Tampa Bay Innovation Center Events
StartUp Xchange
February 21, 2012
5:00 - 7:00 pm
St. Petersburg, FL
IDEA Camp
Application Deadline
February 24, 2012
Event
Wednesday
March 21, 2012
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Clearwater, FL
TECH Talk
Tuesday
March 6, 2012
8:30 - 10:30 am
Tampa, Florida
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Partner Events
Satisfying IRS & State Tax Requirements
February 21, 2012
12:00 - 2:00 pm
Clearwater, FL
Facebook for Business
March 22, 2012
12:00 - 2:00 pm
Clearwater, FL
February 22, 2012
7:00 - 9:00 pm
Largo, FL
BizTech Innovation Summit
March 13, 2012
11:15 am - 5:00 pm
Tampa, FL
SCORE Tampa Chapter
Going into Business Workshop
March 10, 2012
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Tampa, FL
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Community Events
SEEC
March 22 - 24, 2012 University of Tampa
Tampa, FL
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 WELCOME
There's a growing energy in the Bay Area technology and entrepreneurial communities, and Florida is posting some very positive numbers related to its technology capabilities. Here are some positive statistics:
* Florida is the fifth largest
technology employee state.
* Florida's technology sector is broad based, including
software development, mobile apps, internet-based
businesses, bioscience, pharma, research,
military applications and more.
* Florida ranked 12th in the nation for number of
patents issued.
While these numbers are good, we think they also demonstrate the role innovation is playing in our local and regional technology communities. Innovation may be considered the raw material of ideas and concepts that create new products and services. However, as exciting as innovative ideas may be, they require the "fuel" of focus, mentoring and the exchange of ideas to grow into successful business concepts. And that's where the Innovation Center comes in.
Florida and the Tampa Bay area are growing toward critical mass level in terms of technology talent and leadership. We invite you to get involved and learn how we can be of assistance to your idea or startup company.
Tonya Elmore
President |
 | IDEA Camp Hones In on Medical Device and Biotechnology Ventures |
Tampa Bay Innovation Center's upcoming IDEA Camp is concentrated on a strong industry sector in the Tampa Bay area.
Scheduled for Wednesday, March 21 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at St. Petersburg College Collaborative Labs, 13805 58th St. N., Clearwater, FL 33760, the next IDEA Camp will focus on medical device, life sciences and biotechnology ventures - technology sectors chosen for their early stage appeal as well as their importance within the broader local community.
IDEA Camp is a high-energy, interactive event with collaborative workshops and presentations. It is designed to help inventors, entrepreneurs and small business owners refine their "elevator pitch" and communicate their venture's competitive attributes. Participants should achieve the following outcomes while working with experienced professionals in the industry:
* A refined business model
* Credibility for their product or idea through peer
vetting
* Confidence to deliver an effective value proposition
* Better defined concepts to share with mentors and
investors
* New and/or improved ideas based on real-time
feedback
* Momentum to move forward with a "next step" plan
* A refined 60-second pitch for various audiences
* New contacts and resources to help move their idea
forward
Only 12 concepts will be accepted for Tampa Bay Innovation Center's IDEA Camp. (More ...)
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| A Mentor's Tips for Achieving Success
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Following are pointers from Shawn Hughes, CEO of BlueSky Mast, an Innovation Center advisory board member and longtime client mentor, on how best to capitalize on a mentor relationship: - The most important aspect is that the client and mentor must develop trust and respect for each other - becoming willing to share intimate business details.
- Don't be afraid to debate or disagree on decisions. The mentor's unique experiences may well help the client avoid mistakes and improve the chances for success.
- Be coachable and listen openly to the opinion of others. No one has all the answers.
- Bottom line, though, is that the company is on the hook to execute the strategy, so it's up to the client to either embrace, adjust or ignore the mentor's advice.
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| March TECH Talk
|  TECH Talk 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.
Our March TECH Talk presentation will be held Tuesday, March 6, 2012 from 8:30-10:30 a.m. at Microsoft, 5426 Bay Center Dr., 7th floor, Tampa 33607. Our March speaker, Antony Francis, CEO, Head of Lettuce Media, will present "Use Social Media to Build Your Business". Join us to learn how to define and target your audience using social media.
If you haven't yet attended TECH Talk, we hope you'll put this on your calendar. There is no fee to attend, but space is limited and advance registration is suggested at http://www.techtalk2012.eventbrite.com. |
| Innovators Digest
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In case you missed them, here are some recent articles and blog posts.
66 Things You Should Know About Your Customers
By Harvey Mackay for Inc.com
Knowing a company doesn't just mean knowing their professional goals and the products they buy. (More ...)
Mentors: A Young Entrepreneur's Secret Weapon
By Adam Toren for Entrepreneur.com
While startup cash and business experience help, a good mentor is a young entrepreneur's most valuable tool. A mentor helps you think through a business idea, suggests ways to generate that startup capital and provides the experience and savvy you may be missing. (More ...)
A Different Approach to Work-Life Balance
By Jeff Haden for CBS News
Finding work-life balance is particularly difficult for entrepreneurs. Haden suggests that the most important thing you can do is include your family in business ventures.
(More ...)
Startup Hiring: Three Ways to Look Beyond the Resume
By Ryan Mack for Mashable.com
Since there is no such thing as a "typical startup," traditional hiring practices aren't always logical for a new business owner. Learn how thinking outside the box during the hiring process can lead to securing and retaining top talent. (More ...)
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| StartUp Xchange |
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 Tuesday, Feb. 21 at Wood Fired Pizza, 344 1st Ave. S., St. Petersburg, 33701.
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 Jack Rybicki of CliftonLarsonAllen. Learn more and follow the StartUp Xchange Meetup Group here.
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| Follow Us
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Based in Largo, Florida, Tampa Bay Innovation Center is an innovation and entrepreneurship center that assists emerging and entrepreneurial technology companies in accelerating their success. If you'd like to learn more about our services, click here for our website, email us or call 727-547-7340. Tampa Bay Innovation Center 7887 Bryan Dairy Road, Suite 220 Largo, FL 33777   
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