Newsletter 9.5.2024

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Happy Thursday! This is Mind Your Business, delivering local startup insights so fresh, you’ll want to slap 'em on a sandwich.

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

• St. Pete startup partners with new firm to dominate the moon.

• Local incubator CEO has stepped down, what’s next?

• Facial recognition is going to be the new normal at Ray’s games?

• Tampa invests big money on autonomous vehicles

FEATURED

St. Pete Startup Partners with Valkyrie to Bring AI-Powered Data Centers to the Moon

Lonestar Data Holdings, a St. Petersburg-based startup, is partnering with Austin's Valkyrie to deploy AI-powered data solutions to the Moon. In January 2025, Lonestar will send its second payload to the lunar surface, utilizing Valkyrie's advanced Graph Database to enhance data retrieval speeds while conserving energy. This collaboration is a major step toward building secure, efficient lunar data centers, offering a game-changing solution for storing sensitive information away from Earth's risks.

TICKLE YOUR BRAIN

I’m not just ears but also a mind. I catch the meaning, leaving nothing behind. I nod, I ask, and clarify too, to make sure I understand every word from you.

What am I?

(Pause for some deep thinking...)

STARTUPS

Embarc Collective's Founding CEO Steps Down, New Leadership Announced

Lakshmi Shenoy, founding CEO of Tampa’s Embarc Collective, will step down on January 1, 2025, after leading the startup incubator since its 2019 launch. Shenoy will be succeeded by Dr. Tim Holcomb, a seasoned entrepreneur and professor. Shenoy, reflecting on her time at Embarc, praised Holcomb’s qualifications and fit for the community. With over $220 million raised by member startups, Embarc has become a key player in Tampa Bay's entrepreneurial scene, a legacy Shenoy is confident will continue.

FUNDING

Rays Introduce Facial Recognition for Easy Stadium Entry

The Tampa Bay Rays are rolling out a new “Go-Ahead Entry” system, allowing fans to enter Tropicana Field using facial recognition. This hands-free system, launching Friday, ensures smooth, ticketless access by scanning fans from 10 feet away. Fans who enroll receive two free tickets to a game. Chief Business Officer Bill Walsh says it enhances the gameday experience, eliminating the need for phones or tickets. The Rays join six other MLB teams in using this cutting-edge tech.

MEME STREET

Here’s a Meme You Can Probably Relate To

Florida Funders Invest in Autonomous Vehicle Tech with Autonoma

Florida Funders has invested in Autonoma, an Alabama-based tech startup focused on improving autonomous vehicle safety. The Tampa venture capital firm contributed to a $2 million funding round, supporting Autonoma’s innovative synthetic data platform that replicates real-world driving conditions for autonomous systems. Saxon Baum, partner at Florida Funders, emphasized the importance of this investment in advancing AV technology. This is the fifth investment from the firm’s Fund 3, which continues its focus on the growing autonomous vehicle and electric vehicle markets.

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