Last year challenged us. It forced us to be resilient and creative in ways we could not have imagined. Though there is work to be done, the Innovation District looks forward to the possibilities of 2021 with renewed hope and optimism. This year we will accelerate the integration of ocean and human health, expand our marine science and resiliency expertise, launch innovative tools to strengthen STEAM workforce development, and increase diversity in the District's workforce and suppliers.
Reminder if you missed it in our December newsletter - St. Petersburg Innovation District released a report at the end of 2020 that reviewed what has been accomplished over our first four years. Link to the St. Petersburg Innovation District 2020 Report.
Join us on our next tour of the Innovation District! Our tour will begin at the HUB, and we will board a trolley with other Innovation District partners. As we travel throughout the District, you will learn about the fascinating history and exciting future plans for the area. We will make several stops for a unique insider view of the research and collaborations underway. Participants are invited to enjoy a networking happy hour back at the HUB, where our tour will conclude.
A group of support organizations, led by the Innovation District and fueled by a grant from Duke Energy, developed our first Tampa Bay Innovation Ecosystem Map in 2023. We aim to continue guiding entrepreneurs to the best possible resources with an updated version.
Josh Rojas of Bay News 9 recently visited the Maritime and Defense Tech Hub, where he was welcomed by CEO Alison Barlow and COO Lauren Bell for a discussion about the building’s future expansion. The Hub is already home to a thriving community of companies and demand continues to grow. To accommodate this momentum, leaders are envisioning Hub 2.0, a second building proposed for the west parking lot.