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Emerging Startup Hub: Tampa Bay

Emerging Startup Hub: Tampa Bay

Tampa is taking strides to make it’s mark as a destination city for millennials and small business. Click To Tweet

Tampa is one of six cities J.P. Morgan Chase and Co. chose to host its sponsored Startup Week events of speakers and panels. Among Dallas, Phoenix, Seattle, Denver, and Columbus, Chase chose Tampa as an emerging startup community based on the volume of activity recently taking place. Between Vinik taking over downtown waterfront space, new developments, and an airport renovation, it’s no wonder Tampa is finally gaining the attention it deserves. Chase’s selection signifies that Tampa is gaining recognition for it’s vision to become an emerging startup hub and place for economic growth. Not only are people talking about Tampa as a developing city, but acting on it!

Tampa Bay Startup Week is taking place February 2-6th to celebrate the growing community. What’s not to love about that?! The conference aims to build momentum and opportunity around entrepreneurship in our area. Entrepreneurship and small business provides a source of energy, innovation, and creation that can revitalize a city like Tampa and propel it along the path of re-development. Tampa is uniquely positioned for this as a rather under-developed city with plenty of room for business growth and expansion. Just ask Jeff Vinik.

“You come back in five years, and you will not recognize downtown Tampa,” said mayor Bob Buckhorn, adding that the entrepreneurial community in the city really has started to take root in the past six or seven years.

Make sure you check out the week-long slate of activities, covering everything from ping pong in the park to fireside chats with startup leaders to hands-on entrepreneurial training sessions. For startups looking to lease their first space, I know this city like the back of my hand. I’d love to help you make an educated decision about where to plant your roots. I can’t wait to see this city truly thrive!

I highly recommend you must read the eBook on what you need to have for starting a business in Tampa, I believe you’ll get a lot out of it. If you haven’t claimed yours, go and grab it now for free! See you inside – I can’t wait to start working with you! We’re better together!

15 thoughts on “Emerging Startup Hub: Tampa Bay”

    1. It’s so interesting to me, Roslyn. Just within the last year has the city begun to grow and revitalize. It’s truly a great time to invest in the area. I’m thrilled to see where the next few years take us. Thanks for checking in with all the Tampa news 🙂

  1. Wow. Your startup week looks a lot of fun. Loving the mix of activities. I’d love to go to the marketing and social media talks. They’d be interesting (I go on on lots of these types of things). As for the home-brew tasting it goes without saying that I’d love to go to that… I guess I just said it.

    Living in the UK means I can’t just pop out there but I’d love to visit Tampa Bay sometime.

    1. Yes, if you’re ever here I’ll give you a to-do list of places to go and see. The great part about entrepreneurs is that we’re all a little more laid back and quirky. The beer tastings, etc. might not flow in a corporate world. Great events to gather the community around a common cause. Based off the picture of your masterminds and events I see you attending, I’m sure this would be a great addition!

  2. Sounds like Tampa is on its way! It reminds me of Atlanta during the mid-to-late 90’s (I lived there for 17 years). But while Atlanta’s growth was fueled by the 1996 Summer Olympics, it’s exciting to see Tampa growing for its own sake. You’re a great cheerleader, Holly!

    1. Thanks, Carol. How cool was it to live in Atlanta during that transformative period? I’m happy to be on Tampa’s journey to the same development. Just trying to keep the area interested, and lure other businesses to the area 🙂

  3. That is exciting indeed, Holly. I wish I could go. However, I do live close to Phoenix and maybe I can look into one there. Disadvantage: I wouldn’t have you to show me the way. What a great resource you are going to be for those in Tampa!

    1. Oh, you’re so sweet! I figured Dallas and Denver would be on the list, but am surprised at the other areas they selected. I’d like to catch up and see how those cities are progressing in entrepreneurship, too.

  4. Oh dang…how exciting! Congratulations on being one of the host cities. Great infusion of energy, creativity and hopefully jobs and money will really kick things up a notch in Tampa. Now go out there and sell those startups office space! 😉

    1. Heck yes, that’s the plan Jackie! It’s really great to help a small business find and finance their first office space. There’s something monumental as a business owner from moving out of your house to a physical location. Looks like I may be very busy within the next few years…

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