Presenting

have launched over 70 new products, raised millions in seed capital and grants, and now hold more than 100 patents. e StartUp Xchange is a monthly network ing function organized by the Center to provide coaching and mentorship to budding entrepreneurs. Founded in 2008, Tampa Bay WaV E, Inc. is a self-described " by entrepreneurs, for entrepreneurs nonprofit" that partners with local businesses and schools to host events such as the Urban Tech Meetup held last month, an extension of its FirstWaV E Venture Center and tech business accelerator program. HOME GROWN Of course, the v ital key to nurturing a business hub is to not only aract outside interest, but also keep all of this percolating talent and innovation here locally. Recent graduates, who are inv igorated w ith the k nowledge and adv ice available to them through the k inds of programs and net works mentioned, need incentive to stay put and establish roots. Tech companies are continually popping up in the region, but many are bought by larger corporations or relocate on their ow n in search of the support and investment needed to take their business to the nex t level. A step in the right direction is a massive $1 billion overhaul of Tampa International A irport currently under way, establishing the cit y as a major player in the game of global business. Additionally, as recently as this past spring , nonstop fl ights to the west coast—and to the investors in Washing ton and California—have been implemented at TPA . A journey that prev iously took as many as 10 hours w ith connections and layovers now takes just under si x…mak ing it much more palatable for folks w ith deep pockets to hop a plane to the Suncoast to investigate a new startup. e hope is that Floridian entrepreneurs who now fi nd it easier than ever before to head west ward for important net work ing conferences and f unding meetings w ill purchase a roundtrip ticket—bringing all of that brain power back home to the Suncoast to get established and tr uly grow. A GOOD YEAR A mong those w ith stay ing power in the area is Tech Data Corporation, founded in Clear water in 1974. e company is one of the largest distributors of technolog y products and ser v ices on the planet, currently rank ing 108th on the Fortune 500. While it has offices and logistics centers all over the globe, it retains its headquarters right here on the Suncoast. A $2 .6 billion acquisition of Av net Technolog y Solutions, one of the world 's largest distributors of electronic components, was fi nalized earlier this year. Some see a deal of this magnitude as confi rmation of the company's commitment to its home base— w ith an eye on ex pansion rather than selling out. It's tr ue that over the years, Tech Data has had opportunities to pick up and move elsewhere, but CEO Bob Dutkowsk y seems to have plans to do no such thing. THE TIME IS RIPE With all of these perfect ingredients in play, it's no wonder that smart, business-minded indiv iduals have a thirst for grow th and development along the Suncoast. Together they are accelerating the region's advancement toward the f uture that Vinik and so many others env ision—one fi lled w ith progress, promise and success. The key to nurturing a business hub is to not only attract outside interest, but also keep all of this percolating talent and innovation here locally. Tech Data's VMware Transformation Center University of Tampa Entrepreneurship Center Subscribe at GravitasMag.com | 51 Subscribe at GravitasMag.com | 51

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