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Tampa Bay Business & Wealth

Startups are fueling innovation across Tampa Bay as new founders launch companies, raise capital and build the region’s next wave of growth. Here, you’ll find reporting on the people, ideas and trends shaping the local startup ecosystem.

Startups

Tampa founder Balaji Ramadoss is building human-first AI
 |  Chuck Merlis

After a bootstrapped exit, Tampa founder Balaji Ramadoss is building human-first AI for how teams actually work.

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EXOS logo alongside Balaji Ramadoss, founder of the AI workflow platform
Tampa health tech firm debuts fully cellular thermometer
 |  Chuck Merlis

A Tampa health tech firm is launching a fully cellular thermometer for remote patient monitoring.

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Exterior of Smart Meter’s Tampa office and the iDigiTemp cellular-connected thermometer.
Tampa Bay Wave startups raise $500M and add 1,000 jobs
 |  Chuck Merlis

Tampa Bay Wave startups raised $500M and added more than 1,000 jobs in a record-setting year.

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Aerial view of downtown Tampa along the Hillsborough River with the Tampa Bay Wave logo overlaid.
Embarc Collective expands corporate AI access in Tampa
 |  Chuck Merlis

Embarc Collective and EX3 Labs launch The Digital Suite Tampa to help companies move from AI interest to real world application.

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Leaders and team members cut a ribbon during the launch of The Digital Suite Tampa at Embarc Collective.
White Castle taps Sarasota firm for 1st fully automated airport kiosk
 |  Chuck Merlis

White Castle partnered with a Sarasota tech firm to launch its first fully automated airport kiosk serving hot Sliders around the clock.

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Interior of Boston Logan Airport with travelers at check-in and an inset photo of a White Castle–branded Just Baked automated food kiosk.
How did Jake Kurtz build Brick Media? Brick by brick
 |  Chuck Merlis

How Jake Kurtz turned a $500 side hustle into one of Tampa’s fastest-growing social media agencies.

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Professional headshot of Jake Kurtz smiling in a navy blazer, placed inside a circular frame on a blue gradient background with the words “Brick By Brick” in bold white text.
Meet Dieumerci Christel, whose journey from a refugee camp is reshaping student-teacher connections
 |  Chuck Merlis

Born in a Tanzanian refugee camp, Dieumerci Christel is building Enlightapp to help schools strengthen connection and student engagement.

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Dieumerci Christel sitting in a conference room wearing an NDSU sweatshirt while working on Enlightapp.
How CareerSource’s new CEO is rebuilding Tampa Bay’s workforce
 |  Contributed Content

CareerSource Tampa Bay CEO Keidrian Kunkel is reimagining how the region develops, connects and retains talent.

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CareerSource Tampa Bay logo featuring four geometric shapes in orange, green, blue, and light blue, arranged in a triangular formation with the words “CareerSource” in green and orange and “TAMPA BAY” in blue.
Tampa startup using AI to build custom curricula for schools
 |  Chuck Merlis

A Tampa ed-tech startup is using AI to help schools build custom curricula that fit every learner.

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A three-panel collage showing the ryco logo, founder Riley Walker speaking on stage at a student pitch event and the company’s virtual campus where team members work as avatars.
Meet the Tampa Army vet powering new startups
 |  Michael Connor

Army veteran Valerie Lavin is helping Tampa Bay’s veterans and first responders turn service into successful startups.

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Action Zone staff and volunteers connect with veterans, first responders and aspiring entrepreneurs across Tampa Bay.
VC Fast Pitch networking event returns to St Pete
 |  Michael Connor

Networking is at the heart of the entrepreneurial spirit. Once entrepreneurs connect with investors who see the potential in their companies, incredible things can happen. Through this collaboration process businesses

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Tampa Bay Wave appoints COO
 |  Jo-Lynn Brown

Tampa Bay Wave has appointed Jay Powers as chief operating officer. In this newly created position, Powers will spearhead the execution of strategic initiatives, including the HealthTech|X Accelerator and LatinTech

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