20 Questions with Linda Olson

Linda Olson, is the chief executive officer and founder of Tampa Bay Wave, an accelerator that has supported 480 startups since 2013. Collectively, these startups have raised more than $760 million and have created more than 4,400 jobs. To date, Olson has raised $14 million from sponsors, donors, foundations and various grants. Olson began her … Read more

Scenes from TBBW’s Tech Connect (PHOTOS)

Tampa Bay Business and Wealth held a Tech Connect: Navigating the Hybrid Workforce, presented by PSCU, KUDUCOM, Source 1 Solutions and The Karla Dorsey Team at Compass. The event was held at the Tampa Bay Wave, in Tampa. The panel discussion was moderated by Robert Hessel, chief executive officer of Source 1 Solutions. The panel … Read more

Medical Technology Associates acquires Pennsylvania air filtration company

Medical Technology Associates, a controlled environment testing and certification company based in Pinellas Park, has acquired Air Filtration Management, based in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. AFM is MTA’s second acquisition in the Northeast market and expands MTA’s capabilities in the testing and certification of manufacturing facilities, according to a statement. MTA acquired Energy Plus, in Harrisburg, in January 2023. … Read more

TIGER 21 expands Tampa Bay footprint with a new chapter, adds additional chair to work alongside Allen Clary

TIGER 21, an exclusive peer membership network of high-net-worth entrepreneurs, investors and executives, is growing its presence in the Tampa Bay region. The membership group will add a third chapter, with Vera Anderson leading the new group, while Allen Clary will continue to lead the two previously established groups in the area. “Over the last … Read more

Franklin Street Capital Markets launches national ‘Build-to-Rent’ team

Franklin Street Capital Markets, a Tampa-based commercial real estate company, led by Andrew Wright, has established a National Build-To-Rent, or BTR, team. The team was formed to offer a comprehensive suite of services that span across capital, insurance, investment sales, off-market site selection and mergers and acquisitions advisory, according to a statement. The team is … Read more

Florida Blue names two new market leaders in the Tampa Bay region

Florida Blue, the state’s Blue Cross and Blue Shield plan, recently announced the addition of two veteran health care executives to the West Florida team as market leaders. Market Leader Matt Tierney will oversee Hernando, Pasco, Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. He was promoted from local market finance and analytics leader, before assuming this role. Market … Read more

USF receives a $1.5 million grant to develop an app that identifies climate risks in coastal communities

The University of South Florida has received a $1.5 million National Science Foundation grant which will allow researchers at the university to develop an application to identify flood risks. The app will combine volunteered geographic information and community crowdsourced data such as photos, and videos, with near real-time data on flooding. Using dynamic modeling and … Read more

97 Tampa Bay businesses rank on Inc. 5000 list of Fastest Growing Private Companies in America

97 Tampa Bay businesses rank on Inc. 5000 list of Fastest Growing Private Companies in America Companies on the 2023 Inc. 5000 list are ranked according to percentage revenue growth from 2019 to 2022. To qualify, companies must have been established and generating revenue by March 31, 2019. They must be based in the United … Read more

Lions Eye Institute partners with Arkansas Regional Recovery Agency for Transplant

Lion’s World Vision Institute, of Tampa, has entered into an exclusive agreement with Arkansas Regional Organ Recovery Agency to process and distribute ocular tissues for transplantation. This relationship will provide greater access to patients with visual impairment the opportunity to restore their eyesight through the gift of cornea donation, according to a statement. “The Lions … Read more