The Synapse Summit will take place on Tuesday, February 14, at Amalie Arena, in Tampa.
Florida is a hotbed for innovation and entrepreneurship and for the past six years Synapse, a non-profit organization, has brought the state’s innovation leaders together to celebrate wins, discover the hottest companies and latest trends and engage with one another.
Synapse Summit 2023 is a full day packed with content for you, by you. From innovative leaders, and hands-on workshops, to dynamic panel discussions, skills-building, networking and trendspotting. There are experiences across the arena with 300 exhibiting companies, coming from across the state, representing a multitude of industries and technologies.
Tampa Bay Business and Wealth, in partnership with Synapse, is introducing you to some of the speakers ahead of the big day.
Randy K. Avent
President
Florida Polytechnic University
What is unique about Florida Polytechnic University?
Florida Polytechnic University is the state’s only all-STEM institution. We are a selective, deliberately small public university dedicated exclusively to engineering, mathematics and physical sciences. The University provides exceptional, and affordable, education in the STEM fields, which are vital to Florida’s economic future. Florida Poly is helping grow the tech industry in the state by producing high-demand, low-supply, graduates and attracting industry and economic development.
Anyone that has driven through Lakeland, on I-4, has seen your campus. Talk about that distinctive building.
People see it every day, as they drive by on I-4, noticing the unique and ultra-modern white building designed by world-renowned architect Santiago Calatrava. It is called the Innovation, Science and Technology building and was named one of the 16 most breathtaking buildings in the world.
What is it that draws you to participate in Synapse?
I enjoy the Synapse Summit because it provides a unique opportunity for all different areas of the innovation community, in Florida, to come together to share and learn. I’m honored to have the chance to participate and discuss how the role of academia and university research can have a direct impact on commercial innovations that disrupt the market for good.
I was also glad to participate in Synapse Orlando this past October, to shine a bright light on the incredible talent in the Orlando region.
What do you get out of the experience?
I get the opportunity to share the stage with great colleagues, like Adrian Muhammad, and listen to so many other leaders doing remarkable things in the business of innovation, here in Florida and across the country.
What would you like to share with the Tampa Bay community that I haven’t asked you?
The Synapse Summit focuses on showcasing innovation in business, entrepreneurship and many other aspects of the economy. Florida Poly has a similar focus with an innovative approach to academia, which leads to economic growth by attracting industry and producing a pipeline of highly skilled professionals. Our students are extremely talented and find in Florida Poly a unique, close-knit community filled with brilliant minds interested in applying new ideas and critical thinking to solve real-world problems.
To learn more about the Synapse Summit and register for the event, visit Synapsefl.com.
