Tampa Bay Innovation
Center Events
Friday
November 16, 2012
8:30 - 10:30 am
Tampa, Florida
December 3, 2012
5:00 - 7:00 pm
Palm Harbor, Florida
December 6, 2012
12:00 - 1:30 pm
Largo, Florida
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Partner Events
9th Annual Industry Achievement Awards Gala
November 16, 2012
6:00 - 11:00 pm
St. Petersburg, Florida
Sales and Marketing Workshop
November 24, 2012
9 am - 12 pm
Tampa, Florida
2013 Florida Venture Capital ConferenceJanuary 31 - February 1, 2013
Ponte Vedra, Florida
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COMMUNITY EVENTS
February 11, 2013
8:00 am - 1:30 pm
Tampa, Florida
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WELCOME
On October 30th, the Pinellas County Board of County Commission presented the Tampa Bay Innovation Center with a Proclamation recognizing November 12-16 as Global Entrepreneurship Week. As part of this effort, we are pleased to offer two special programs: IDEA Camp on Wednesday, Nov. 14 and TECH Talk on Friday, Nov. 16.
 | | Pinellas County Recognizes Global Entrepreneurship Week 2012 |
Global Entrepreneurship Week is about unleashing ideas and doing what it takes to bring them to life - spotting opportunities, taking risks, solving problems, being creative, building connections and learning from both failure and success. We think it's also important to link the concept of innovation with that of entrepreneurship - something we do every day here at the Innovation Center. Innovation focuses more on the introduction of something new or, as Thomas Edison said, "There's a way to do it better - find it."
We hope you can join us for our November events to learn more about how to channel your innovative approaches to become a more successful entrepreneur.
Tonya Elmore
President
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 | IDEA Camp | Join Tampa Bay Innovation Center and some of the most  innovative local talent at IDEA Camp on Wednesday, November 14 at St. Petersburg College Collaborative Labs, 13805 58th St. N., Clearwater, FL.
IDEA Camp is a collaborative event that is designed to help inventors, entrepreneurs and small businesses refine their "60 second elevator pitch" and effectively communicate their venture's competitive attributes. The program, held during Global Entrepreneurship Week, allows participants to work with mentors to develop a value proposition, identify target markets and receive feedback from industry experts.
We've added something new to this IDEA Camp - our progressive lunch at noon featuring Kyle Mastronardo, co-owner of Nardo's Natural, who has appeared on ABC-TV's "Shark Tank." He'll discuss his own entrepreneurial story.
Then plan to stay for our IDEA Camp 60-second elevator pitch session presented by our IDEA Camp participants. This will be one of the most creative, thought inspiring ways you can spend an afternoon! Please see our website for registration information. |
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TECH Talk Insights
Granting Equity to Employees and Contractors
By Curt P. Creely, Esq.
|  The subject of whether to grant an equity stake to employees and contractors - and if so, how much -- is a much-discussed topic among early stage ventures. Equity grants can be in the form of stock or membership units; options or warrants; stock appreciation rights (SARs), a right to receive a bonus in cash or equity equal to the appreciation of the company's stock over a specified period of time; or restricted stock units (RSUs), shares of stock that an employee is eligible for after a certain restriction is fulfilled.
On the "pro" side, granting equity can align employee interests more closely with those of the owner(s), serve as a non-cash way to compensate employees and contractors and help attract high quality employees. In addition, certain employees, or employees in certain industries, may actually expect to be offered an equity stake.
On the "con" side, however, for privately held companies, the equity often only has value in the event of an IPO or sale of the company - something the employee or contractor may not understand. In addition, it can be an expensive way to compensate employees, may not result in the desired incentive effect and could involve unanticipated tax issues and administrative burdens. (More...)
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| Client feature: Wildbright Technologies
|  Accelerator client WildBright Technologies Inc., a cost effective online school management platform, has selected CloudLingual, provider of cloud-based translation services in more than 100 languages, to localize WAVE, Wildbright's signature program, into seven languages. Haitham Barazanji, CEO of Wildbright Technologies, says this will allow the company to triple its penetration of its target market of K-12. WAVE manages registration, admissions and meal programs; runs reports; schedules teachers for classes and events; controls grading sheets; creates report cards and keeps parents engaged with their student's progress. (More ...)
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| eHub's Sponsor Spotlight | |
Thanks to our newest gold level eHub sponsor, GrowFL, which has recently partnered with Tampa Bay Innovation Center to nurture up to 15 second-stage entrepreneurs. The Innovation Center is one of only 10 Entrepreneurial Support Organizations (ESO's) throughout the state selected to participate in the GrowFL Economic Gardening Initiative, which supports entrepreneurship and growth companies in Florida.
eHub sponsorship opportunities are currently available at Platinum, Gold and Silver levels. To learn how to apply, visit
or contact Jen Suereth at 727-547-7340 or suerethj@tbinnovates.com.
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| TECH Talk
|  This month's TECH Talk is a special one in honor of Global Entrepreneurship Week. Join us on Friday, November 16, 2012 from 8:30-10:30 a.m. at Microsoft Headquarters offices, 5426 Bay Center Dr., Suite 700, Tampa.
Barry Shevlin, CEO of Vology, will be presenting "An Entrepreneur's Story - From Boot Strapping to Venture Backing," on Vology's growth over the past 10 years, to nearly $100 million in annual revenue. He will explain the different types of capital that Vology secured at different points in the company's life and what brought Vology to where it is today. Barry is a great and engaging speaker and you're sure to learn a lot from his presentation.
Presented by Tampa Bay Innovation Center as part of the Entrepreneurs' Hub, TECH Talk is the area's only free monthly breakfast, networking and education event developed specifically to meet the interests of the local technology community.
There is no fee to attend and space is limited. Click here to register. For more information, contact Jen Suereth at 727-547-7340 or suerethj@tbinnovates.com.
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| Innovators Digest | In case you missed them, here are some recent articles and blog posts for innovators and entrepreneurs.
Think Your Way to Success
By Geoffrey James for Inc.com The spin that you put on objective reality largely determines whether you succeed or fail. (More...)
A Campaign Strategy for Your Career
By Dorie Clark for Harvard Business Review The point isn't to become a Machiavellian power mongerer; manipulating or using others will only hurt you in the long run. But if you take the time to build authentic relationships, improve your work skills, and provide real value to others, it's possible to succeed at office politics with integrity. (More...)
3 Ways to Think Outside the Box
By Nadia Goodman for entrepreneur.com
Keep your team focused on creativity and innovation by challenging them to think outside the box. Andrew Rossi, MBooth's creative director, is responsible for making the agency a hub of innovation. (More...)
5 Ways to Get People to Actually Listen to You
By Marla Tabaka for Inc.com
You may be a fact- and logic-driven leader, but others don't think like you do. Learn to get your point across through emotional connection. (More...) |
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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.
Have you joined Entrepreneurs Hub? eHub is a unique community that helps entrepreneurs and innovators share ideas, inspiration and opportunities. Offering the best elements of real and virtual communities, eHub creates an environment that combines Innovation Center programs with a network that's designed specifically for entrepreneurs and innovators. It includes the Innovation Center's growing number of regular programs such as TECH Talk and StartUp Xchange as well as this enewsletter, podcasts, IDEA Camp, Innovation Conference and other specialized events; and access to coworking in Launch Lab™ and Mentors Corner.
Click here for eHub membership and upcoming event information.
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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