If you're a local entrepreneur, there's no doubt that you've heard of Tampa Bay WaVe. Part small business accelerator, part coworking space, Tampa Bay WaVE is a non-profit venture backed by a passionate group who aim to put Tampa on the tech map nationwide. WaVe startups have created more than 700 jobs locally, and have raised a collective $18M in funding. Almost 200 startup companies have passed through the doors of this innovative space since they opened in 2008.
Where it all began
Tampa Bay WaVE began with "Roundtable meetings" among a group of local entrepreneurs, including WaVe President Linda Olsen, back in the mid-00's. Those informal meetups allowed business owners to make connections and gain perspective on the problems and challenges that come along with entrepreneurship. Thus, Tampa Bay WaVe was born. Initially housed in the Sykes building in downtown Tampa, WaVe has since moved down the road to 500 W. Kennedy Blvd. Here, coworking space covers about a third of the third floor, while the remainder is split among private offices, meeting spaces, a blacklight room, a community kitchen, and a large conference room that can be rented out to "WaVE dwellers." There are also several hammocks and couches scattered throughout the space, where modern design and decor meets cool, red-brick walls.
Expanding their efforts
Now, WaVE has expanded their footprint in Tampa beyond downtown. A second location of the non-profit is housed at Channelside Plaza, where several growing startups and small businesses have set up shop. The non-profit partnered with Strategic Property Partners to expand into the 14,000 sf space, along with Tampa Electric, Hillsborough County, Florida Government, the City of Tampa, Vology, and Frontier Communications. WaVe's primary location remains open to coworkers for a flat rate of $100/month. The Channelside location, meanwhile, is reserved for a select number of growing businesses who now have more office space and thus, greater hiring potential.
Last year, Tampa Bay WaVe used a $50,000 grant from the Small Business Administration to help bolster their incubator and accelerator programs for fledgling startups and growing small businesses. Currently, WaVe houses companies like iTrekkers, a guided outdoor adventure website, and our very own parent company, MyArea Network, Inc., your go-to for 813area, 727area, and more!
WaVes of change
Moving forward, WaVe aims to help solve a funding gap between bright and innovative local startups and the investor capital needed to help take them to the next level. Today, WaVE has 76 active companies and the number continues to grow as more startups apply to accelerator rounds. Once accepted, companies grow within the WaVe's resources, which include access to a mentoring and investing network.
Companies typically go through three stages: Build, where a concept is fleshed out and developed; Launch, where the product or service is presented to consumers; and Grow, where the company aims to both secure funding from investors and grow internally.
Do you have a great idea that solves a real-world problem? Apply to the next WaVe accelerator round, which will likely be in fall 2017.
