As we near the official end of summer and Q3 there's bound to be some shakeups with the season. Luckily, we've got a roundup of all the acquisitions, new hirings and expansions in the Tampa Bay startup world below.
Who's Moving • Clearwater-based software provider TOPS Software LLC will soon be moving to a bigger headquarters. The company, which specializes in community association management software, has added 35 new employees since 2018 and plans to hit those same numbers in the next 12 to 18 months. The new space will accommodate that growth and the old headquarters will be sold to a Pinellas County area school.
• PipeDrive, the New York City-based platform that streamlines customer relations management, has opened an office in St. Petersburg. This is the second U.S. location for the company, which also has offices in Dublin, Lisbon, London, Prague, Tallinn and Tartu and Estonia.
“St. Petersburg is a fast-growing, highly skilled community of tech talent,” Jeff Paradise, chief revenue officer of Pipedrive, said in a statement. “Plus, it is a vibrant high-growth business community evidenced by it being the second leading community in job growth in the state. We are confident that this market is an excellent match for Pipedrive in our continued employee growth to further bolster support for our customers.”
Who's Teaming Up • SoleVentures, a St. Petersburg startup that helps those in the gig economy access insurance, networking and income, has partnered with a Texas health tech startup.
SoleVentures’ partnership with Austin-based KindHealth will allow SoleVentures’ clients access to health insurance plans for affordable rates.
• Transcendent, an Oldsmar-based business that helps companies track assets and improve workflow, has been snagged by a California software company.
Walnut Creek, California-based ASG has acquired Transcendent for an undisclosed amount. Steven Moore, an operating executive for ASG, has become Transcendent’s new CEO. Lind Hutton, the previous CEO for Transcendent, will remain involved in the company until his retirement later this year. Jerimi Ford will continue to serve as the CTO for Transcendent’s.
Transcendent is the 14th company acquired by ASG in the last 18 months.
• Cybersecurity firm KnowBe4 has acquired the UK-based Twist and Shout Group, which is comprised of Twist and Shout Media and Twist and Shout Communications. Financial details were not disclosed and the UK company will be referred to as "Twist and Shout Communications, a KnowBe4 company" and "Twist and Shout Media, a KnowBe4 company."
Who's Getting a New Office • Florida Polytechnic University has welcomed a new vice president of advancement to its campus.
Kathleen Bowman is joining the Lakeland-based school with a focus on amping up growth and fundraising. She previously served as the chief development officer at the Kranner School of Management at Purdue University. During her time there, the school raised its fundraising average to more than $22M a year. She was also the founder of the Clinton County Ministry of Hope to provide resources to families in need.
• St. Petersburg-based Community Brands, the commerce, payment and business management solutions, received a new CEO and COO.
Ross Croley has been appointed as CEO, and Dave Wirta is now the COO. Croley was previously the interim CEO, after then-CEO Jean-Paul Guilbault left the company. Wirta will be the company’s first COO, after serving as president of Vology, a managed IT services provider.
