Last week St. Pete Innovation District hosted its 6th State of Science and Innovation. This event highlights innovators who are doing creative, thought-provoking, and impactful work. This is always a favorite event of the year and once again the event didn't disappoint.
There are many quotes about innovation and how it is fostered. I have several hanging in my office. We recently looked to these as we were deciding the name for our new breakfast series. Our brainstorming kept coming back to the concept that ideas are the beginning - they create the "spark" that fuels innovation.
Congratulations to Sarah Gilbert, Chief Operating Officer of Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital for being named a 2024 BusinessWoman of the Year honoree. We are also thrilled that Sarah has recently joined the Board of Directors for the Innovation District.
The University of South Florida (USF) has announced its intention to create a college focused on the rapidly evolving fields of artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity and computing, with the goal of positioning the Tampa Bay region and state of Florida as a national leader. USF is the first university in Florida and among the first in the nation to announce plans to create a college dedicated to AI and cybersecurity.
Even with an extra day in the month, I am running late with the February newsletter. Its been a busy and exciting time. Last Tuesday we announced a new project - Catching the Blue Wave: Accelerating America’s Ocean Economy.
The U.S. had landed on the moon again after 50 years. Kudos to Lonestar Data Holdings, a Maritime and Defense Technology Hub tenant, for being part of this remarkable event.
The St. Petersburg Science Festival and MarineQuest celebrated another incredibly successful event. The multi-day program began with a proclamation by the St. Pete Mayor and City Council, included sold out school tours during the week
It is no surprise that we are talking frequently in the Innovation District about future technologies and how they have the potential to solve the "unsolvable" problems and radically change lives. Two such discussions recently highlighted advancements in artificial intelligence (AI)
Last week St. Pete Innovation District hosted its 6th State of Science and Innovation. This event highlights innovators who are doing creative, thought-provoking, and impactful work. This is always a favorite event of the year and once again the event didn't disappoint.
Kudos to our friends with Salty Science. This team of four marine scientists, including one USF professor, rowed across an ocean, for the oceans. Click here to learn more.
The Girl Scouts of West Central Florida name Alison Barlow - Executive Director of the St. Petersburg Innovation District - as one of their 2024 Woman of Distinction.
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For entrepreneurs, this network of support organizations can be challenging to navigate. The hope is that this map helps direct entrepreneurs to the best possible resources.
Blue Ring Imaging will now operate under the VideoRay umbrella and utilize in the Innovation District as an applied research and testing location.
Embracing Our Differences, an international art exhibition focused on promoting inclusion, kindness, and respect will be debuting in Poynter Park March 2nd through the 31st.
The Maritime and Defense Technology Hub continues welcome new technology companies to our community. The latest is Tocaro Blue.
The Dali recently introduced a new exhibit - Dalí & the Impressionists: Monet, Renoir, Degas & More. Curated by Dr. William Jeffett, the exhibit includes 22 paintings by 18 artists, along with 18 of Dali’s earliest paintings from the St. Pete facility’s permanent collection.
The St. Pete Science Festival is an annual regional celebration where families and the public can explore the wonders of hands-on science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM).
I am often asked "How does St. Petersburg compare to other Innovation Districts?" I have visited several Innovation Districts and met virtually with more. Each one is based on the same framework, sometimes explicitly and sometimes by happenstance. But their focus is different.
Kudos to St. Petersburg College (SPC) for their recent win of a grant to bolster STEM workforces in technology innovation sectors. Awarded by the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA), this grant is intended to strengthen training programs and apprenticeship opportunities to ensure that individuals can build careers in STEM fields in their own communities.
Entrepreneurs and established businesses struggle to understand the Tampa Bay innovation ecosystem. Whether they are relocating or already here, the diversity of support resources spread across multiple cities and counties is daunting.
Predicting the path and intensity of a hurricane is a complex science that employs not just satellite imagery, but also state-of-the-art drones that can dive, sail and fly straight into the heart of the most powerful storms (Wall Street Journal). St. Petersburg plays a role in this important work as a regional base for Saildrone at the Maritime and Defense Technology Hub.
The District Trolley Tour is a unique opportunity to go behind-the-scenes and see innovation in action. The tour starts when you board the Trolley and meet your fellow passengers who have diverse interests and experiences but one thing in common - excitement for the Innovation District.
PVM, a digital services company based in the Innovation District and founded by Pat Mack, a St. Pete native, has partnered with the City of St. Petersburg to improve the city's open data portal - StPeteStat.
Innovation Labs at The Dalí is hosting on September 16th a half day Introduction to Creative Thinking using tools and methods by top creativity scholars and practitioners. This workshop is a great opportunity to boost your creative problem solving skills and confidence.
Hub tenants SummitET and The Darkstar Group have been recognized as fastest-growing private companies in America as part of Inc. 5000 2023. Both SummitET and The Darkstar Group share a common thread of innovation, resilience, and a forward-thinking approaches.