The holidays are officially here, but between tough-to-shop for relatives, continuous supply chain woes and delays, and the overall end-of-year stress, gift shopping can feel like one more thing on your to-do list.
So we've gathered 10 Tampa Bay startups making everything from door covers to shortbread, and with this many options, you're bound to check off everyone on your list.
For the overworked parent
For your friend (or yourself) who wants to give the kids in your life the world, now you can.
Tampa-based Little Global Citizens was originally founded as a way to showcase the world to children all without ever leaving their home. For $35 every other month, the kids will receive an activity guide, books, crafts and recipes, all based on the featured country such as India, Egypt and Thailand. Read more about the company's origin story here.
For the person in need of a vacation
Finding time to take off work for vacation is stressful enough, but then actually planning a relaxing getaway? Forget it. But Tampa-based Vacayou brings wellness and active travel options to one landing page. From health and spa retreats to surf vacations, the company helps you narrow down the time, date and location to end up with the perfect fit. It's backed by Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik. Learn more about the company here.
For the sweet tooth
Mary Katherine Sauter originally designed hotel lobbies — but during the Covid-19 pandemic, her services quickly became moot. She called Dan Mitchell, who ran the SMARTstart incubator programs in Pasco County, mentioning she had a Scottish great-grandmother with an award-winning shortbread recipe. After participating in the SMARTstart's food-focused Dade City incubator, she launched Lanky Lassies Shortbread, a play on "long legs, short bread." She first began selling the product across the country and has now opened a storefront in Pasco County.
The company offers bags and tins of shortbread, ranging from traditional flavors like chocolate chip to more unique ones like rosemary Himalayan salt.
For the sports fanatic
When you've already bought them jerseys for all their favorite players — and the socks to match — give them a sports gift with a tech twist.
Screen Skinz offers screen protection for cell phones that features the disappearing logo of almost any professional sports team. The company has licensing agreements with the NFL, NBA and MLB, to name a few.
For the friend obsessed with Banksy
The next up-and-coming artist is right in our backyard. Nneka Jones, a 25-year-old University of Tampa graduate, creates pieces ranging from embroidery to murals, all with a focus on advocating for social and environmental justice. Jones' artwork has been featured on the cover of Time magazine, commissioned by the city of Tampa, added to the permanent collection at the Tampa Museum of Art and was featured in Forbes' Next 1000 lineup.
For the impossible to shop for
When you've spent years giving this person every gift card imaginable, mix it up a bit with a box of local goods. Catapult, the startup crown jewel of Lakeland, compiles treats from across town for its annual gift boxes. The boxes range in size with small, medium and large options, which include goodies like pumpkin spiced hot cocoa mixes and gingerbread swans (as a nod to the Lakeland swans). And if you want more of a focused box, there are two standouts: a coffee box and a spicy box.
For the one who's at networking events every night
Instead of constantly ordering new business cards, get the hustler in your life a product from Tampa-based BŪP. The company, which launched last June, offers wristbands, tags or flat paper-type products that can then be tapped against a smartphone. That takes someone directly to the user’s customized landing page, which has all the information they need in one spot. You can learn more about the company here.
For the eco-conscious
If your friend is always bringing their own reusable silverware and metal straw when you meet up for dinner, consider getting them wooden cutlery from St. Pete-based Foodstiks. They offer wooden knives, forks and spoons as alternatives to not only traditional plastic utensils but "compostable plastic." Bonus: you can order them directly from Target. Learn more about the company here.
For the one who really gets into holidays
Why stick with a simple wreath or flag emblazoned with a sports team logo when you can cover your entire door with festive wrapping? The company was founded in Tampa to help locals decorate for Gasparilla and has now expanded to holidays, sports teams, special occasions (think birthdays and anniversaries) or your own custom design.
For the one who always does the Turkey Trot
PoolFit’s subscription service
Your fitness-focused friend probably already has a gym membership (or two), but what better present than the gift of a fun workout? PoolFit is a Sarasota-based app that gives users access to over 120 pool-centric workouts for $16 a month. You can read up about the company here.
Bonus: For the startup supporter
Subscription to American Inno
We would be remiss if we didn't plug the best gift for startup lovers (in our not-so-humble opinion): A $5 per month subscription to Inno+, which gives access to all 45 Inno markets (including yours truly at Tampa Bay Inno). If you don't want to shell out the cost equivalent of one cup of coffee, there's also our free, startup-focused newsletter that hits your inbox twice a week. Win-win for all!
