The region's biggest technology and innovation-focused conference is back, and between keynotes, exhibitors, panels and networking, it can be easy to get lost in the shuffle.
Synapse Summit will be held Feb. 14 at Amalie Arena, and we've rounded up some standouts you can expect throughout the day below. You can get a full rundown of the programming here.
Keynotes
- 10 a.m.-11 a.m.: Ally Love; a Peloton instructor, Miami native and founder of Love Squad, a community to share career-building and health tips
- 2 p.m.-2:45 p.m.: Florida Invents: Continuing Florida’s Innovation Legacy with Gainesville-based Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, Tampa-based StemRad and Tampa-based Florida Israel Business Accelerator
- 3:30 p.m.-4 p.m.: Cathie Wood, CEO of Ark Invest. Wood made waves in 2021 when she moved her New York-based fund to St. Petersburg.
- 4:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m.: Steve Case, AOL co-founder and CEO of Revolution, a Washington, D.C.-based fund that focuses on investing in states beyond Silicon Valley
Pitch competitions
The conference will have two pitch conferences:
- 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.: Synapse Innovation Awards Showcase, a hybrid showcase with $75,000 up for grabs. Learn more here.
- 4 p.m.-4:30 p.m.: SVB + Synapse Launch: Pitch Competition, with a $150,000 SAFE note on the line
Exhibitors
From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., hundreds of startups from across the state will showcase their companies in booths across Amalie Arena. You can see some of the standouts from last year's exhibitors here.
Money talks
Investing is always a hot topic, but given the state of the current investment market, expert insight is more important than ever.
- 9 a.m.-9:45 a.m.: What are Investors Looking for in this Market, with Orlando-based DeepWork Capital and Orlando area-based leAD Sports
- 12 p.m.-12:45 p.m.: Learning to Thrive: Financial Planning for Navigating a Recession with Cogent Bank, Suncoast Credit Union and Centri Business Consulting
- 2 p.m.-2:45 p.m.: Surviving in a Bear Market: Raising & Deploying Capital with Tampa-based Trenam Law and Panama City Beach-based TechFarms Capital
Emerging tech
Some of the most-discussed innovative industries — artificial intelligence, cryptocurrency and Web3 — will take center stage on Tuesday.
- 11 a.m.-11:45 a.m.: Convince Me to Offer Crypto with CoinFlip and Florida Business Blockchain Association
- 12 p.m.-12:45 p.m.: The Business Case for Web3 Adoption with Tampa-based poktpool Inc., Tampa-based MARVL and the Harvard Innovation Lab
- 1 p.m.-1:45 p.m.: The Disruption of Generative AI with heavy hitters Vu Studio, Symphonic Distribution, Dali Museum and Stanton IP Law Firm
- 3 p.m.-3:45 p.m.: Banking on the Future: How Fintech is Revolutionizing Financial Services with St. Pete-based Allison and Tampa-based Skyway Capital Markets
Doing better business
An emerging trend among panels at Synapse Summit: the focus on social impact and sustainability.
- 1 p.m.-1:45 p.m.: A New Take On The Practice of Corporate Innovation with Raymond James Financial and Florida Power and Light Company
- 1 p.m.-1:45 p.m.: Building a Better Future: How Innovative Communities are Leading the Way with Orlando-based Beep, Orlando area-based Tavistock and Kitson & Partners, Babcock Ranch
- 1 p.m.-1:45 p.m.: Impact: Making the World a Better Place with GTE Financial, Trenam Law Firm and Truist Advisory Services
- 2 p.m.-2:45 p.m.: The Future of Clean Energy with Duke Energy and the Tampa Bay Innovation Center
- 4 p.m.-4:45 p.m.: Reclaim the Future: Harnessing Climate Technology to Meet Our Needs with the Tampa Bay Innovation Center
Miscellaneous
- 9 a.m.-9:45 a.m.: Game On: Level Up with esports, gaming creators, platforms and brands
- 11 a.m.-11:45 a.m.: Executive Leadership: Practical Wisdom from Proven Leaders with TGH’s CEO John Couris and Bob Dixon, who runs the leadership-focused group 5 Eagles Leadership
- 12 p.m.-1:30 p.m.: Florida’s Got Talent: Find Your Next Career Move: A career fair with Citi, Jabil, Deepwork Capital, Coinflip and more.
