Tampa Bay Wave is thrilled to announce a transformative achievement in Tampa Bay’s entrepreneurial landscape: Tampa Bay Wave’s portfolio companies have collectively raised over $1 billion in investment capital. This milestone positions us among the top five nonprofit accelerators in the United States, highlighting the extraordinary success of our region’s startup ecosystem.

This achievement reflects more than just numbers – it represents the culmination of our commitment to being “By Entrepreneurs, For Entrepreneurs.” But our impact extends beyond the startup community. We are equally proud to be “By Community, For Community,” working hand-in-hand with local leaders, mentors, and partners who share our vision of making Tampa Bay a premier destination for innovation and entrepreneurship.

As we celebrate this remarkable milestone, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to our community leaders who continue to champion our mission. Your unwavering support and dedication have been instrumental in creating an environment where startups can thrive and scale. This success belongs not just to Tampa Bay Wave, but to our entire ecosystem of visionary entrepreneurs, dedicated mentors, and passionate community supporters.

Together, we’re not just building successful companies – we’re fostering an innovation ecosystem that drives economic growth and creates opportunities across Tampa Bay. This billion-dollar milestone is just the beginning of what we can achieve as a community united in support of entrepreneurial excellence.

Jane Castor, Mayor, City of Tampa

Rhea Law, President, University of South Florida

Ken Welch, Mayor, City of St. Petersburg

Bemetra Simmons, President & CEO, Tampa Bay Partnership

Brian Auld, President, Tampa Bay Rays

Meghan O’Keefe, Executive Director, Tampa Bay Tech

Craig Richard, President & CEO, Tampa Bay Economic Development Council

Santiago Corrada, President & CEO, Visit Tampa Bay

Dr. Cynthia Johnson, Director of Economic Development, Pinellas County Economic Development

Scott Price, CEO, A-LIGN

Andrea Bertel, President & Executive Director, Grantmaking, Nielsen Foundation

Stu Sjouwerman, CEO, KnowBe4

Tony DiBenedetto, Founder, Think Big For Kids

Alison Barlow, Executive Director, St. Pete Innovation District

Allen Clary, Executive Director, USF Nault Center For Entrepreneurship