Tampa technology companies found their stride in the midst of Q2 and remote work due to coronavirus, which led to layoffs for some and promotions for others.
We've got the roundup of all the majors moves happening in Tampa Bay tech companies below.
• Validity, a Boston-based customer data quality startup with a large presence in Tampa, laid off about 130 employees worldwide, including 28 at its principal office in Tampa. The cuts amount to just under a third of Validity’s global workforce, leaving the company with just under 400 full-time workers, chief marketing officer Charlie Ungashick confirmed in an email. Its headquarters are in Boston and its international headquarters are in London.
“Unfortunately, we had 28 employees from our Tampa office who were impacted by our COVID-19 layoff,” Ungashick said, adding the company was in an ‘aggressive growth mode.’
• Launchcode, the St. Louis-based nonprofit that offers coding classes throughout the country, has closed its Florida operations. The company has Tampa and Miami locations — Tampa has been open for a little under three years and currently has a class in session. The facility will close upon the class’ completion in September.
• KnowBe4, the Clearwater-based cybersecurity unicorn, has a new chief information officer. The company announced Colin Murphy has been appointed to the position, who was previously an IT executive for the company.
• Tampa-based Peerfit has a new chief of staff with Facebook ties. The wellness tech company hired Monica Laux as its chief of staff. Laux previously was in the U.S. Marines and focused on analytics partnerships at Facebook. In her new role, she will help the company with its recent focus on digital offerings during the coronavirus pandemic.
• Think Big for Kids, the nonprofit (and 2019 Inno on Fire winner), is expanding its reach. Founded by Tribridge founder Tony DiBenedetto, it has partnered with Boys & Girls of the Suncoast and now reaches all Boys & Girls Clubs throughout Pinellas County. The programming will help underprivileged children with career development and skill development.
• FairWarning, the Tampa-based data protection company, hired a new chief revenue officer. Merrie Wallace has stepped up for the role, after formerly serving as a senior health care industry executive. She’s the latest of several C-level hires: the company recently hired a new chief technology officer and chief financial officer.
• Nickelytics, the marketing tech startup that you most likely know for leaving Italy while in a TechStars accelerator, will now be bringing a piece of that experience with them to Tampa. Anthony DeRico, a former sales director of the North American branch for Techstars, will be joining Nickelytics as its new head of sales. DeRico has also worked for Nielsen and New York City-based startup Skift.launch
