The Accelerator | December 2020
Ramping Up: A Message from our President & CEO
As we wind down 2020, I wish to thank our community for its continued support of our mission and the entrepreneurs we serve. We are pleased to have welcomed so many new founders to our portfolio this past year and look forward to expanding in 2021. Paresh Patel summed it up best in his TECH Talk presentation when he offered this key lesson: "leave the past behind and imagine what the future can be." I, like most everyone I know, am looking forward to 2021 and the new opportunities it presents.

The Center is launching its first series on Cofounder's Connections in early 2021. The new program will allow founders to connect to cofounders and other talent needed to grow their startup in Pinellas County and the region. In January 2021, we will be announcing the program along with our dates for the next CO.STARTERS and B2B Accelerator programs.

From all of us at the Tampa Bay Innovation Center, we wish you the happiest of holidays.

Warm regards,
Tonya Elmore | President & CEO
Tampa Bay Innovation Center
TECH Talk - Building a Powerful Tech Team and Tampa Bay presented by Paresh Patel, chairman & CEO, HCI Group Inc.
We celebrated Global Entrepreneurship Week with serial entrepreneur, Paresh Patel, chairman & CEO, HCI Group Inc. On November 17th, Mr. Patel shared how he has successfully attracted talent and grown several tech companies in Tampa Bay to more than $100M-$300M+. He offered four key lessons he used in growing HCI:

  • Leave the past behind and imagine what the future can be
  • Inspirational leaders establish the culture and set the path for success
  • Look for employees with passion not only experience
  • Focus on investor ROI when seeking funding


Mr. Patel stated that while he raised $13M for HCI, he must have spoken to 500 people and 400 turned him down instantly. The lesson isn't about the 400+ who said no, but the 76 investors that wrote the check and took the chance. He summarized that when investors put faith in your company by writing a check, it is your job to live up to their expectations.

Mr. Patel closed the presentation highlighting the many positives of the Tampa Bay region. He noted the climate and cost of living coupled with the talent pipeline from the local universities make Tampa Bay a natural place to start and grow a tech company. He stated that the region is one or two unicorns from having its own unique tech scene. The region can benefit from more stories like Mr. Patel's to help spread positive messages and grow our entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Inspiring Entrepreneur
Just as the pandemic hit, TBIC received a major gift from Jamie Pews, founder and CEO of the Startup Store. The Startup Store, an St. Petersburg-based company provides a wide array of startup consulting services to B2B companies. TBIC has been named the sole beneficiary of The James R. Pews Revocable Trust. The trust is currently valued at approximately $3 million.

Trustee James (“Jamie”) Pews noted, “I am honored to make this designation happen for the Center as its Board’s passion to make an impact on local startups is in line with my own here at The Startup Store.” The Startup Store, a startup consulting firm founded by Mr. Pews, is already supporting local St. Petersburg-based startups Webtalk, Bloom Intelligence, and Copper Shaker.

Pews further noted, “Tonya Elmore’s years of effort along with the Board of Directors, Pinellas County government and the City of St. Petersburg to recently obtain approval for the design and construction of a new $12 million permanent home for the Innovation Center in St. Petersburg was another major milestone in St. Petersburg becoming the most desirable place to launch a startup. It is that kind of vision, effort, and result that made this a very easy decision.”

The funding won't be immediate as it will pass to TBIC upon Pews death. It is the largest gift in the history of the Center. It is important as the gift sets the stage for other donors, especially as naming rights and other donor opportunities become available for the new Innovation Center.
10th CO.STARTERS Cohort Graduates in Pinellas County

Tampa Bay Innovation Center, in partnership with Creative Pinellas, has graduated its tenth cohort of the CO.STARTERS program. CO.STARTERS is a nationally renowned business development platform that helps local communities grow their businesses. The program provides entrepreneurs the tools they need to survive in their industry, create jobs and add to the economic activity in Pinellas County.
 
The CO.STARTERS curriculum was designed to incorporate a diverse mix of businesses for successful community outcomes. Unlike traditional platforms, CO.STARTERS applies the lean business modeling methods popular among high-growth startups to businesses of all kinds.

The cohorts consist of founders in the creative and tech sectors. “Founders participating in this cohort show us that there is no shortage of talent and creativity. It is amazing to work with entrepreneurs from a diversity of industries. We are pleased to be part of their journey and watching each company as they continue to grow,” said Chris Paradies, chairman and CO.STARTERS facilitator.

The Tampa Bay Innovation Center has graduated more than 125 companies from the CO.STARTERS program. Current graduates include:
·        Lourdes Rosas-Rasdall
·        Patrick A. Jackson, Live Five Productions
·        Maria Aller, Wood Over Water, LLC
·        Patricia Kluwe Derderian, Patikd, LLC
·        Amanda “Mandy” Roberts, BrazenBella
·        Culver Casson, Culvernote Voice Studio
·        Cindy Devine, Devine Designs Jewelry
·        Rick Hurst, Rick Hurst Art
·        Glenyse Thompson, Glenyse Thompson Contemporary Art
·        Rakaile Washington, Roots of Gold , LLC
·        Aleisha Prather, Aleisha Prather Art
·        Colleen Cherry, Other People’s Pets Songs
·        Gina "Aussie" Milinovich, Aussie's ART Yard and Artistic Healing Center
·        Nancy Mizzell

Visit the CO.STARTERS Holiday Gift Guide to purchase from local CO.STARTER graduates.

The next cohort begins in February 2021. To learn more visit the TBIC website.
Upcoming Innovation Center Events
Product Discovery Meetup - Thursday,December 17, 2:30 p.m.
B2B Accelerator Cohort #3 -Wednesday, January 13 - March 31, 2021; deadline to apply is December 4th
Innovation Center Partner Events
1 Million Cups St. Petersburg: December 9th, 9 a.m.
USF Connect: Networking: The Impact and Importance for your Startup, December 8th, 11 a.m.
St. Pete Greenhouse: Keeping Your Doors Open; The Key is in the Numbers, December 10th, 2 p.m.
Business Growth Simplified: High Impact Business Planning Workshop, December 4th
Techstars: Inside Techstars Event, December 8th, 11 a.m.



Tampa Bay Innovation Center has the space, resources, and programs startup founders need to build scalable tech ventures.

Fully furnished offices available with great views of downtown St. Petersburg. Inquire today.
Thank you to our Platinum Sponsor, Pinellas County Government.