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KICKSTART YOUR BUSINESS.
AND YOUR FUTURE.

From business mentors and accelerators to capital and co-working spaces, we’ve provided an array of resources to help you start your business in Tampa Bay.

Resources and training

Big help for small businesses and startups

  • Florida Small Business Magazine

    Explore small-business advice on a variety of topics — from planning and asset protection to branding and funding.


  • Hillsborough County Startup Business Checklist

    If you’re starting a business in Tampa Bay and need some direction, this checklist is a great place to start.


  • SOFWERX

    Created under a Partnership Intermediary Agreement between Doolittle Institute and the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), SOFWERX encourages collaboration between innovators and operations officials.


  • StartupBus Tampa

    Jump on a bus, create a concept and launch a startup. This unique experience accelerates startups and transforms lives.   

  • Tampa Bay Innovation Alliance

    Welcome to the district anchored by global companies driving economic activity throughout the area. Engaging talent, experts and consumers, this district is the region’s technology hub.

  • The Florida SBDC at University of South Florida

    This organization is the most experienced economic development network in Florida and provides businesses with the expertise and resources needed to succeed.
   

  • USF Connect

    The University of South Florida’s business and economic development initiative provides support for technology startups and is the point of entry for companies that want to do business with the university.

Accelerator and mentor programs

Build your startup’s momentum fast

  • Dreamit UrbanTech Accelerator

    Get unprecedented access to Dreamit’s national customer and investor network. Plus, interface with one of the largest real estate development projects in North America.


  • Embarc Collective

    This startup collective curates experiences, resources and environments to help forward-thinking founders and their teams thrive. The mission of Embarc Collective is to make Tampa Bay a prime destination for diverse startup talent to make an impact.


  • Tampa Bay Wave Accelerator

    Focused on helping startups build, launch and grow, this accelerator has helped startups reach $1 million in revenue or investment.

  • Florida-Israel Business Accelerator

    This Florida-based technology accelerator is designed to establish and grow successful Israeli and Florida tech ventures in the Tampa Bay area.

  • Synapse Summit

    A nonprofit that empowers the innovation community to connect directly with the resources and opportunities it needs to find success through an online community and an annual innovation summit in Tampa Bay.

  • Tampa Bay Innovation Center

    The center’s incubator program provides tech businesses with mentors, educational opportunities, networking and resources to help develop business plans.

  • USF Tampa Bay Technology Incubator

    This incubator supports technology research and advocates for creating and developing facilities for technology companies.

  • UT Entrepreneurship Center

    The University of Tampa John P. Lowth Entrepreneurship Center in the Sykes College of Business teaches skills that are critical for today’s entrepreneurs.

Financial aid

Capital providers specializing in your success

  • Ballast Point Ventures

    These late-venture and early-growth equity investors are seeking to invest $5-$12 million in companies that meet its investment criteria. Ballast Point Ventures also provides financial resources, operational insight and strategic counsel to entrepreneurs. 
   

  • Florida Funders

    Blending the best of angel investing, venture capital and equity crowdfunding, this group provides Florida companies with capital and support in their early stages.

  • Florida Venture Forum

    This statewide organization helps entrepreneurs obtain funding through education and networking.


  • Hyde Park Capital

    This Florida-based private investment banking firm specializes in mergers and acquisitions, capital raising, and other financial advisory needs for middle-market public and private companies.

  • KLH Capital

    KLH infuses more than money into your business. It gets access to broader capital markets, without personal guarantees or risks to personal assets.


  • Lovett Miller & Co.

    By providing growth capital and shareholder liquidity for rapidly growing, privately held companies, Lovett Miller focuses on technology-enhanced services and healthcare companies.

  • SCP & CO

    Actively advising and investing in lower-middle-market businesses, the company provides capital and strategic resources to accelerate growth and build stronger companies.

  • Stonehenge Capital

    Stonehenge Capital is a nationally recognized specialty finance company with expertise in structured tax credit finance, community development and private equity.

Chambers and associations

Tap into our world-class business community

  • Bay Area Manufacturers Association

    This association provides a forum to exchange ideas and share best practice information, network with colleagues, and learn about manufacturing-related topics through educational programs and tours.

  • Emerging Leaders of Tampa Bay

    A leadership program of the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, this group is designed to help budding leaders ages 21 to 35.

  • Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce

    This nonprofit business membership organization provides members with innovative leadership, influential advocacy, inside access and increased opportunities.

  • Manufacturing Alliance of Hillsborough County

    Fueling the growth and longevity of our manufacturing sector, the alliance cultivates the next generation of workers and leaders and helps businesses access talent and resources.

  • New Town Connections

    Meet a new kind of social family that builds genuine business connections.

  • Relocate Tampa Bay

    Offers destination services for individuals, families and employees relocating to the Tampa Bay area. This locally owned, private company specializes in helping new residents acclimate to their new community.

  • Tampa Bay Tech

    The fastest-growing hub of its kind in the area, Tampa Bay Tech radically connects the local tech community.

  • Tampa Downtown Partnership

    As a steward of downtown Tampa, this group cultivates public and private partnerships and helps facilitate downtown’s physical and economic development.

  • Westshore Alliance

    Meet the voice of Tampa Bay’s thriving Westshore District. With 400 member businesses and hundreds of volunteers, the Westshore Alliance’s mission is to promote, shape future growth and foster economic prosperity throughout the Westshore District.

Co-working spaces

Find the perfect spot to work

  • Hyde House Heights

    Discover this office and event space with waterfront views, amenities and restaurants located downstairs.

  • CoCreativ South Tampa

    Rent executive office suites in three Tampa Bay locations, without a lease or contract.

  • CoWorkTampa

    Find one-of-a-kind workspaces designed for professionals who want a comfortable, distraction-free place to complete projects, collaborate, launch startups or grow businesses.

  • FirstWaVE Venture Center

    In the heart of downtown, this 16,000-sq.-ft. center is home to tech startups and entrepreneurial support organizations.

  • Industrious Tampa

    Rent premium co-working and private offices on the 33rd floor of Truist Place in downtown Tampa.

  • Pipeline

    Bringing the best workplace experience to independent professionals, startups and teams, Pipeline also provides a dynamic learning environment and desirable locations.

  • Regus

    With office buildings offering workspaces in a variety of sizes across several locations around the city, businesses can expand or contract as needed.

  • Tampa Hackerspace

    A nonprofit, member-based workshop that provides equipment, classes and mentoring for various types of projects.

  • WeWork

    Whether you hail from finance, trade, tourism or one of the Fortune 500 companies headquartered in the city, WeWork’s Tampa Bay workspaces are the ideal launchpad for your next chapter.

  • Workhouse

    Supports the growth of early- and mid-stage startups by providing a landing pad for these companies as they outgrow their homes, garages and incubators.

  • SOAR

    This professional and affordable New Tampa work location is perfect for independent workers, virtual employees, road warriors, pajama workers and creatives.

Colleges and universities

A world of education and research resources 

  • Hillsborough Community College

    Founded in 1968, this comprehensive community college serves 45,000+ students annually at five campuses, at three centers and through online offerings.

  • Saint Leo University

    Saint Leo University is a leading Catholic teaching institution that enrolls almost 15,000 students across its traditional Florida campus with more than 40 education centers and office locations, as well as online degree programs.

  • University of South Florida

    This high-impact, global research university is dedicated to student success. Plus, according to the National Science Foundation, the school is one of the top 50 research universities nationwide.

  • University of Tampa

    Discover dynamic opportunities for all learners. Celebrated scholars from around the globe and 11,000+ students from all 50 states and over a hundred countries attend here and benefit from an innovative curriculum focused on students’ success.