Newsletter 6.27.2024

Author

Masterminds Tampa Bay
June 27, 2024

Happy Thursday! This is Masterminds Tampa Bay, your SpaceX for weekly startup exploration.

Here’s what we’ve got for you this week:

  • Tampa Bay Wave is investing in Blue. 

  • $30K was up for grabs at this Clearwater event

  • St. Pete company acquires another for global reach.

NEED SOME CASH FOR YOUR BUSINESS?

We’ve got something BIG in the works and we just couldn’t keep it to ourselves any longer!

Next week, we're launching a special event designed just for you—our amazing Tampa Bay community. We’re talking about the chance to win $500 in cold, hard cash!

Stay tuned for more details in our next issue. Trust us, you won't want to miss this! Catch you next week with all the juicy info!

FEATURED

Tampa Bay Wave: Building a Blue Tech Future

Tampa Bay Wave is spearheading a new initiative to create a thriving marine technology ecosystem, with support from local leaders and organizations like the University of South Florida and St. Petersburg Innovation District.

They’re competing for a $15 million NOAA grant to boost startups focused on environmental sustainability. The initial $250,000 grant has already energized the community, aiming to develop innovative tech for renewable ocean energy and coastal resilience. This collaborative effort promises to enhance both the environment and the local economy.

TICKLE YOUR BRAIN

The Intern 2015

I'm the whisper of trust, passed from friend to friend. A recommendation that can make sales ascend. No ads required, just word of mouth. I spread like wildfire, from north to south.

What am I?

(Pause for some deep thinking...)

STARTUPS

Top 10 Startups Compete for $30K at Amplify Clearwater Pitch Night

Amplify Clearwater is hosted a pitch night on June 25, where ten startups from its business incubator program competed for $30,000 in cash prizes. These startups range from water sports and digital marketing to wine bars and interactive marketing.

Notable companies include Señor Bubbles for laundry services, BayWest Digital for marketing, and The Wine Down Blue for wine slushies and live music. Judges from Duke Energy, the Small Business Development Center, and St. Petersburg College will evaluate the pitches at the Murray Theatre in Clearwater.

ACQUISITIONS

St. Pete's Bedrock Technology Acquires Procoto

Bedrock Technology, a St. Petersburg-based supplier management tech firm, has acquired Procoto, a company specializing in request-for-proposals technology.

This acquisition, discussed for over 18 months, aims to enhance Bedrock's supplier management and procurement services by integrating Procoto's source-to-contract tech.

Bedrock founder Osama Sabbah believes this move will streamline the supplier management life cycle. Procoto employees have found new positions, while CEO Michael Otis will advise Bedrock before starting a new venture. The acquisition underscores Bedrock’s commitment to local engagement and global growth.

MEME STREET

Here’s a Meme You Can Probably Relate To

WORTHY MENTIONS: UPDATES, TOOLS, RESOURCES

WANT YOUR BUSINESS IN FRONT OF 3K+ TAMPA BAY FOUNDERS, ENTREPRENEURS & STARTUPS?

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Riddle Answer:

Referrals.

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