West Central: Greater Tampa Bay
West Central
The greater Tampa Bay area is increasingly recognized internationally as a premier high-tech hub. Fueled by an economic engine at the pre-eminent University of South Florida, the local ecosystem benefits from an influx of capital and a tight-knit community of passionate doers with a shared vision for the future.
trusted collaborators + connections
Our work is powered by collaborative relationships with trusted individuals and organizations that share our spirit of innovation and desire to help.
Duke Energy Corporation
Corporate Innovation
Sustaining Sponsor
Duke Energy is a leading energy company focused on electric power and gas distribution operations.John Fremstad
Director of Innovation + Competitiveness
Economic Development Innovation Initiative (EDI2) of Hillsborough County
Startup + Entrepreneurial Support
EDI2 provides grant funding and support for events and opportunities that help entrepreneurs succeed.
Jennifer Whelihan
Economic Development Manager
Embarc Collective
Startup + Entrepreneurial Support
Embarc Collective is a nonprofit hub deliver that provides individualized support to Tampa Bay startups.
Lakshmi Shenoy
CEO
Florida Polytechnic University
University Research + Innovation
Florida Poly is the nation’s leading institution of change, pushing the boundaries of education in STEM.
Foundation for Community Driven Innovation (FCDI)
STEM Outreach
FCDI supports academic achievement, economic development and the spirit of innovation through active learning projects.
Terri Willingham
Executive Director
Hillsborough County Agriculture Economic Development Council
Economic Development
The FEDC educates, advocates for and connects Florida’s economic development stakeholders.
Institute of Applied Engineering (IAE) at USF
University Research + Innovation
The IAE at USF delivers hardware-and-software-based applied research, advanced technology development, prototypes and technical services.
Sarah Lain
Business Development Director
National Academy of Inventors
Startup + Entrepreneurial Support
The NAI encourages inventors in academia, following the model of the National Academies of the United States.
Jamie Renee
Executive Director
Tampa Bay Economic Development Council (EDC)
Economic Development
The Tampa Bay EDC is the lead designated economic development agency for Hillsborough County and nearby cities.
Adam Myers
Director, Business Development
Tampa Bay Wave
Startup + Entrepreneurial Support
Tampa Bay Wave is a nationally recognized accelerator program that helps build, launch and grow businesses.
Linda Olson
President + CEO
Bradenton Area Economic Development Corporation
Economic Development
Bradenton Area EDC works to create high-wage jobs and connect established businesses to resources.
Max Stewart
Director of Global Business Development
Duke Energy Corporation
Corporate Innovation
Sustaining Sponsor
Duke Energy is a leading energy company focused on electric power and gas distribution operations.John Fremstad
Director of Innovation + Competitiveness
Embarc Collective
Startup + Entrepreneurial Support
Embarc Collective is a nonprofit hub deliver that provides individualized support to Tampa Bay startups.
Lakshmi Shenoy
CEO
Florida Venture Forum
Startup + Entrepreneurial Support
FVF is Florida's largest statewide support and networking organization for venture capitalists and entrepreneurs.
Kevin Burgoyne
President + CEO
InLab@HCC
Startup + Entrepreneurial Support
InLab@HCC is the central hub for innovation, creativity, entrepreneurship and social venturing at Hillsborough Community College.
Mary Beth Kerly
Business Associate Professor
Institute of Applied Engineering (IAE) at USF
University Research + Innovation
The IAE at USF delivers hardware-and-software-based applied research, advanced technology development, prototypes and technical services.
Sarah Lain
Business Development Director
Tampa Bay Tech
Industry Group
Tampa Bay Tech provides annual programming, networking and initiatives to support the local tech ecosystem.
Virginia Lee
Interim Chief Executive Officer
Tampa Bay Wave
Startup + Entrepreneurial Support
Tampa Bay Wave is a nationally recognized accelerator program that helps build, launch and grow businesses.
Linda Olson
President + CEO
USF Center for Advanced Medical Learning and Simulation (CAMLS)
University Research + Innovation
CAMLS is one of the world’s largest, free-standing simulation facilities for training healthcare professionals.
Haru Okuda
Executive Director
USF CONNECT
Startup + Entrepreneurial Support
USF CONNECT facilitates access to programming, business mentors, university talent and research for startups.
Shannon Pastizzo
Program Director
From the Suncoast to the Space Coast, a super region for high-tech industry
