A reminder to those who are new to Tampa, or the startup world, or have just been avoiding news and social media sites the last few weeks: Synapse Summit, the innovation summit spanning two days in Amalie Arena, is kicking its third year off tomorrow.
While it's easy to get overwhelmed with over 350 speakers, 300 exhibits and 70 sessions, we've compiled all the major events, while narrowing down the sessions we believe are cannot miss events for entrepreneurs.
Main Stage Speakers/Up Close Sessions
• Day One, 12-1:30 p.m.: Keynote Presentations featuring Dr. Steve Currall, President of USF and Jeff Hoffman, Global Entrepreneur from Priceline and uBid.com
• Day One, 3:30 - 4 p.m.: Funny Fails and Spectacular Successes with College H.U.N.K.S. Founders Nick Freidman and Omar Soliman
• Day Two, 10:30-11 a.m.: Up Close with Arnie Bellini
• Day Two, 11-11:45 a.m.: Up Close with ReliaQuest CEO Brian Murphy
• Day Two, 12-1:30 p.m.: Keynote Presentation featuring Sara Blakely, Founder and CEO of SPANX
• Day Two, 3-3:45 p.m.: A Fireside Chat with Department of Energy Under Secretary Paul Dabbar
• Day Two, 3-3:45 p.m.: Up Close with Jeff Vinik
Break Out Events & After Parties
• Across Day One and Day Two: Pitch Madness
• Day One, 2:30-3 p.m.: Tampa Bay Innovation Center Company Demos
• Day One 4:30-5 p.m.: USF Connect Company Presentations
• Day One 5:30-8 p.m.: Synapse Social- Day 1 After-Party
• Day One 5:30-8 p.m.: NASA iTech Presents: Ignite the Night
• Day Two 9:30-10 a.m.: Florida-Israel Business Accelerator (FIBA)- Cohort Company Demos
• Day Two, 4-5:30 p.m.: Happy Hour Hosted by InVista Talent
• Day Two, 5-7 p.m.: Embarc Collective Official Launch Event
• Day Two, 5:30-8 p.m.: Synapse Social After-Party: Night Out at Sparkman Wharf
Sessions
Day One
• 10-11 a.m. Emerging Tech Talent Hour
The talent hours this year have specific themes, such as women in tech, veterans and health and wellness, but the emerging tech talent is a good bet for local entrepreneurs. Find your next employee or place to work with this session.
• 11-11:45 a.m. Building Your E-commerce and Tech Business for the Ultimate Value Transaction
The panel will discuss how to optimize the value of your tech or e-commerce business, featuring serial entrepreneurs in the tech and e-commerce space who have built, sold and now advise others on their business.
• 2-2:45 p.m.
Unpacking the Promise of 5G in Florida
5G is one of those things that won't be going away any time soon -- this would be a good session to see just how far along the state and region are in getting the technology and what it could mean for your company.
Florida Setting the Bar in Blockchain
Also happening at the same time, some of the region's biggest players in blockchain will be convening to discuss the technology — if you don't know what blockchain is, or just want to learn more about it, it's another hot topic worth educating yourself on.
• 3-3:45 p.m.
Vet-Preneurs: Resources Available for Innovative Veteran Entrepreneurs
For the veteran entrepreneurs, this session is pretty self-explanatory. The region has a lot to offer veteran entrepreneurs, from its proximity to MacDill Air Force Base to Bunker Labs; learn about it here.
Venture, Growth + Debt Capital? A Guide to Successfully Capitalize Your Startup
Some of the country's biggest investment groups are flying down to the Sunshine State. Learn about what they're looking for, why they're looking in Florida and a chance to network with them afterward.
• 3:30-4:30 p.m. Cybersecurity talent hour
Another talent hour worth noting for those in the cybersecurity field, or who want to break into it.
• 4-4:45 p.m. Why Every Entrepreneur Needs to Be Thinking about IP, sponsored by Stanton IP
IP is one of those things that seems daunting, but it is crucial for startups to learn more about it. A session by Stanton IP, a local law firm, is not a bad place to start.
Day Two
• 9-9:45 a.m. Transforming your Business with AWS Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, sponsored by AWS
Amazon Web Services, which will also have an automated vehicle on the ice level of Amalie, will be teaching on the importance of its specific AI and machine learning for your business.
• 11-11:45 p.m. Tech + Talent: Maximize Your Data's Value
Data is one of those vague words everyone feels they should know more about. Check out how you can maximize your company's data through both your systems and people.
• 2:30- 3 p.m. Mayor Jane Castor's Intersection to Innovation: A Call To Action
If you want to learn more about the initiative I wrote about when it kicked off, make sure to check out this session.
• 3-3:45 p.m.
Florida Early Stage Investing
Presented by SEED Florida, this investment session will showcase the investment groups looking to invest in early stage startups, and just how to attract those investors.
Women in Business Talent Hour
Practical Uses for AI and IA (Intelligence Augmentation)
Learn about the difference between artificial intelligence and intelligent automation — there will be real-use examples to demonstrate how your company could possibly use it in the future.
