Our fifth annual bracket-style tech challenge has officially kicked off.
We went through nominations, emails and plenty of our own reporting to tap 32 companies that will face off in our-to-head challenge, which will span the month of March.
We've got unicorns, newly launched companies and plenty of emerging startups that are climbing their way to success. They're doing everything from cybersecurity to sports tech. And they're all vying for the bragging rights of winning Inno Madness.
To further up the ante, a Tampa-based cyber company, Paragon Cyber Solutions, has won the last two years. Could this be the year we crown a new champion? That will be up to you.
Each week, we'll ask you, the lovely reader, to vote. It can be based on whatever you want — it could be for the company you think has the best chance to succeed, or one that is simple offering a cool service you dig.
We've unpacked up the first round of matchups below.
Matchup 1
KnowBe4: The Clearwater-based cybersecurity went public in 2021 before Austin-based Vista Equity Partners bought it in February, returning it to a private company in a $4.6 billion deal.
Bedrock: A St. Pete-based company that helps procurement and finance teams recover lost revenue, simplifies payments, minimizes risk and reduces onboarding time.
Matchup 2
ReliaQuest: The Tampa-based cybersecurity firm, which became a unicorn in 2021, is also heavily involved in innovation hub Embarc Collective and has the naming rights to the former Outback Bowl, now dubbed the ReliaQuest Bowl.
Tech & Flow: A St. Pete-based startup that offers financial technology and education to empower users to build wealth.
Matchup 3
Cirkul: The Tampa-based innovative water bottle company is known for going viral on TikTok and hitting unicorn status in 2022.
Hyalta Aeronautics: A St. Pete-based company offering patented, unmanned systems to be used for military and commercial purposes.
Matchup 4
OPSWAT: The Silicon Valley transplant moved to Tampa Bay in 2021 and has since raised over $100 million with the goal to eventually go public.
Cope Notes: The Tampa-based startup offers an SMS messaging system to provide a personalized messaging platform for user's mental and emotional well-being
Matchup 5
A-LIGN: It is a fast-growing Tampa-based cybersecurity company with five offices worldwide. It has doubled its headcount since 2020.
Sensie: A Tampa-based wellness tech startup that uses smartphone sensors to measure a user’s emotional state. It recently partnered with a Johns Hopkins lab, tapping the head of the lab to become Sensie's 'chief intelligence officer.'
Matchup 6
Deepwatch: A Tampa cybersecurity technology company that closed a $180 million Series C in February and brought on a CFO known for taking companies through major acquisitions.
Blue Innovations Group: A St. Pete-based company headed up by a former Tesla executive who is launching an electric boat company
Matchup 7
AeroVanti: A Sarasota-based company that allows users to rent luxury jets and yachts. It closed a $100 million funding round in October.
AppyHour: A Tampa-based app that showcases where live music, food and drink deals are happening locally
Matchup 8
Slide: An insurance technology startup launched in late 2021 by Bruce Lucas, the former founder of publicly traded Heritage Insurance
Kitchenery: A Tampa-based company building a line of cordless small kitchen appliances like toasters, blenders and mixers that participated in the Techstars Stanley Black & Decker accelerator.
Matchup 9
Funnel Leasing: A Lutz-based company focusing on streamlining the rental and leasing industries. It closed a $36.5 million Series B in February 2022.
Paragon Cyber Solutions: A cybersecurity company providing expertise to startups, government agencies and commercial companies. It was is a two-time winner of Inno Madness, taking the crown in 2021 and 2022.
Matchup 10
Red Rover: Founded by PODS co-founder, it improves upon the previous model that offers a patent-pending ramp system and trucks for free at various locations, simply charging for the cost of the container. In the two years since the launch, the company has raised $75 million.
Convee: A Clearwater-based startup that aims to be the DoorDash of returning items. Customers can head to Convee’s website or app, input the item they wish to return — for example, Nike running shoes — and state whether it needs an in-person return or to be shipped back.
Matchup 11
Rewst: A Tampa-based startup that uses robotic process automation to help small and medium businesses automate business tasks easier. It was co-founded by Aharon Chernin, who previously founded Perch Security, which ConnectWise acquired in 2020.
Glewee: A Clearwater-based company that works as a broker of sorts for brands and influencers to ensure a solid deal on both ends. It works with more than 675 brands and 11,000 influencers.
Matchup 12
Nucleus Security: A Sarasota-based B2B SaaS company launched in 2018 with a specific focus on vulnerability management. It closed a $20 million round in 2022.
Twos: A Tampa-based company that’s part social media, part note-taking app and closed a $1.4 million pre-seed round in 2022.
Matchup 13
Coherent: A global software company that tapped Tampa as its U.S. headquarters in 2021. It raised $75 million in 2022.
LunaJoy Health: A St. Pete-based startup backed by Y-Combinator and offers a digital care clinic for women throughout their life span, from puberty to perimenopause.
Matchup 14
HSP Group: A Tampa-based company that develops software to better help companies expand overseas. It has raised more than $20 million in funding raised since its launch in 2020.
Signature Athletics: The Tampa-based company launched a patent-pending technology that allows parents to directly order their uniforms — as well as team merchandise and some sports equipment — that lets the apparel be made on-demand and entirely in the U.S. In 2022, it closed a $2 million "seed plus" round.
Matchup 15
Genesis Systems: Offers a product that it says takes condensation from the air and, with the help of technology, creates new, clean drinking water with it. It closed a $10 million seed round at the start of 2022.
Spontivly: A St. Pete startup that moved to the region in January 2022 with its community-focused SaaS technology. It has been on a funding streak since, racking up investors like Mark Cuban and TampaBay.Ventures.
Matchup 16
Abacode: A Tampa cybersecurity and compliance firm that closed $9 million last year and recently added a chief strategy officer to its lineup.
Ideal Agent: A proptech company offering a platform that connects sellers and buyers with brokers nationally. The company was the runner-up in 2021's Inno Madness competition.
