The St. Pete Innovation District (SPID) is excited to be the location of the new, soon to-be-built home for the Tampa Bay Innovation Center (TBIC). The collaboration of these two entities is a great example of how organizations with unique focuses work together to make an impact on our city, the region, and the State of Florida as we set the stage for our innovation-driven economy.
How do the organizations compliment each other?
SPID: Works to encourage the growth and development of a geographic area south of downtown. Like other innovation districts around the world, SPID is designed to attract innovation drivers that includes entrepreneurs, startups, and business incubators, and connect their efforts to larger, anchor organizations.
TBIC: Works to nurture technology startup founders with hands-on expertise, mentorship, industry partnerships, a professional network and access to investors in a dedicated, collaborative workspace. TBIC hosts events, educational programs, meetups, and provides incubator and accelerator programs for the entrepreneurial community.
SPID: Focuses on growing jobs and research funding in the Grow Smarter targeted industries of marine science, life science, data analytics as well as leverages the expertise of community partners in higher education, business incubation, art, and media.
TBIC: Focuses on innovation and the commercialization of technology that attracts and assists startups to thrive and build successful, scalable companies that can compete in the global technology market.
What is the difference?
SPID, an innovation driver, provides support to position and coordinate resources within the district and across unique community collaborations. While TBIC, an innovation cultivator, provides the programs and expertise to grow technology businesses within the district, Pinellas County, and the Tampa Bay region.
Even with the differences both have one similar goal, which is to provide a strong foundation for creating and expanding companies and jobs in St. Petersburg.
Are you interested in being part of the Tampa Bay Innovation Center’s new building? Visit https://tbinnovates.com/about to learn more about sponsorship opportunities.
At the 5th annual State of Science and Innovation, five innovators from St. Pete were give only six minutes to share the work they are doing. Kudos to all of them - they did an amazing job!
Mark your calendar! Next month - Saturday, February 18 - is the St. Pete Science Festival in conjunction with MarineQuest. Kids and adults will have opportunity to explore science and technology first hand with over 40 exhibits from NOAA, USF, Firestone Grand Prix, and more.
There are shared spaces... and then there are shared communities. Spaces, while important, are will not yield results such as innovative products/services, new grant funding, or joint ventures unless you spend dedicated time building a community within the space.