Newsletter 7.18.2024

Author

Masterminds Tampa Bay
July 18, 2024

In partnership with

Happy Thursday! This is Masterminds Tampa Bay, the startup newsletter that's as smooth as Michael Jordan's fadeaway jumper.

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

  • Deals In Tampa Bay remain sluggish

  • New security firm opens up in Tampa

  • USF plans to develop an app that helps the elderly

FEATURED

Tampa Bay VC Fundraising and Deal Flow Remain Sluggish Post-Market Shock

Tampa Bay’s venture capital scene is still feeling the impact of a market shock. The first half of 2024 saw only $86.9 million in investments, a sharp drop from $161.8 million in the same period in 2023 and $395 million in 2022.

Deal counts hit their lowest since early 2020. Higher interest rates and few exit opportunities have investors cautious. However, there’s some optimism as the market slowly adjusts, according to Pitchbook and the National Venture Capital Association’s report.

TICKLE YOUR BRAIN

You’ve Got Mail 1998

I'm a tireless worker, day and night. Sending messages with speed and might. I reply on cue without a break. Ensuring no email is left in my wake.

What am I?

(Pause for some deep thinking...)

MOVES

Ethical Hacker Launches Cybersecurity Firm in Tampa Bay

Jacob Wattam, an ethical hacker with a rich background in cybersecurity and compliance, has launched CoAction Security in Tampa Bay. The company aims to serve small and midsize businesses, particularly in regulated industries like healthcare, financial services, and legal sectors.

CoAction specializes in protecting privacy, finances, and reputations, offering services directly to businesses and partnering with MSPs and MSSPs. Wattam emphasizes the necessity of specialized cybersecurity as threats grow more sophisticated and regulations become more complex.

ACQUISITIONS

New App to Help Elderly Prepare for Disasters

The University of South Florida Foundation received a $7,500 grant from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County to develop a disaster preparedness app for elderly Floridians and their caregivers.

Led by Lindsay Peterson from the School of Aging Studies, the app will assist in planning for hurricanes and other disasters, especially for those with dementia and chronic conditions. The app, inspired by Hurricane Irma and Ian's impacts, will offer storm surge and flooding risk information to tailor evacuation plans.

MEME STREET

Here’s a Meme You Can Probably Relate To

Modernize your marketing with AdQuick

AdQuick unlocks the benefits of Out Of Home (OOH) advertising in a way no one else has. Approaching the problem with eyes to performance, created for marketers with the engineering excellence you’ve come to expect for the internet.

Marketers agree OOH is one of the best ways for building brand awareness, reaching new customers, and reinforcing your brand message. It’s just been difficult to scale. But with AdQuick, you can easily plan, deploy and measure campaigns just as easily as digital ads, making them a no-brainer to add to your team’s toolbox.

WORTHY MENTIONS: UPDATES, TOOLS, RESOURCES

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

Advertise with us to get your brand in front of the Who's Who of startups, tech, and businesses in Tampa Bay. Masterminds are some of Tampa Bay's most driven and connected entrepreneurs who are always looking for their next interesting product, service, or tool. Get in touch today.

Riddle Answer:

Email Autoresponder

*Please note that some of the links in this newsletter are affiliate links. This means that we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these links. We only recommend products or services that we believe will add value to our readers. Your support through these links helps us keep providing valuable content to you. Thank you for your support3