Newsletter 12.7.2023

Happy Thursday! This is Masterminds Tampa Bay - the startup jukebox that plays all the top hits

Here’s what we have for you today:

• This Tampa Bay accelerator launches a new cohort

• AI compliance and more is being tackled by this USF professor

• St. Pete startup is reaching for the moon with these additions

• Recap of acquisitions, moves, and investing in the area

• What leaders have to say about healthtech startups

THE SPOTLIGHT

Soaring City Accelerator Elevates Tampa Bay's Startup Skyline with 12 Trailblazing Cohort Members!

The Soaring City Business Accelerator is soaring higher with its second cohort, welcoming 12 innovative startups into the Uptown Tampa scene.

With a mission to elevate underrepresented founders, the program offers a 10-week journey for these visionaries. Martika Jones, CEO of BŪP and a program graduate, now directs the initiative.

The diverse startups range from Bazaar Horizons' eco-conscious marketplace to Game Drive's gaming data compilation.

From Eczema Sample Story to Thrive Wallet, these Tampa Bay talents promise to reshape the local entrepreneurial landscape. Onward and upward, Tampa Bay!

COMMUNITY

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STARTUP

USF Professor Launches Actualization.ai: Elevating AI Compliance with Innovative Reasoning

John Licato, an assistant professor at the University of South Florida and pioneer in artificial intelligence, is taking the spotlight with Actualization.ai.

Leading the Advancing Machine and Human Reasoning Lab, Licato and his team aim to enhance human reasoning in AI. 

Focusing on tools for streamlined AI regulation, Actualization.ai seeks to automate the certification process for new AI tools.

In a landscape of increasing regulations, President Biden's AI mandates, and a need for transparency, Licato positions Actualization.ai at the forefront of compliance innovation

St. Pete's Lonestar Data Holdings Gains Stellar Leadership

Lonestar Data Holdings, the space tech startup based in St. Petersburg, is reaching for the stars with recent additions to its leadership team.

Stephen Eisele, former Vice President of Business Development at Virgin Orbit, takes the reins as President and Chief Revenue Officer.

Simultaneously, Jose Hernandez, retired astronaut and subject of the film "A Million Miles Away," joins as a board member. Eisele's aerospace expertise and Hernandez's insights promise to elevate Lonestar's mission to pioneer lunar data storage

TICKLE YOUR BRAIN

I have keys but open no locks. I have space but no room. You can enter, but you can't go inside. What am I?

(Pause for some deep thinking...)

RECAPS

Tampa Bay's Tech Landscape Thrives in November: Funding, Hires, and Acquisitions

Despite the looming holiday season, Tampa Bay's tech and business arena stayed in high gear throughout November.

Vu Technologies, a virtual production tech firm, secured an undisclosed investment from global consulting giant Accenture. Icons Club flexed its muscles with a $5 million seed capital boost in a fierce pitch competition.

Meanwhile, the job market sizzled with key hires at AMNI, Economic Impact Catalyst, and cybersecurity unicorn KnowBe4. Moves included Tocaro Blue navigating into St. Pete's Maritime and Defense Tech Hub, and Benchmark Technology Corp. making Tampa its new home.

Lastly, the acquisition front witnessed Advantive acquiring Abaca Systems and Next Net Media expanding its footprint with Linkbuilder.io.

MEME STREET

Here’s a Meme You Can Probably Relate To

EVENTS

Cheers to 2023! Tampa Bay Tech Leaders Year-End Celebration at Aloft Downtown

As we say ✌️to 2023, join us for an exceptional night at Aloft Downtown—an immersive celebration for tech enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, and startup aficionados.

This is going to be a great time to network, share ideas, and revel in the vibrant energy of Tampa Bay's dynamic tech startup community.

🍸 Indulge in cocktails and hors d'oeuvres.

🎶 Groove to DJ beats that set the celebratory tone.

🏆 Witness awards recognizing outstanding contributions.

🎁 Participate in an exciting raffle for a chance to win!

Time is running out to connect, explore new opportunities, and commemorate the achievements of the year.

Secure your spot today while tickets are still available!

Embarc Collective Unveils Insights for Healthtech Startups

Embarc Collective, in collaboration with Tampa General Hospital's Innoventures, orchestrated a vibrant dialogue on healthtech innovation at the Tampa Bay Healthtech Meetup on Dec. 5.

The panel, featuring industry luminaries like Jared Taylor, Ryan Schneider, Dr. Peter Chang, and Susan Molina, offered invaluable advice for startups in the healthtech realm.

Key takeaways included the critical aspects of cybersecurity in health partnerships, the imperative for constant innovation, the need for insightful health platforms, and the challenging landscape of securing investments in the healthcare startup sphere.

WHAT TO WATCH

What To Stop, Continue, & Start in 2024

WORTHY MENTIONS: UPDATES, TOOLS, RESOURCES

• 💰 Join our Cofounder, Jon Tavarez, as he talks about his successful entrepreneurial journey to the Young Entrepreneurs of America

• 📢 Pitch Your Startup at St. Pete Pitch Night

• 🤩 Tampa General Hospital (TGH) is seeking innovative solutions for rural cancer patients. Prize is $50,000 and support by TGH Innoventures and TGH Cancer Institute. Apply Today

• 🎉 Celebrate Tampa Bay Tech Leaders and Startups at the Tech Leaders Year-End Celebration! Buy tickets here >

Brain Teaser Answer:

A keyboard

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