Tampa Bay Innovation Center Events

 

 
Pinellas County Economic Development

Each year, more and more opportunities become available in the Tampa Bay area for technology innovators and entrepreneurs.  Following our mission, which is to serve as the focal point of innovation for the State of Florida and the Tampa Bay region, Tampa Bay Innovation Center will always strive to identify and work closely with these groups, events and organizations and then share their information throughout the community.  And by doing so, we can use community resources productively and avoid duplication of efforts. 

Cooperative efforts are already paying off.  Perceptions of the strength of the local entrepreneurial community have certainly improved, as is indicated in a recent Kiplinger article that we've summarized in the following section.  I think we can all agree this is a positive step.  
   
Throughout the past year, as we met with clients, innovators and other entrepreneurs, we were able to identify resources that cultivate and support the Tampa Bay entrepreneurial community. Based on that experience, our team developed tips on what local entrepreneurs should do to be more successful in 2012, and you can read these ideas in the enclosed article. We welcome your suggestions on how to further a spirit of successful technology entrepreneurism in our community.
 
On behalf of all of us at Tampa Bay Innovation Center - our clients, mentors, board and committee members and staff -- we wish you a happy (and successful) New Year!  

This past month, Kiplinger announced their 10 great cities to start a business. Tampa joined the ranks of cities like Washington D.C. and San Francisco, recognized by the publication for their local government initiatives and tax credits for small businesses as well as the area's extensive resources for entrepreneurs. Kiplinger's site noted that "local nonprofits, such as the Tampa Bay Innovation Center, connect entrepreneurs with mentors and organize frequent conferences and networking events." The Tampa entrepreneurial community makes the city the perfect place to start a business and we are proud to be a part of it.

http://www.kiplinger.com/slideshow/10-great-cities-for-starting-a-business/11.html

1.    Participate in a camp - IDEA Camp, Health Camp, Bar Camp....The camps are in-depth and affordable sessions that can help you network as well as discuss and even vet your idea.  
 
2.    Drop in on a Meetup group and/or membership organization of fellow entrepreneurs and industry professionals.  This is a great way to network and learn from other entrepreneurs. Tampa Bay Innovation Center conducts a monthly mentoring meetup, StartUp Xchange.  In addition, there are a wide variety of industry meetups including those organized by Tampa Bay Technology Forum, Tampa Bay WaVE, Florida Federal Contractors Association, Florida Medical Manufacturers' Consortium and BioFlorida.  Whatever your interest may be, you can find a group!

3.    Network, network, network.  In addition to Meetup groups and membership organizations, there are many other opportunities to connect with other innovators and entrepreneurs.  Each year, TBTF's TECH Jam raises money to prepare Tampa's at-risk youth to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math. Beyond being for a great cause, it allows participants to network with more than 600 local professionals. In addition, TECH Talk, hosted by the Innovation Center, is a free monthly breakfast, networking and education event specifically geared to the interests of the Tampa Bay area's innovation and technology entrepreneurship communities with a different speaker each month.    
 (More ...)

   (reprinted from NBIA Memberabilia, Dec. 22, 2011)

After five years of failed attempts, the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate have agreed to a six-year reauthorization of the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs. The programs have limped along on short-term reauthorizations - 14 of them since full authorization expired in 2008. The current authorization had been scheduled to expire Dec. 15, but a House-Senate conference committee approved the new measure Dec. 12 as part of the government's main defense appropriations bill.

The House had proposed a three-year reauthorization, while a Senate bill put forth by Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., and co-sponsored by Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, and eight other senators, called for an eight-year renewal. The six-year reauthorization approved in both houses of Congress was attached to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012. The measure was sent to President Barack Obama, who is expected to sign the bill into law. (More ...)

Have questions about your next steps in entrepreneurship?  Entrepreneurs at all stages are invited to attend the next StartUp Xchange from 5-7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 23 at Taps Wine & Beer Merchants, 777 N. Ashley Dr., Tampa.

This is a great informal opportunity for entrepreneurs, talent in transition, scientists, funders, innovators, technology professionals and engineers to make connections in the Tampa Bay area innovation marketplace and learn from each other and from the Tampa Bay Innovation Center mentors whose experience can help further their idea or startup company.  

Our mentors will be Mike Eitler, Group125; Chris Paradies, Fowler White Boggs; and Ron Stein, FastPath Marketing, LLC.  

Follow the StartUp Xchange Meetup Group here.