Home » Region » West Central: Greater Tampa Bay

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.

The AI Education Project

STEM Outreach
The AI Education Project provides curriculum and programming to help students explore tech-enabled careers.
Alex Kotran
Co-Founder and CEO
logo-Bradenton Area

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
logo - Cyber Florida

Cyber Florida

University Research + Innovation
Cyber Florida positions Florida as a national leader in cybersecurity through education, research and outreach.
Ernie Ferraresso
Director

Florida Polytechnic University

University Research + Innovation
Florida Poly is the nation’s leading institution of change, pushing the boundaries of education in STEM.
logo - Florida Venture Forum

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
logo - FCDI

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
logo - Gulf Coast Research and Education Center

Gulf Coast Research and Education Center

University Research + Innovation
The GCREC offers working research fields and state-of-the-art clean housing and laboratory facilities.
logo - Hillsborough County Agriculture Economic Development Council

Hillsborough County Agriculture Economic Development Council

Economic Development
The FEDC educates, advocates for and connects Florida’s economic development stakeholders.
logo - Synapse

Synapse Florida

Industry Group
Synapse helps entrepreneurs easily find what they need and share what they have to accelerate their success.
Brian Kornfeld
President + Founder
logo - Tampa Bay Tech

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

The AI Education Project

STEM Outreach
The AI Education Project provides curriculum and programming to help students explore tech-enabled careers.
Alex Kotran
Co-Founder and CEO
logo - Duke Energy Corporation

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
logo - Florida Venture Forum

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
logo - Tampa Bay Tech

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
logo - Tampa Bay Waves

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
logo - University South Florida

University of South Florida

University Research + Innovation
A preeminent research university in Tampa, USF empowers students to maximize their potential for lifelong success.
Elizabeth Nelson
Matching Grants Research Program Director, Office of Corporate Partnerships
logo - CAMLS

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