Nominations for Tampa Bay Inno’s second annual ‘Fire’ awards are now open. For a little inspiration (and a brief refresher), check out the last year's class of Fire honorees and Blazer winners.
Across the entire American Inno network, Fire is our premier awards showcase recognizing, spotlighting and celebrating the companies, startups, organizations, executives, entrepreneurs and stakeholders that have had a banner year within the local ecosystem.
What makes a company "on fire"? It could be a huge funding round raised, a stellar partnership that was snagged, or a company that made their debut, emerging from stealth mode. Companies that initiated charitable, give-back programs, hired a mass amount of people, expanded internationally or executed a successful pivot fit the bill. Individuals can also be nominated — they can be those that are leading, supporting or assisting these organizations.
Fire awards are for the people and companies that are positively impacting the region’s innovation economy.
In the age of COVID-19, the 2020 list may look different than in years past. But while Covid-19 has severely affected countless businesses, organizations and industries, it has also galvanized the local entrepreneurial community, inspiring new solutions, pivots and initiatives aimed at combating this pandemic. Across the city, startups, entrepreneurs and the people and groups that support them are finding new ways to build and scale in these unprecedented times. And Tampa Bay Inno Fire Awards will recognize them.
So, we invite you and your team, friends, family to nominate. If someone is helping you scale, pivot or grow, please tell us about them. If you’re aware of a business doing amazing things in Tampa Bay, nominate them. In November, we’ll honor companies and individuals who are cementing Tampa Bay as an innovation hub.
We will award winners in the categories and more:
- Edtech
- Cybersecurity
- Health care
- Pivots (Startups that have had to shift their business model or revamp their business)
- More will be announced when we reveal the honorees
We will announce honorees in late October. Our Inno Blazers, also known as the people and companies that a panel of esteemed judges have selected from our honorees, will be announced during our virtual Inno on Fire celebration in November.
Send in your nominations by October 6, and if you have questions, contact Cat Francis, cfrancis@americaninno.com.
