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. These eVTOLs launch from specially designed ‘vertiports’ and can revolutionize how we move through the air. While the technology behind eVTOLs is undeniably exciting, discussions are ongoing about whether these aircraft in St. Petersburg will be piloted or fully autonomous. The City of St. Pete has established a dedicated task force that is actively exploring the integration of AAM.
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.
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.
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.