There are the keynotes, the panels, the networking and happy hours aplenty.
But the true stars of the annual innovation-focused Synapse Summit are the startups.
Amalie Arena was chock-full of emerging companies showcasing their work on Tuesday, from underwater sea technology to AI-powered study guides. We've gathered up the 10 startup booths that caught our eye at the annual event below.
Sober Roots
Based: St. Petersburg
Started: 2021
What they do: The company was founded in 2021 after its founder Monica Smith underwent chemotherapy for colon cancer. She was looking for products to help her hair grow back in a healthy way but could not find an alcohol-free option. She now offers a leave-in conditioning cream with plans to start targeting the medical space.
Fungible Chocolates
Based: St. Petersburg
Started: 2021
What they do: Offers chocolate with lion's mane mushrooms, which can help balance the nervous system. Its CEO Maria Paula Garces plans to launch two new flavors in March — one to help with energy and the other to help with immunity.
Tee-Line
Based: Tampa
Started: 2016
What they do: The product helps children hit a center line on a ball, versus over or under. It is sold online with the hopes the product can eventually incorporate data analytics.
Tampa Deep Sea XPlorers
Based: Tampa
Started: 2020 with production slated for next year
What they do: Offers an autonomous underwater vehicle primarily used for deep sea mapping. It is entirely bootstrapped, running from funding it has received from pitch competitions and research grants, including earnings from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Monic.ai
Based: Tampa
Started: The site launched in February
What they do: The University of South Florida-backed startup offers ways to create study materials and flashcards through AI technology. It will have two facets: One will be focused on students and the other focused on universities providing content.
WhatToGetMom.com
Based: New Port Richey
Started: The site launched on Feb. 10.
What they do: Works with local vendors to provide a landing page for women's-focused gift ideas in various categories, including sports, the beach and fashion. It is backed by the Pasco County Economic Development Corp.
LexDock
Based: Tampa
Started: 2018
What they do: It is a legal SaaS company that allows users to conduct legal affairs in one secure setting. It was part of the Tampa Bay Wave's TechWomen Rising cohort in 2021 and has a partnership with CareerSource Tampa Bay.
Rees
Based: Tampa
Started: 2019
What they do: The company is an acronym for "respect, educate, empower, survivors." It provides an online platform for users to report bullying and harassment in any environment, including in higher education, sports and the workplace.
The Kidpreneur Club
Based: Pasco County
Started: 2022
What they do: This is a nonprofit that was previously dubbed the Tampa Children's Business Fair. It is aimed at 6-year-olds to 16-year-olds and provides a place for the children to sell their products and booths, focused on underrepresented communities.
3wSecurity LLC
Based: Tampa, after moving from Lexington, Kentucky in 2022
Started: 2019
What they do: Its product, ShadowKat, identifies changes in a user's network they may not have been aware of.
