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Blog

June 23, 2025
June 27, 2025

We are a little more than a month away from an exciting Morning Sparks where we will explore our role as one of the largest innovation districts globally! Expect to learn new information on how we plan to drive greater regional economic growth and competition, act as catalysts for economic opportunities in neighboring communities, and strategically position our district for growth in competitive and sustainable ways. This will be the first SPID event held at ARK Innovation Center, so mark your calendar for Friday, August 1st.

June 23, 2025
June 27, 2025

What's next for launching rockets into space? Launching rockets from the sea. With limited land availability and significant costs, companies like Seagate Space see a game-changing solution in developing offshore launchpads. There is also a sense of urgency as other countries have included offshore infrastructure as part of their space strategy. Seagate Space and The Spaceport Company are positioned to lead the way for Florida in this new frontier.

June 23, 2025
June 27, 2025

Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) is more than just helicopters or planes; it’s the future of transportation. St. Petersburg is looking ahead into electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft that can perform tasks beyond the capabilities of traditional aviation. Think faster disaster relief response, private air taxis, and much more.

June 23, 2025
June 27, 2025

The Tampa Bay Innovation Center has graduated their tenth accelerator program. This program consisted of eight tech-based companies that all presented at TBIC’s Innovation Showcase held in early June. Initiated in late 2019, the program, which consists of weekly workshops focusing on product and go-to-market strategy, has worked with 70+ B2B tech startups. We are excited to see how these companies shape the future.

June 23, 2025
June 27, 2025

PVM, a tenant at the Maritime Defense and Technology Hub, was recognized at the Third Annual Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at USF Business Awards. PVM’s founder and CEO Pat Mack was named the 2025 South Florida Veteran Small Business Owner of the Year. Pat uses his leadership skills and resources at PVM to support efforts like SkillBridge and Hiring Our Heroes that transition service members into the workforce.

June 23, 2025
June 27, 2025

Our very own Lauren Bell has graduated from Leadership St Pete’s (LSP) #BestClassEver. Lauren has served the Innovation District for three and a half years and extended her leadership skills to the Chamber of Commerce’s six-month, volunteer-run program. This year, LSP chose to work with the Infinite Potential Learning Academy, upgrading their basketball court and multi-purpose field to better serve students and the community as a whole. We couldn’t be more proud. Congratulations, Lauren!

June 23, 2025
June 27, 2025

Not so long ago, talent and innovation blossomed in an area just south of Downtown St. Petersburg. City officials and community partners wanted to leverage the capabilities of key institutions—USF St. Petersburg, Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, and the Poynter Institute, to name a few. The point was to foster collaboration and show our initiatives to the world.

May 19, 2025
May 20, 2025

We will host another Trolley Tour and Happy Hour on Friday, June 13th. You will board a trolley with other Innovation District partners and learn about the history and future plans for the area. This tour will feature stops at Albert Whitted Airport, Florida Institute of Oceanography, and The Dalí Museum. The tour will conclude back at the Hub with a networking happy hour.

May 19, 2025
May 20, 2025

The St. Petersburg Ocean Team is the premier consortium for marine science and related research, education and entrepreneurship in the Southeast. The Team is comprised of over 20 complementary firms, government entities, and institutions that are located near one another, many in the St. Pete Innovation District, that draw advantages from their proximity as well as the similarities between their workforce and vendor needs.

May 19, 2025
May 20, 2025

The Poynter Institute and the National Association of Black Journalists both turn 50 in 2025. As the organizations celebrate a legacy of impact and lasting values, they are focused on the challenges and opportunities ahead for journalists. This lively webinar will feature respected industry voices to discuss the realities journalists are grappling with today, including key issues where Poynter and NABJ can support and lead.

May 19, 2025
May 20, 2025

Join a professor, a student, and a quirky robot for a lively, unscripted conversation about AI, its promises, pitfalls, and everything in between. From ai-generated art to robot rebellions, this interactive talk will spark debate, challenge perspectives, and leave you wondering if your new robot friend is secretly plotting world domination.

May 19, 2025
May 20, 2025

April’s Tech X-change was a hit, thanks to an engaging presentation from Digital Twin Marine. Shoutout to all the Eckerd College students who joined us! The audience was curious and interactive, asking great questions and eager to try out the virtual reality headset.

May 19, 2025
May 20, 2025

April’s event, Morning Sparks: Innovation X-change (GIS...Beyond Mapping) was postponed, but we're still buzzing with ideas. Whether you're a mapping enthusiast or not quite sure what GIS even stands for, we’d love to know: is there a topic you'd like us to explore next? What kind of innovation in this space sparks your curiosity?

May 19, 2025
May 20, 2025

The District extends a warm congratulations to Natalia López Figueroa on earning her doctorate in Biological Oceanography from the University of South Florida. Natalia has made significant contributions to her community, particularly through her role as Chair of the Junior Scientist Program at the St. Pete Science Festival. We look forward to seeing her continued success.

May 19, 2025
May 20, 2025

Many of you know there is a small but mighty Innovation District team – Luke Farris (intern), Lauren Bell, and Alison Barlow. The District is thrilled to announce the expansion of the Innovation District team to include Nisuka Williams, District Community Manager and Amber Pacetti, Hub Coordinator. See below for brief introductions they have shared about themselves.

May 19, 2025
May 20, 2025

I recently had the opportunity to attend the inaugural summit of Innovation Districts. Hosted by the Global Institute on Innovation Districts (GIID), it was a chance to exchange ideas with 49 other districts from around the world. One of the most asked questions at the event was “how do we compare?”

April 8, 2025
April 11, 2025

Join us for a Trolley Tour of the District on Friday, April 18th from 1:30pm-4:30pm. This popular event is offered 2-3 times a year. It begins at the Maritime and Defense Technology Hub. You will board a trolley with other Innovation District partners and community members. As we travel throughout the District, you will learn about the history and future plans for the area. We will make several stops for an insider view of the research and collaborations underway. The tour will conclude back at Hub with a networking happy hour.

April 8, 2025
April 11, 2025

Saildrone and Palantir have announced a new strategic partnership that is set to transform maritime security. By accelerating the deployment of autonomous systems, this collaboration unlocks advanced artificial intelligence (AI)-driven maritime solutions at scale. In a world grappling with rising global threats and a shipbuilding industry pushed to its limits, this alliance signals a seismic shift in how we safeguard our seas.

April 8, 2025
April 11, 2025

The Innovation District has partnered once again with Pinellas County Economic Development and the FIU Global Forensic and Justice Center for the annual Pinellas Defense Networking Forum. This is a great opportunity to meet with fellow defense contractors to discuss key challenges and explore potential partnerships.

April 8, 2025
April 11, 2025

The Innovation District hosts a quarterly breakfast series called Morning Sparks: Innovation X-change. At each session we explore emerging technologies, invite District partners to share their current related efforts, and engage in thoughtful (and hopefully spirited) discussions that will spark future innovation.

April 8, 2025
April 11, 2025

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) South Florida District Office has named Pat Mack, Founder and CEO of PVM, as the 2025 South Florida Veteran Small Business Owner of the Year. Kudos to Pat for this important recognition.

April 8, 2025
April 11, 2025

We have long recognized the amazing gem we have in the Salvador Dali Museum. We are thrilled to see that USA Today and its panel of experts and readers have agreed. The Dali is one of 10 art museums selected in USA Today’s Readers’ Choice 2025. Kudos to the Dali team!

April 8, 2025
April 11, 2025

Kudos to Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital for breaking ground on a new hospital in Wesley Chapel. We are excited to see them bring specialized pediatric care closer to home for families north of Tampa Bay.

April 8, 2025
April 11, 2025

Each month our team confers about what to include in the District newsletter. We lament how to share all the amazing stories while not creating an encyclopedia (yes, I am showing by age with an old school reference). We are fortunate to have so many things going on in the District.