The wisest explorers make sure to take a look at a map before their journey. Or at the very least, have one handy.
When diving into a startup or tech ecosystem, it can be helpful to have a map, too, and that’s what we want this “Ecosystem at a Glance” document to serve as: a starting place, on-boarding tool and refresher for those both new to and familiar with the city’s innovation economy. At the very least, it will help you sound like you know your stuff at your next meetup.
Below, you’ll find basic insights into the startup and tech community in Tampa Bay — everything from its unicorns to universities, as well as the Twitter handles for those area thought leaders whose news
For comprehensive information on Tampa coworking spaces, funding opportunities and more, check out our Guides section here for a full suite of additional resources.
UNICORNS
- ConnectWise | "We have a simple mission at ConnectWise – to enable technology companies to achieve the highest level of profitability and service to their"
- KnowBe4 | "KnowBe4 is a platform for security awareness training and simulated phishing attacks."
Notable Companies
- A-LIGN | "A-LIGN is a security and compliance solutions provider."
- Abacode | "Abacode is a cybersecurity and compliance services company."
- Aspen RxHealth | "Aspen RxHealth is a service powered by an app-based platform that connects pharmacists with patients."
- Bridge | "Technology and data-driven solutions for the beverage alcohol industry."
- CoLabs | "CoLabs is a software incubator that partners with industry leaders to build AI powered, category-changing solutions."
- ComplianceQuest | "ComplianceQuest is a cloud-based Enterprise Quality Management System native on Salesforce."
- Digital Hands | "Digital Hands provides its clients with managed security services."
- Homee | "Home Services On Demand"
- Immertec | "Immertec is a virtual reality platform for medical device companies to train their physician customers in real-time."
- Knack | "Enabling college students to build and showcase the skills needed for success in the classroom & the 21st-century workplace."
- Lumina Analytics | "Lumina is a big data analytics company"
- Peerfit | "Peerfit is a digital platform that’s helping insurance carriers, brokers and employers redefine corporate wellness programs."
- Professional Credentials Exchange | "Professional Credentials Exchange is a digital marketplace for verified professional credentials."
- ReliaQuest | "A pioneer in IT security solutions, ensures organizations remain secure and compliant as the IT world changes."
- SiteZeus | "SiteZeus is designed to offer brokers, consultants and retail concepts a turnkey, cloud hosted/internet platform for site selection."
- Syniverse | "Syniverse is the world’s most connected company—we pioneer innovations that take businesses further."
- Washlava | "Washlava is a shared laundry experience that reserve and pay for washers and dryers using a smartphone."
Area HIgher Education
- Brewster Technical Center
- The Center for Neurosomatic Studies
- Clearwater Christian College
- Eckerd College
- FastTrain College
- Florida College, Tampa
- Florida Polytechnic University
- Galen College of Nursing
- Global IT University - Clearwater, FL
- Gulf Coast College
- Hillsborough Community College
- IT University Online
- ITMO University
- Loraines Academy Inc
- National Aviation Academy
- Pinellas Technical Education Center
- Red Vector Online School
- Saint Leo University
- St Petersburg Theological Seminary
- St Petersburg College
- The University of Scranton - Online
- The University of Tampa
- Ultimate Medical Academy
- University of South Florida
- University of South Florida College of Medicine
- USF St. Petersburg
- USF Sarasota-Manatee
Community Builders
It’s hard to make an all-encompassing list of those folks who are leading the charge within Tampa Bay’s tech ecosystem. But we’ve made a start by assembling some below, including their Twitter handle and bio. They’re folks whose perspective can widen yours. American journalist Margaret Fuller said it best: “If you have knowledge, let others light their candles in it.”
• Lakshmi Shenoy, CEO of Embarc Collective. Twitter: @lshenoy. LinkedIn: lakshmishenoy
• Brian Kornfeld, co-founder of Synapse Florida. Twitter: @therocketmanBK. LinkedIn: brian-kornfeld-mba-53613030.
• Linda Olson, executive director of the Tampa Bay Wave. LinkedIn: LindaKOlson.
• Rachel Feinman, director of the Florida-Israel Business Accelerator. LinkedIn: RachelMFeinman.
• Daniel James Scott, founder of Tampa Bay Tech. Twitter: @sparkcatalyst. LinkedIn: SparkCatalyst.
• Tony DiBenedetto, founder of Tribridge and Think Big for Kids. LinkedIn: Tony-dibenedetto-8ba0588.
• Marc Blumenthal, partner at Florida Funders. Twitter: @marcblumenthal. LinkedIn: Marc-Blumenthal.
- Tracy Ingram, serial tech entrepreneur. Twitter: @tracyingram. LinkedIn: TracyIngram.
• Gabe Higgins, co-founder of BlockSpaces. Twitter: Crypto_Edge. LinkedIn: GabeHiggins.
• Rich Heruska, former accelerator director at the Tampa Bay Wave and serial entrepreneur. LinkedIn: RichardHeruska.
• Allison Barkley, founder of Tampa Bay Startup Week Twitter: @thatgirlallie. LinkedIn: barkleyallison.
• Rebecca White, director of the John P Lowth Entrepreneurship Center at the University of Tampa. LinkedIn: DrRebeccaWhite.
