howard Ave. Tampa, FL 33606
- When: Two sessions beginning in February. 2019 openings are filled, but interested participants are encouraged to contact FIBA about the 2020 programs.
- How: FIBA boasts two programs: FIBA Launch, for earlier stage companies looking to scale, and FIBA PowerConnect, which is aimed at more mature companies with the goal of fostering connections between entities in Florida and Israel.
Minority Business Accelerator — Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce
- Who: A product of the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce Foundation for Black- and Hispanic-owned and created businesses.
- What: "The MBA helps these businesses identify and overcome barriers, which often include limited access to capital, key decision makers, and information. By providing practical tools for change, program participants are positioned to increase capacity, create jobs and build wealth. Thus, creating a diverse and inclusive business community and acting as a catalyst to drive positive economic impact in Tampa and Hillsborough County, Florida."
- Where: 201 North Franklin St., Suite 201 Tampa, FL 33602
- When: N/A
- How: The program offers benefits like "business assessment and accelerated growth plan development" and "executive cohort sessions."
The Spartan Incubator. Photo Credit: The Tampa Bay Business Journals
- Who: Led by the University of Tampa; for current students and new alumni.
- What: "The Spartan Accelerator and Incubator program is designed to help current students and recent alums grow their business ideas."
- Where: 401 W. Kennedy Blvd.,Tampa, FL 33606-1490
- When: Applicants can apply each semester.
- How: Through boot camps and other activities, participants are paired with a "launch team of experts" and are taught according to the lean startup business model. The Spartan Accelerator Seed Fund offers students an opportunity for potential grants ($100,000 of which have been given since 2015). Additional benefits include free legal counsel and access to designated space within the Lowth Entrepreneurship Center.
- Who: Led by Tampa Bay Innovation Center, an area nonprofit, for manufacturing and tech companies.
- What: "We connect young companies with capital and coaching. We help get companies off the ground and on maps."
- Where: 501 1st. Ave. N., Suite 901, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
- When: N/A
- How: The Accelerate Program ($300 per month) boasts coworking opportunities, four hours of one-on-one mentorship per month with an entrepreneur; and free participation in the Catalyst series. The Tampa Bay Innovation Center also offers business coaching, coworking and other resources.
Photo Credit: The Tampa Bay Business Journal
- Who: Established "by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs."
- What: "Tampa Bay Wave is an entrepreneurial hub where tech companies of all sizes come to build, launch, and grow. We believe in empowering our members to turn innovative ideas into breakout tech businesses in Tampa Bay. More than just an accelerator, Tampa Bay Wave is a community that offers coworking, mentoring, and funding opportunities to help our entrepreneurs succeed."
- Where: 500 E. Kennedy Blvd., Suite 300, Tampa, FL 33602
- When: Applications close March 31.
- How: The accelerator offers three "phases" for participating companies, depending on their stage and needs: build, launch or grow. Program leaders "are determined to help Wave entrepreneurs advance their startup to the next accelerator phase within 6 to 12 months of starting the program." Tampa Bay Wave also offers a post-accelerator program, coworking, a TechDiversity program, mentor network and more.
Incubators
- Who: Entrepreneurs of all kinds.
- What: "The SMARTstart Pasco Business Incubator is an innovative strategy program to engage entrepreneurs, grow new businesses and create job opportunities in Pasco County."
- Where: 16506 Pointe Village Drive, Suite 101, Lutz, FL 33558
- When: N/A
- How: The incubator utilizes a suite of resources for participants, from consulting and mentoring to a partner network, strategic planning, financing and more.
Photo Credit: Tara Moore, Getty Images
- Who: A 2012-born entity formed from a partnership between the University of South Florida's Center for Entrepreneurship and the Office of Research & Innovation; student companies are welcome to participate.
- What: "The Center's faculty, staff and alumni support and mentor the student companies through education, training, and connection to the business community."
- Where: The University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., BSN 3331, Tampa, FL 33620
- When: N/A
- How: N/A
Tampa Bay Innovation Center — Incubator
- Who: Led by Tampa Bay Innovation Center, an area nonprofit; for manufacturing and tech companies in the Tampa Bay area.
- What: "We connect young companies with capital and coaching. We help get companies off the ground and on maps."
- Where: 501 1st. Ave. N., Suite 901, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
- When: N/A
- How: The incubation program offers business coaching, a furnished office, cooperative marketing and more.
Other Helpful Entities
- Who: A host of area organizations serve as partners, such as the Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce.
- What: "Clearwater Business SPARK is a network of resources provided by our partners to support businesses and entrepreneurs in every stage of development so that you may easily identify and obtain the resources you need to grow in the greater Clearwater area."
- Where: N/A
- When: N/A
- How: Financing, continuing education opportunities, maker spaces, workforce development (and more) are all under SPARK's purview, thanks to its network.
Photo Credit: Thomas Barwick, Getty Images.
- Who: Embarc Collective helps Tampa Bay’s startup talent build bold, scalable, thriving companies.
- What: "We are not a co-working space, accelerator or incubator. We are a new kind of support model, one where your company's experience at Embarc Collective is customized around your priorities to help your growth.
- Where: 802 E Whiting St, Tampa, FL 33602
- When: "We review applications on a rolling basis and will reach out to you with next steps if we see mutual fit between your company and our support."
- How: The incubation program offers individual support to startups within their state-of-the-art facility. Embarc Collective is launching an accelerator program in May 2020.
- Who: Operated by the Hillsborough County Economic Development Department
- What: "The Entrepreneur Collaborative Center (ECC) was established by the Hillsborough County Economic Development Department in 2014 to provide entrepreneurs easy access to business service providers, resources, mentorship, and specialty training."
- Where: 2101 E. Palm Ave. (Parking at 2109 E. 11th Ave.), Tampa, Florida 33605
- When: N/A
- How: The ECC offers mentoring, events, a collaborative space and more; host site for the 1 Million Cups Tampa.
- Who: Led by the City of St. Petersburg and St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce
- What: "The Greenhouse is St. Petersburg’s front-door to business growth, providing business owners and entrepreneurs with the education, resources and assistance necessary to thrive in the local economy.
- Where: 440 Second Ave. N. St. Petersburg, FL 3370
- When: N/A
- How: Events, programs and other resources.
- Who: A 2008-established early stage venture fund, Dreamit has worked with more than 300 startups building tech products that have "demonstrable traction" with a desire to grow rapidly.
- What: "Dreamit Ventures is a fund and accelerator focused on startups with revenue or pilots that are ready to scale."
- Where: While Dreamit has offices in both New York City and Philadelphia, it has considerable presence in the Tampa Bay ecosystem. For example, its UrbanTech track gives participants a chance to work closely with Strategic Property Partners, which is in turn developed 53 acres of Tampa into "a connected, data-driven, sustainable district."
- When: March 25 is Kickoff Week for the program.
- How: Dreamit offers three accelerator verticals: the aforementioned UrbanTech option, HealthTech and SecureTech. Founders participate in the entity's Customer and Investor Sprints, work with a wide network of both alumni and advisors, receive hands-on coaching and more.
