Beyond the fundings, which continue to rise, and the massive tech companies that are continuing to build in the region, there was a common theme for what readers gravitated toward in 2022: learning about talent in Tampa Bay.
Whether that was young talent, as seen in our 25 Under 25 roundup, or talent creating the buzziest new tech companies of the year, their stories were the ones that garnered the views of the year. We've rounded up the 10 top stories below.
25 Under 25: Meet the rising tech leaders in Tampa Bay
Our most-read story of the year highlighted the young talent in the region that's doing everything from creating apps and making painting easier to marketing firms and a video game partnership with Roblox.
University of Tampa grads launch chocolate shop to bring New York flavor to Tampa Bay
The Hampton Chocolate Factory, which moved to the region in February and is best known for its eye-catching, five-pound ice cream cones, managed to catch the eyes of our readers as well.
Austin and Grant Gappelberg inherited the shop, which originally started in the Hamptons, from their parents after making the pitch to move to Tampa. The brothers now operate the store in Sparkman Wharf, with plans to open a second store in 2023.
Exclusive: Tampa serial entrepreneur lands $21.5 million Series A for software startup
Aharon Chernin is becoming a pillar in the Tampa Bay tech scene, albeit a quiet one that prefers to build his product versus having the company's name splashed in headlines.
Chernin first drew attention to his startups with the founding and subsequent exit of Perch Security, which sold to ConnectWise for an undisclosed amount. Then, he turned toward creating Rewst, which raised a $4 million seed round in August and a subsequent $21.5 million Series A in November. Chernin said he has no immediate plans for future funding and will focus on building out the team and its capabilities with the hopes of becoming the region's next great tech company.
22 startups to watch in 2022
It's always tough to try and guess just which startup standouts we can expect for the coming year, but we try our best based on fundings, expansions, C-level changes and general trajectory.
This year had a particularly strong group that made it tough to narrow down to only 22 companies. And they've in large part proved us right — insurtech company Slide acquired a $400 million stake in an Orlando company this year; the aforementioned Aharon Chernin and Rewst continued drawing in funds; and iApartments had funding, a new headquarters and quadruple growth.
Tampa Bay blockchain startup hits more than $1.5B valuation with latest investment
Blockchain, cryptocurrency and web3 might have been the most talked about industries of the year, but before the crypto winter came on the scene, Michael O'Rourke and Pocket Network were bringing the heat in Tampa Bay.
Pocket Network closed a $10 million funding round in January, which brought the company's valuation to the coveted unicorn status. However, it has since dipped along with the general market.
2022 Fire Awards: Here are the 35 Tampa Bay companies setting the region ablaze
Our annual awards highlighting the biggest movers and shakers in the region was a hit among readers, bringing attention to the newcomers to town, the biggest funding deals, serial entrepreneurs, exits and more.
Tampa Bay founders on their exits, building startups and the toughest decisions they had to make
The Tampa Bay Wave kicked off its new headquarters opening in a big way: By bringing some of the region's most successful entrepreneurs under one roof to discuss the hardships, lessons and wins along their way to building great technology companies.
KnowBe4's $4.6 billion exit is a testament to Tampa Bay's 'scrappiness'
The initial news of Clearwater-based KnowBe4's impending sale just months after going public made waves across the region, but the bigger impact was our follow-up story discussing just what the impending massive sale could do to the region.
The cybersecurity company is set to be bought from Austin-based Vista Equity Partners at the start of 2023 for $4.6 billion. Besides creating more equity in the region with KnowBe4's hundreds of employees, it showcases to investors once again that betting on Tampa Bay is becoming the smart move.
Roundup: Every company that moved to Tampa Bay in April
The year as a whole had plenty of companies relocating, expanding or launching from stealth mode in the region, but April was a big enough month it warranted its own rundown of just who came to town.
Multiple investors, Tesla, biotech firms, data companies and a metaverse-focused startup all made the list. Get the full story.
Tampa tech company Twos closes $1.4M pre-seed round led by local investor
This funding was not in the top 10 or top 20 of the biggest deals of the year in Tampa Bay. But the enthusiastic young founders have made a name for themselves in the local tech circles, best known for throwing up the peace sign to represent their company, Twos. Twos is an app that the co-founders state helps you "simply remember things." It closed a pre-seed round led by TampaBay.Ventures in October.
