Newsletter September 24th, 2025

Happy Thursday! This is Mind Your Business, your weekly backstage pass to Tampa Bay’s innovation theater… where global giants plant flags, local founders get their spotlight, and big bets fuel our region’s future.

This week, a life sciences powerhouse relocates its global HQ to downtown Tampa, 23 innovators get their due at the Inno Awards, Tampa Bay climbs the tech talent ranks, Florida doubles down on cancer research funding, a local water-tech startup secures a $2M Air Force contract, Pharma Giant CEO shares why Tampa is its anchor for growth, and twin founders of a $100M brand share their journey at USF.

💊 A multibillion-dollar life sciences company relocates its HQ to downtown Tampa
🏆 Two dozen local innovators earn recognition for shaping the region’s tech scene
📊 The Bay Area climbs the national rankings for tech talent and rising wages
🧪 The state pours another $60M into breakthrough cancer research
💧 A water-tech startup lands new defense funding to expand its global footprint
💡 Twin founders of a $100M brand share their journey from hustle to high impact

Scroll down to learn more…

💊 HEALTH / PHARMA

Pharma Giant Catalent Moves Global HQ to Tampa

Catalent Inc., a multibillion-dollar drug developer and manufacturer acquired last year by Novo Holdings for $16.5B, is relocating its headquarters from New Jersey to downtown Tampa’s Bank of America Plaza. The company already employs more than 630 people at its 500,000-square-foot St. Pete site, which is the main soft-gel development facility in North America and produces products like Advil Liqui-Gels.

CEO Alessandro Maselli calls Catalent “the best kept secret in pharma,” noting it helps produce one in every 28 doses of medicine worldwide. He says moving the HQ highlights the importance of Tampa Bay’s talent pool and positions the company for long-term growth under Novo Holdings, the parent of Novo Nordisk.

⚡Why It Matters: 
Tampa Bay is becoming a go-to spot for life sciences companies. Catalent’s decision puts a Fortune 500-scale player in the heart of downtown and adds momentum to the region’s growing reputation in pharma, biotech, and medtech.

🏆 ECOSYSTEM / RECOGNITIONS

2025 Inno Awards Spotlight Tampa Bay Innovators

Twenty-three startups, leaders, and organizations have been named to the 2025 Tampa Bay Inno Awards, honoring the people shaping the region’s tech ecosystem.

Honorees include cybersecurity firms Guardare, Jün Cyber, ConnectSecure, and Paragon Cyber; edtech players PIKMYKID and TeacherServer AI; and fintech startup JELA Payments. This year’s “Inno Pick” is A-LIGN, recognized for its lasting impact on Tampa Bay’s tech community.

⚡Why It Matters:
The Inno Awards show off the diversity and energy in Tampa Bay’s startup ecosystem. The recognition helps raise the profile of local companies and gives the region more visibility as a growing tech hub.

🧠TICKLE YOUR BRAIN

Riddle of the Week:

I travel faster the more people use me.
I can make a startup’s voice echo across the globe.
I cost nothing to share… but when I break, the damage can last.
What am I?

What am I? 🤔
(Answer at the bottom of the newsletter)

Pause for some deep thinking…

📊WORKFORCE & TALENT

Tampa Bay Climbs in Tech Talent Rankings

Tampa Bay jumped two spots to No. 28 in CBRE’s 2025 Scoring Tech Talent report, which looked at 75 North American markets. Local tech workers now make an average of $109,718 a year, almost 20 percent more than in 2021. The region has also seen big growth in college-educated residents in their 20s and 30s, outpacing national averages.

⚡Why It Matters:
This is a sign that Tampa Bay is attracting and keeping young professionals, which is key for both startups and larger companies. With stronger talent and higher wages, the area is becoming more competitive with other Florida hubs like Miami and Orlando.

📍LIFE SCIENCES

Florida Boosts Cancer Research with $60M Fund

Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis announced $60M in new funding for the Florida Cancer Innovation Fund, raising the state’s total investment to $140M. The money will support projects focused on prevention, nutrition, clinical research, and underserved communities.

⚡Why It Matters:
Tampa Bay is already home to world-class cancer research at Moffitt and USF. This funding brings more resources to local institutions and strengthens Florida’s position as a leader in developing new cancer treatments.

😂MEME STREET

Here’s a Meme You Can Probably Relate To

🛡️DEFENSE /💧SUSTAINABILITY

Genesis Systems Wins $2M Air Force Contract

Tampa-based Genesis Systems won a $2M contract from the U.S. Air Force to expand its WaterCube system, which generates clean water straight from the air. The deal builds on $1.25M in Air Force funding last year, bringing the company’s total military support to $3.25M. Genesis also raised $20M earlier this year to scale its technology.

⚡Why It Matters:
This win shows Tampa Bay’s role in developing defense-ready sustainability tech. Genesis is tackling global water shortages while also providing valuable solutions for the U.S. military.

💡FOUNDER STORIES / EVENTS

$100M Founders Share Their Journey at USF

Twin brothers Blake and Brock Gratton, who built SpringWell Water Filtration into a $100M+ brand before selling it, will be speaking at USF Sarasota-Manatee tomorrow, Sept. 26th. The event includes a fireside chat, Q&A, and the student Business Plan Competition. Fellow Mastermind Jon Tavarez will also be there as a judge alongside other local founders. Register for the event here

⚡Why It Matters:
This event isn’t just about hearing a success story. It’s a chance for students and the community to learn directly from founders who scaled a company to nine figures, while also supporting the next wave of entrepreneurs through USF’s pitch competition.

WORTHY MENTIONS: UPDATES, EVENTS, RESOURCES, ETC…

• ⚖️ Fear & Greed Index: 52 (NEUTRAL) per CNN

• ₿ Bitcoin Dominance at 58.3% See chart

• 📖 Startup playbooks and founder advice w/ Y Combinator’s Startup Library 

• 🔎 Dive deep into Product Market Fit w/ First Round

• 🤗 Want a front-row seat to our biggest events and a chance to connect with Tampa Bay’s top founders, investors and innovators? Apply to join our team!

• 🚀 Connect with top entrepreneurs, founders, and techies building big things in Tampa Bay and beyond. Join our private Slack now and make some noise!

• 📅 Want to sponsor an upcoming Masterminds event? Apply here!

RIDDLE ANSWER

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