Tampa Bay Innovation
Center Events
TuesdayJuly 10, 2012
8:30 - 10:30 am
StartUp XchangeJuly 16, 2012
5:00 - 7:00 pm
Palm Harbor, Florida
September 17- 19, 2012
Clearwater, Florida
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Partner Events Lunch & LearnOpportunities in Biotechnology
July 12, 2012
12:00 - 1:00 pmTampa, Florida
Basic Government
Contracting
July 12, 2012
1:00 - 3:00 pm
Tampa, Florida
Tampa ScorePreparing Your Business Plan Workshop
July 14, 2012 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Tampa, Florida Business Licenses, Permits and Legal Requirements
August 7, 2012
12:00 - 2:00 pm
Clearwater, Florida
(TBTF)
Tech Jam 2012
August 16, 2012
5:30 - 11:00 pm
Tampa, Florida
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Alzheimer's Research at USF: UnstoppableAugust 7, 2012
5:30 - 7:30 pm
Tampa, Florida
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 WELCOME
This month we're pleased to be celebrating our ninth anniversary supporting the Tampa Bay area technology community.
A lot has happened during those nine years and we're proud to have been part of so many successful efforts aimed at jumpstarting local entrepreneurial efforts. Let's look at some of these:
* The emergence of grass roots technology organizations such
as BarCamp, HealthCamp and Tampa Bay WaVE
* Expansion of mentorship resources through the support of
groups like the CEO Council of Tampa Bay
* Formation of coworking opportunities on both sides of the
bay
* Foundation of an integrated ecosystem to optimize
entrepreneurial success
We've grown and changed over the years as well, morphing from STAR TEC to a broader identity as Tampa Bay Innovation Center, and recently introducing our eHub to bring all our programming under one (virtual) roof.
We look forward to many successful years to come!
Tonya Elmore
President
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 | HIT Receives Honorable Mention at coolTECH 2012 |  For the second straight year, an Innovation Center client has received an Honorable Mention award at coolTech, an annual event that showcases innovations in mobile technology, assistive technology, simulation, green technology and cyber security.
This year's award recipient, selected by a panel of judges, was Homeland Intelligence Technologies, which was recognized for its line of products developed for terrorism deterrence, crime prevention, information dissemination, communication, recording, surveillance and mobility. Last year's award recipient was Altorr Freedom Technologies, creator of new affordable technology for all facets of the healthcare industry.
More than 500 people attended coolTECH 2012, which is presented by Tampa Bay Technology Forum and other community sponsors. Other Innovation Center clients invited to participate included MilitaryParts.com, ReadyAlert Services, Talent Sprocket, Tattle-Trail and Wildbright Technologies, Inc.
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TECH Talk Insights
| Market Research: An investment, not an expense
By Jennifer Metz
 In business, the competition can be the enemy. But there is one way to stay ahead - market research. Regardless of whether a company is just starting out or ready to expand, market research is vital to understanding the market, identifying and understanding customers, and developing realistic targets, business strategies and marketing campaigns.
Based on your industry classification, available from the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) website (http://www.naics.com), you can look at industry trends and regulatory guidelines. This is an important first step in identifying the questions that should be addressed through market research.
Types of Research
Market research is conducted in two ways - qualitative and quantitative.
* Quantitative: This type of research, gathered through
surveys and questionnaires, focuses on predicting patterns
within a market. The data, reflecting market size,
demographics, brand awareness and preference, can be
used to form hypotheses and make decisions relative to
buyer attitudes and behaviors.
(More ...)
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| eHub's Sponsor Spotlight |  We are pleased to highlight the Florida High Tech Corridor Council, (FHTCC), eHub's Host sponsor. The FHTCC is a regional economic development initiative of the University of Central Florida, the University of South Florida and the University of Florida whose mission is to grow high tech industry and innovation in the region through research, workforce and marketing partnerships.
Consisting of more than 25 local and regional economic development organizations and 14 state and community colleges, this unique partnership offers a strategic approach to high tech economic development that includes matching funds research, workforce development and a marketing program that leverages government, EDO and corporate budgets on a regional rather than local basis.
Of particular interest to innovators and technology entrepreneurs is the Florida Virtual Entrepreneur Center, a free web portal designed to connect entrepreneurs with business support organizations, programs and service providers who can support their new or growing business.
Entrepreneurs looking to start, expand or relocate a business, as well as those with other growth questions, can connect easily with resources, programs and service providers through the Center portal.
In addition, businesses and service providers can register with the Florida Virtual Entrepreneur Center at no cost and upload company information to become a resource for other businesses. We encourage local innovators and entrepreneurs to take advantage of these great resources. |
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eHub Club is Open! Join TODAY!
| Tampa Bay Innovation Center is excited to announce the next phase of our eHub...the eHub Club!
eHub Clubbers can attend our monthly eHub Club Lunch in addition to the benefits of the free eHub membership. For only $10 per month, the eHub Club Lunch provides an opportunity to:
* Network with your peers
* Have a few minutes to introduce yourself and your idea or
startup
* Help each other become more successful by sharing
obstacles and successes
This event is open to eHub Club and Top Dog members ONLY. You must pay by Friday, July 6th to be eligible to attend our first lunch - Thursday, July 12 at noon!
For more information, to see a full list of eHub Club member benefits or to join, click here. |
| eHub Member Spotlight
|  We are excited to bring you this month's eHub Member Spotlight! The short interview will hopefully allow you to get to know and possibly be inspired by one of our eHub members. If you missed last month's interview with Brian Graham, you can read it here.
eHub Member: Khosro Hajari, President, Hunting Revolution Inc.
Years in the business: 2
What is the most valuable lesson a professional mentor taught you?
Learn as many trades as you can. Treat them as art and know that you may rely on them someday and have no shame in working.
Tell us about your current project/venture/business.
I have been involved in design and manufacturing of archery and hunting for 4 years now. My latest invention is a mechanical arrow nock that rotates the arrow on the bow string upon shot. It acts similar to rifling on the gun.
Where do you get inspiration and new ideas?
I love to create and come up with ways to improve the sport and enhance the success rate. I truly enjoy what I do.
Who are your heroes in the business world and why?
Inventors and entrepreneurs. They are the people with big dreams and inspiration to make a change.
What book has had the most impact on you in business?
The Success Principles by Jack Canfield
All eHub members are eligible to be featured in our monthly spotlight. Click here to share your story.
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| TECH Talk
|  This month's TECH Talk presentation will be held Tuesday, July 10, 2012 from 8:30-10:30 a.m. at the Microsoft Headquarters in Tampa. Ian Ippolito, founder and CEO of vWorker.com, will discuss how to manage your programmers before they manage you. He will share techniques he has learned from shepherding more than 8,000 software projects monthly. vWorker.com is a global online job marketplace connecting entrepreneurs and professionals with skilled workers in fields such as website design, secretarial services and software development.
Presented by Tampa Bay Innovation Center as part of the eHub, TECH Talk is the area's premier networking and education event developed specifically to meet the interests of the local technology community. Attendees include new and start-up technology companies, as well as entrepreneurs and those interested in the growth and success of technology innovation and entrepreneurism in the Tampa Bay area.
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. Click here to register.
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| StartUp Xchange | You have the perfect business idea, but aren't quite sure what your next step should be. The eHub's StartUp Xchange may provide the advice you need. Entrepreneurs at all stages are invited to attend the next StartUp Xchange from 5-7 p.m. on Monday, July 16 at The Lucky Dill Deli, 33180 US Hwy 19 N, Palm Harbor, FL 34684
StartUp Xchange is an informal monthly gathering of entrepreneurs, innovators and Innovation Center Mentors. Each month, Innovation Center mentors are available to share their advice and experience to help further your idea or start-up. Come on by, have a seat, buy a drink and join the conversation.
Follow the StartUp Xchange Meetup Group here.
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| Innovators' Digest | In case you missed them, here are some recent articles and blog posts for innovators and entrepreneurs.
3 Changes to Make Your Company Grow
By Tom Searcy for Inc.com
A company needs to make some philosophical shifts to go from scrappy start-up to big expansion. Here are three changes that will help.(More...)
Four Rules for Innovative Leadership
By Gwen Moran for Entrepreneur.com
Yesterday's leader can become tomorrow's laggard without innovation and reinvention. Here's how to always stay ahead of the competition. (More...)
Starting a Company from Scratch
By Donna Rosato for Money Magazine
Mitigate the risks of starting a company after 50. Know the industry you're going into and be passionate about it. (More...)
How to Create a Search-Friendly Website
By AJ Kumar for Entrepreneur.com
Here are five of the biggest website structure mistakes with tips on how to avoid them. (More...)
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Tampa Bay Innovation Center supports entrepreneurial success, fosters the creation of high-tech jobs and develops new sources of technology and manufacturing capabilities by nurturing early stage ventures as they grow and launch their products into the marketplace. Programs are tailored to the innovator/entrepreneur and address business intelligence, planning and business formation, strategy execution and technology transition. Tampa Bay Innovation Center recently announced its Entrepreneurs' Hub, which includes programs and a new online community geared toward entrepreneurs, innovators, investors and others interested in the growth of the local technology community.
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
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