TAMPA BAY STARTUP & ENTREPRENEUR RESOURCES

Tampa Bay's hub for startup support. Offers coworking, coaching, community events, and connections for early-stage founders. Over 125 startups in their ecosystem.

Program helps early-stage entrepreneurs start building equity in their business from Day 1. Participants learn business best practices, from finance to business planning, market research and presentation skills. Graduate with up to $1000 seed funding and FCDI Entrepreneurship Essentials credential. Hosted at AMRoC Fab Lab with access to mentors, rapid prototyping, and fabrication resources.

Program helps early-stage entrepreneurs start building equity in their business from Day 1. Participants learn business best practices, from finance to business planning, market research and presentation skills. Graduate with up to $1000 seed funding and FCDI Entrepreneurship Essentials credential. Hosted at AMRoC Fab Lab with access to mentors, rapid prototyping, and fabrication resources.

Free, confidential business consulting for the 10-county Tampa Bay region. Services include business plan development, market research, financial analysis, loan packaging, and startup assistance.

Free, confidential mentoring from experienced business professionals. Workshops on business planning, marketing, finance, and more. Part of national SCORE network backed by SBA.

U.S. Treasury certified CDFI providing loans to small businesses. Established 1987 to serve underserved entrepreneurs. Offers direct loans, loan guarantees, contractor loans, and technical assistance. Now serves all backgrounds.

Florida's #1 accelerator (zero-equity). Offers tailored accelerator programs, year-round CORE programming, mentorship, and investor introductions. TechDiversity Accelerator supports early-stage founder teams.

90-day accelerator for early-stage tech companies 51% owned, controlled, and operated by minority, women, veteran, disabled, or LGBTQ+ founders. Powered by Nielsen Foundation.

SBA-designated Women's Business Center for west coast Florida. Free business coaching, webinars, mastermind groups, networking, and access to financial resources. Serves Hillsborough, Pinellas, Polk, Pasco, Manatee, Hernando counties.

Startup Community Partnership bringing Techstars' global network to Tampa Bay. Programs include Startup Weekend, Founder Catalyst pre-accelerator, Startup Week, and Community Development Lab.

Statewide CDFI providing loans and financial technical assistance to Black, minority, and underserved small businesses. Over $49M in loans through 450+ loans since 1987.

Small Business Navigator, Entrepreneur Support Hub, Equal Business Opportunity programs, and business development resources.

Programs and services for small, women, and minority-owned businesses to help them compete and succeed.

Free consultation to connect small businesses with resources for challenges throughout the business life cycle. Gateway to Tampa Entrepreneur Support Hub programs.

Community-focused coworking with 4 Tampa Bay locations. Private offices, coworking, meeting rooms, event spaces, and podcast studios. Offers Impact Scholarships for nonprofits and startups. On-site restaurants at some locations.

150+ member community. Coworking memberships, private offices, dedicated desks, event spaces. 20,000 sq ft. Celebrating 14 years.

Regular events on entrepreneurship, innovation, and technology. Fireside chats, workshops, networking.

Hillsborough County facility housing SBDC, training programs, and business resources. Workshop space and consulting rooms.

CDFI providing capital for projects that improve lives and communities. Works with nonprofits and community organizations.

State economic development agency. Information on state programs, incentives, and resources including SSBCI funding.

Chamber serving Hernando County with SBDC partnership, networking, and business support.

Partnership between Hillsborough Community College and County. Entrepreneurship education, workshops, mentoring, advising, coworking, and funding programs.

Free minority certification and small business registration. Training, resources, and access to business opportunities. Spanish-language assistance available.

Free market research databases, grant-seeking resources, online classes, recording studios, and tech equipment. Library card access.

Comprehensive resources including advisors, training, networking, and funding connections. Entrepreneur Collaborative Center.

Premium flexible workplace with 4 Tampa area locations. Move-in ready, fully-furnished offices. Access to national network.

University of Tampa program for recent graduates and early-stage community founders. Expert-led workshops, cohort meetings, and tailored mentorship.

Family-run coworking in Pasco County. Private offices, virtual offices, meeting rooms. Modern amenities including video conferencing.

Tampa Bay Chamber initiative supporting minority entrepreneurs with training, resources, and connections.

High-design shared workspace for entrepreneurs, startups, and small business teams. Private offices, meeting rooms, conference spaces.

Federal SBA office providing information on SBA loan programs, disaster assistance, and federal contracting opportunities. Gateway to 7(a) loans, 504 loans, microloans, and more.

Help navigating certification through city, county, and state entities. Certification opens doors to additional contracts.

Free personal mentoring and educational workshops for St. Petersburg, Clearwater, and greater Pinellas County area.

Local chamber with business resources, networking, and community connections.

Innovation hub backed by ARK Invest. Focuses on disruptive technologies: AI, robotics, energy storage, digital assets, multiomics. Sustained support for founders at all stages.

Florida's premier innovation event. Entrepreneurs, investors, industry leaders. Workshops, panels, networking. Thousands of attendees.

Powered by Tampa Bay Chamber Foundation. Helps small businesses scale with access to funding, decision-makers, and information. Focus on sustainable growth.

Regular business events including Women of Influence, Military Appreciation Awards, and networking mixers.

Intensive accelerator for Black and Hispanic business owners. 6th cohort graduated in 2024. Provides mentorship, connections, and resources for scaling.

Entering 140th year. Programs include Minority Business Accelerator, Tampa Bay Business Accelerator, networking events, advocacy.

Partner on Tampa Bay Wave's LatinTech Accelerator. Supports Latino/Hispanic business community.

Week-long celebration of entrepreneurship with workshops, panels, and networking across industries. Community-curated, free events.

Networking events bringing entrepreneurs together. Power Women Expo, professional mixers, and regular networking events.

City of Tampa CDBG-funded program. Business incubator support, technical assistance, and scale-up services. Eligible businesses may qualify for microgrants. For LMI entrepreneurs and small businesses in Tampa.

Meetup community for small business owners. Regular seminars on marketing, social media, sales, funding, and more.

Meetup for aspiring and experienced tech entrepreneurs. Discuss, meet, collaborate, and learn startup best practices.

Nationally recognized hub for student and alumni innovation. Home to Spartan Accelerator and Spartan Incubator programs.

Business and economic development initiative connecting entrepreneurs to USF resources: research, faculty, students, funding sources, and incubator facilities.

Semester-long incubator for USF student founders. Workshops, mentorship, and chance to pitch to real investors (Chessler Holdings) for actual investment.

Nationally ranked (#11 graduate, top 25 undergraduate). Offers entrepreneurship major, HUSTLE incubator program, pitch competitions, and community connections.

For USF students across all disciplines. Offers mentorship, office space, pitch competition opportunities, and connections to Tampa Bay entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Part of USF CONNECT. Supports high-growth technology and life science startups with office space, lab facilities, and access to university resources.