Mid-March brought the coronavirus pandemic, shuttering business offices across the nation. April allowed startups and local organizations to lay the ground work for supporting those in need.
We've rounded up all coronavirus related stories we covered in April and the efforts those have taken in the community to help startups succeed.
You can read biweekly updates on how coronavirus is affecting the local tech and startup ecosystem in our newsletter, The Beat.
How Startups Are Adapting
• Makers including Buzzpop Cocktails Inc., Made Coffee and Conscious Coconut are grappling with the shutdown of brick-and-mortar stores and a slowdown in international production. More here.
• Travel and hospitality startups Fab Stayz, GuestWings WanderSeat, ShortStaf and Guestbox are diving back into the basics while their industries are currently on hold. Websites updated, new shifts in marketing and eyeing future new customers are all underway for these startups. More here.
• Tampa-based Nickelytics had to cut its time short in the TechStars Smart Mobility accelerator program held in Italy. However, it's still fostering partnerships with two international organizations after connecting in the program. Find out more here.
• Accelerator and incubators like Embarc Collective, Florida-Israel Business Accelerator and the Tampa Bay Wave were largely prepared to go remote with their companies. They're offering new resources with renowned entrepreneurs and helping with funding. Get the full story here.
• Lumina Analytics reconfigured its data-gathering platform and reporting app to specifically gather and analyze coronavirus-related data. More here.
• Seniors Helping Seniors is hiring one new senior caregiver a week, with hazard pay through the pandemic.
Resources
• Synapse Florida announced the launch of Synapse Converge, a three-day conference slated for June. It will help innovators connect with one another, discuss pivots during the pandemic and hear keynotes on pertinent industry topics. Get the full details here.
• Kevin Coppins, the CEO of Spirion, has teamed up with the St. Pete Area Chamber of Commerce to launch the ‘This One’s On Us’ initiative. The goal is to raise funds to provide meals for restaurant employees, either to take home to their families or feed others in need. More here.
• Social Venture Partners, a national organization that connects nonprofits with business professionals to further development, created a website to show just how hard hit Tampa Bay nonprofits have been. According to the site, the total Tampa Bay impact clocks in at more than $12 million and growing. Learn more here.
• The Tampa Bay Wave created the Rising Tide Relief Fund to help startups in limbo with, or who did not receive, PPP funding. Learn more on how to donate and apply for the funds here.
• Almost a dozen Tampa Bay companies are hiring tech jobs right now. Get the full list here.
• The City of St. Petersburg launched its Fighting Chance Fund, which helps St. Pete-based small businesses and individuals with $5,000 and $500 donations, respectively.
• The Tampa Downtown Partnership launched the Downtown Reinvestment and Relief Fund, which will provide a total of $50,000 for small businesses.
• The City of Tampa launched its One Tampa: Relief Now, Rise Together, although it hit its capacity within a day and a half. The mayor has asked officials to re-open the fund.
Those That Have Helped Health Care
• Oragenics, a Tampa-based biotech company, acquired Tampa-based biotech Noachis Terra Inc. startup in mid-April. With the acquisition came a National Institutes of Health license to create a vaccine for coronavirus. Learn more here.
• Local hospitals including Tampa General Hospital, AdventHealth, BayCare Health System and Manatee Memorial Hospital have partnered with Tampa-based analytical software company SME Solutions Group Inc. to share data among 51 total hospitals. More here.
• Balaji Ramadoss and Heather Holland, the co-founders of Edgility, are not only working on their healthtech startup, but have also taught themselves to sew masks for health care workers at night. Learn more here.
• A St. Petersburg College professor is using a 3D printer to create PPP for health care workers. Learn more.
