Largo : Innovation + Job News

The Tampa Bay Partnership has decided to target market four industry sectors identified in the Regional Business Plan as industries that provide high-wage, sustainable job growth opportunities, thus shedding light on the Tampa Bay region as an incubator for healthcare innovation.

The goal is to ensure that Tampa Bay, which accounted for 41 percent of the state’s job growth in 2012, is recognized as one of the nation’s hubs for medical innovation. The industry of applied medicine and human performance leads the region’s target sectors, adding more than 7,000 jobs since 2009.

The applied medicine and human performance industry incorporates core clusters of medical technology and research, including senior health and wellness, personalized medicine, clinical trials, medical instruments and devices, health information technology and bioinformatics.

“Our target sectors have performed better than jobs in Tampa Bay, better than jobs in Florida, and better than jobs in the nation as a whole. The wages in these jobs are higher, and these jobs create more spin-off jobs,” says Dave Sobush, VP of regional business planning and development at the Tampa Bay Partnership.

Tampa Bay not only has the foundation of medical research and the presence of such large medical firms as H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and revolutionaries such as M2Gen to create a supply chain for programs, but the region also has great technical training for people to work in laboratory settings.

“Pinellas County is among a handful of communities in the nation with a strong cluster of medical devices,” says Sobush.

Several companies have selected Tampa as a base from which they can conduct ground-breaking medical research.

“We realize that we have something and we want to have one broad message to share with the world. We’re a hotbed for medicine,” says Katie Franco, sr. VP of regional development at the Tampa Bay Partnership.

Tampa Bay is strategically positioning itself as one of the nation’s regions to follow.

“We chose target sectors that are regional in nature, and we present the region purposefully to showcase the strength of the region. There’s no place stronger than the State of Florida,” says Sobush.

For more information on Tampa Bay’s Regional Business Plan, visit Tampa Bay Partnership’s website.

Writer: Kaye Brown
Sources: Dave Sobush and Katie Franco, Tampa Bay Partnership

H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center’s Office of Technology Management and Commercialization (OTMC) is fueling medical innovations and helping to launch biotechnical startups within Tampa Bay.

Over the past four years, OTMC has launched 13 startups centered on the technological advancement of new drugs, new diagnostics and new devices that will improve the quality of patient care.

The core focus of OTMC is to set an infrastructure to facilitate the launch of faculty startups. By partnering with faculty, staff and industry leaders, medical innovations and discoveries are placed in an environment where technology can be further developed and eventually translated into commercial products that will benefit patients.

“Startups out of Moffitt are providing a number of benefits regionally and statewide. It’s creating new jobs, drawing attention to our region from outside investors so that we can access capital, and it’s also drawing attention from pharmaceutical companies and biotechnical firms interested in partnering or expanding to the state,” says Jarrett Rieger, director of OTMC.

The annual Business of Biotech conference is designed to create an atmosphere for faculty startups to interact with investors and the medical community to help further their success. The 2013 conference, which drew more than 350 participants as well as industry representation from outside of Florida, featured an investor forum, providing startups an opportunity to pitch business ideas to investors while receiving valuable feedback on developmental and funding milestones.

The 2014 Business of Biotech conference will focus on bringing additional business development officers from large pharmaceutical and biotech companies to foster more industry collaborations with the local area.

“It’s a high priority because the funding environment is changing. Academic institutions are looking to continue to support their innovations and research, and one way is to partner with industry. It is a big effort at Moffitt and other academic institutions to forge those types of relationships,” says Rieger.

Several of Moffitt’s faculty members have launched new companies and are gaining traction towards licensing medical technologies. Many startups are raising capital and have partnered with venture capitalists and the Florida Institute for the Commercialization of Public Research to help fund critically needed medical studies.

Tampa’s growing medical market paired with technological innovations is a natural stimulant for the Tampa Bay region.

“The larger our presence in the biotech, life science and medical device area -- the more research and innovation going on here, the greater the probability that we’ll be able to attract biotech businesses to our region.”

For information on OTMC, new technologies, and startups visit their website or call 813.745.6828.

Writer: Kaye Brown
Source: Jarrett Rieger, Moffitt Cancer Center Office of Technology Management and Commercialization

As an incubator for entrepreneurship and business growth, Tampa Bay’s community leaders, partners and business owners are positioning the region as a key global market.

The 2013 International Town Hall hosted by the Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation provided leaders and business owners with key insights on entering the international marketplace and attracting foreign direct investments beneficial to the region and that also open new trade markets for local companies.

"This is an exciting opportunity for area business leaders to learn more about the international initiatives taking place in Tampa Bay,'' says Jim Pyburn, co-chair of the Tampa Hillsborough EDC’s International Trade and Foreign Direct Investment task force, and director of Trade Development & Latin America for the Tampa Port Authority.

Tampa’s community partners have a strategic focus on global expansion opportunities, particularly through importing and exporting. As Tampa Bay businesses and community leaders explore and prepare for international expansion initiatives, it's essential to evaluate core strengths unique to the region.

"Look at the intersection between assets and opportunity. Trade changes your economic future, not only your pocketbook, but also in job creation,” says Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, whose city was the 2011 pilot market for the Brookings Institution Metropolitan Export Initiative.

Rybak also presented leaders with a community case study that explores key objectives significant to the development of a regional export plan. "If we do this right, it changes who we are. It makes us better able to work together and affects us competitively,'' says Rybak.

As communities make shifts toward global expansion opportunities, it is important to build bridges that focus on leveraging community and governmental partnerships and strengthening business to business relationships that result in capitalizing on the strategies and expertise that have been effective for established local businesses that have traded in other places.

By concentrating on "globalized'' versus "globally interested,'' the region can benefit from fostering relationships among local businesses that have been successful in the international marketplace, and entrepreneurs and small businesses considering global expansion opportunities.

The 2013 International Town Hall workshop sessions gave attendees an opportunity to get advice from such experts as Joe Phillips of OCO Global, an authority on foreign investment and global economic development strategies. It also allowed information share on available resources and key steps involved in the international marketplace as well as valuable insights on trends and challenges businesses face in international business development.

"These workshops are invaluable for businesses considering global expansion,'' says Andrew McIntosh, co-chair of the Tampa Hillsborough EDC’s International Trade and Foreign Direct Investment task force.

What's next as Tampa Bay grows as an international market?

Focusing on building a pathway that others follow by strategically emphasizing Tampa’s rich cultural history, capitalizing on business bridges, and growing the region from the inside-out in order to attract international investments and development projects.

For more information on Tampa Bay's international business initiatives, visit the Tampa Hillsborough EDC's website.

Writer: Kaye Brown
Sources: Andrew McIntosh, Jim Pyburn and R.T. Ryback

The University of Tampa (UT) is joining the national effort to attract, increase and retain the number of women in technology fields by participating in The National Center for Women and Information Technology’s (NCWIT) Pacesetters program.

Launched in 2010, the Pacesetters program is designed to recruit untapped talent pools of technological women as well as retain women at risk of leaving their organizations -- commonly referred to as “net new.” The 2013-2015 initiative includes a two-year fast track program and a collaborative network of senior executives from 20 universities and 14 companies working to add almost 2,000 women to the U.S. technological field.

“Twenty-five percent of IT professionals are female,” says Natasha Veltri, assistant professor of information and technology management and lead on the NCWIT Pacesetters program at UT. The goal of the Information and Technology Management (ITM) Department at UT is to increase female enrollment in the management and information systems program (MIS) from 23 percent to 50 percent.

To heighten that effort, UT’s ITM professors are practicing “in-reach” -- connecting with students during early college years, learning about their career and technological interests, and introducing them to classes, opportunities, industry connections and mentors so that students can explore the field.

By 2020, an estimated 1.4 million technology jobs will be added to the workforce. With 56 percent of women in computing and technology leaving jobs at the mid-career level, women in technology represent a significant value-add to companies.

“We encourage students to learn computing and pursue careers in this field; this way we can address the IT shortage and create a new pool of qualified, educated workers,” says Veltri.

Veltri also reaches to her network of IT professionals who have been successful within the field to serve as role models to students. “There are many female professionals who are passionate about this issue and who want to serve. We can support students considering a career in IT and can share our experiences with them by using our business connections.”

ITM works closely with the business community in Tampa Bay including Tampa Bay Technology Leadership Association and Tampa Bay Technology Forum. They also have an advisory board that keeps updated with the industry’s needs in order to prepare students for workforce leadership.

Each month, the Office of Career Services lists several openings for IT positions. “We don’t have enough candidates to fill those roles,” says Veltri.

“The innovation in the IT field has been tremendous in the last four years, and for us to continue the innovation, we need the right supply of talent. For us to provide our region with the right talent, we have to grow this locally. That way we can attract new employers.”

ITM is additionally working to increase interest and career development for females in technology by partnering with Tampa Bay’s technology professionals and utilizing UT’s Office of Career Services to introduce students to internships and career opportunities. ITM also provides a hands-on technology and computing platform to middle and high school students through their Get Smart program.

“There is a pipeline of talent, and we can contribute by developing local talent to grow Tampa Bay's industries, businesses, and IT field in particular.”

Visit the website for details on all of the University of Tampa’s information and technology management degrees. For more information on the Pacesetters program, contact Natasha Veltri via email or at 813.257.3970.

Writer: Kaye Brown
Source: Natasha Veltri, University of Tampa

Young professionals in Tampa Bay recognize that regional cooperation helps advance the strength of our communities and future opportunities for everyone.

In an effort to promote this cooperation and further the conversation, several young professionals groups are coming together for the second annual Tampa Bay Young Professionals Summit on Friday, October 12, from 1 to 5 pm at Hillsborough Community College's Ybor City campus, room 204 in the Ybor Building.

The event is presented by Emerge Tampa Bay and the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, with Clearwater Young Professionals and St. Petersburg Chamber Young Professionals.

The interactive Summit will feature a slate of local guest speakers and presenters as well as breakout sessions to energize participants about the future of Tampa Bay.

Presenters and participants will answer questions like:
-- How can we improve the current business climate and encourage rapid growth?
-- How can young professionals take an active role to improve the region?
-- What would be a game changer for Tampa Bay?

The focus will be on five industry sectors: urban growth/environment, medical tech and healthcare research, entrepreneurship and high tech, cultural impact and education.

"The main goal of the Summit is to educate, engage and gather ideas from Tampa Bay's young professionals for improving the regional economy,'' says Brian Seel, public policy chair for Emerge Tampa Bay and chief organizer of the event. "This is a unique collaborative opportunity to advance the priorities of our generation.''

The Summit will produce a 10-item Economic Action List which will serve as a guiding framework for young professionals to continue to contribute to the regional economy in a meaningful way.

A Happy Hour will also be hosted immediately following the event at New World Brewery in Ybor City.

Cost is $25 per person. Pre-registration at this link is encouraged.

Writer: Megan Hendricks
Source: Brian Seel, Emerge Tampa Bay

According to the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, the number of Tampa Bay residents with a college degree increased by 1 percent from 32 percent in 2009 to 33 percent in 2010. This may not seem like a lot, but when viewed from an economic development perspective, it means a $4.6 billion increase in overall income, or close to $800 per person. 

The increase shows positive efforts compared with data from the previous two years, both of which showed a less than 1 percent decrease in overall attainment.

This data provides motivation for Graduate Tampa Bay (GTB), an initiative launched in early 2012 that aims to see an even larger increase. GTB is a collaborative effort involving business leaders, government, university and nonprofit organizations who value talent development in the region.

“If we want to be competitive, we must collaborate as one,” says Ken Atwater, president of Hillsborough Community College and chair of the Graduate Tampa Bay Advisory Council.

Tampa Bay is also competing with more than 50 other metropolitan areas for a $1 million prize that will be awarded to the region that increases the number of college degrees the most over a three-year period. The competition ends in 2013, but GTB plans to continue its efforts in future years.

Graduate Tampa Bay is gathering information about employers in the Tampa Bay region, and specifically the programs available for their employees to attend school.

Writer: Megan Hendricks
Source: U.S. Census Bureau

The Juvenile Welfare Board (JWB) has announced a program that will help at-risk youth in Pinellas County. The JWB Quality Early Learning initiative is in the early stages of development, and is looking for partners to serve as quality providers of childcare and education to children ages 2 months to five years.

“We have been funding childcare for many years, however, we haven’t been seeing the results we would like for preparing children for school,” says Matt Spence, senior program consultant at the JWB. “Our goal with this program is to move from a childcare model to a learning model.”

According to Spence, the JWB is focused on serving five priority areas in the county. Those areas include, south St. Pete (zip codes 33705, 33711 and 33712), North Greenwood in Clearwater (33755, 33756), the High Point area (33760), east Tarpon Springs (34689) and the unincorporated area of Lealman (33709, 33713,33714, 33781).

Karen Sierra, also a senior program consultant at the JWB says that potential clients will be identified as early as possible, even before birth.

“Our nurse program that works with moms and moms-to-be, as well as the Healthy Start program in Pinellas will be partners in helping identify families that have at-risk factors that we look for.”

Spence says that the next step in the process is finding quality providers who can serve these at-risk children. Providers can submit a letter of interest via the JWB website.

“We are not just looking for one provider necessarily,” Spence says. “If there is an organization out of state that wants to come in and partner with us, or a nonprofit group in another part of Florida, we are open to considering them and splitting up the partnership. We have the funding; we just need quality partners to provide the services.”

Writer: Kimberly Patterson
Source: Matt Spence and Karen Sierra, JWB

The Suncoast Workforce of Sarasota, in partnership with WorkNet Pinellas and several other Tampa Bay area workforce organizations, will hold a virtual job fair for youth starting May 13^th and running through May 19^th. The live week-long event will be free for job seekers and is catered to the younger demographic, ages 14-24.

“Businesses can benefit from a younger worker's perspective and new ideas,” says Sally Hill, communications director of Suncoast Workforce. “They tend to be open to learning and they thrive on coaching and mentoring from others. Youth are the workforce of the future.”

This is the second consecutive year for the virtual event that spans six counties. Other workforce organizations include Tampa Bay WorkForce Alliance in Hillsborough, Career Central in Pasco, Junior Achievement of West Central Florida, the Pinellas Education Foundation, and Tampa Bay area public school districts and colleges.
 
Unlike a traditional job fair, where businesses set up booths and employers and job seekers engage in formal exchanges, the virtual job fair is done completely online in a much less ceremonial fashion. Employers will post their open positions and job seekers can browse jobs and apply during the week-long event. The virtual environment also takes pressure off employers to hire on the spot.

“Employers have the option to review candidate resumes at their leisure and they can decide whether to interview candidates by phone or in person before making their hiring decision,” Hill says.

Hill says that there is still time for employers to participate in the job fair and they would like more businesses to register. Businesses interested in virtually attending the job fair can register by visiting this link.

Writer: Kimberly Patterson
Source: Sally Hill, Suncoast Workforce

The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that unemployment among military veterans is historically lower than the average population. Valpak is hoping to help change those statistics.

In support of the Vow to Hire Veterans Act, Valpak is planning to hire 100 veterans to join its sales force by 2013, as well as offer incentives to vets wanting to start a business through its franchise program, part of the International Franchise Association's "Operation Enduring Opportunities" initiative. 

"Veterans possess the key skills and attributes needed for success: leadership, teamwork, quick reactions, problem solving, courage and integrity," says Rick McElwain, VP of network sales development at Valpak.

Valpak's goal is to hire as team members and recruit as franchise business owners 75,000 veterans and military spouses and 5,000 wounded warriors by 2014. Incentives for veterans hoping to join Valpak as a franchisee include the ability to acquire a Valpak territory with no franchise, training or initial territory fees. Additional savings kick in as the franchise continues to grow.

"Providing opportunities to honorably discharged vets is not only good business, but the right thing to do," says McElwain.

Writer: Missy Kavanaugh
Source: Rick McElwain, Valpak

A Largo company focused on a niche market is enjoying the fruits of its smaller scale efforts.

ConMed Linvatec, a medical manufacturer of surgical products, recently invested $2.8 million to renovate a 20,000-square-foot facility on its campus to expand its surgical training efforts, which attract surgeons from around the globe on a continual basis. The expansion will create jobs for clinicians interested in training the docs on the use of Linvatec's orthopedic tools in the new facility.

Danielle Ruiz, group manager for clinical and educational services for Conmed Linvatec, attributes the company's growth to the Linvatec branch's focus on marketing its orthopedic products to sports medicine professionals.

"We invested in new product development," says Ruiz. "Sports medicine specifically and in real terms arthroscopic surgery. At this location in Largo, we manufacture orthopedic and powered surgical instruments and products. We're very specific. This has resulted in jobs across the country and moved a lot of manufacturing jobs to Largo.

Ruiz says the new facility will result in a handful of new jobs. "We're going to need clinical people," she says. "People who understand orthopedic procedures and feel comfortable training others."

Ruiz says the company is committed to investing in its employees as well. "Much of our growth can also be attributed to investing in internal employees through grants we got from the state, thanks to Pinellas Economic Development, which helped us attain those grants."

Writer: Missy Kavanaugh
Source: Danielle Ruiz, Conmed Linvatec

Using text phones to teach a social studies lesson. Showing the Wizard of Oz to teach economic history and principles. These are just a few of the things being shared with teachers to promote economic literacy to their students to prepare them to compete in a global marketplace. And State Farm just gave nearly $20K to generate more of the same.

State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance contributed $19,000 to the Academy of Global Literacies at the Gus A. Stavros Center for Free Enterprise and Economic Education to support innovative professional development programs for K-12 educators throughout the Tampa Bay area.

"In order for students to have the knowledge and skills they're going to need to navigate an increasingly global economy they have to be financially literate," says Dick Puglisi, director of the Gus A. Stavros Center for Free Enterprise and Economic Education, and assistant dean of the USF College of Education. "And kids today are blogging, Twittering and communicating in ways we never did. How do we give teachers skills that connect with the ways kids are learning anyway? What we are striving to do is provide creative strategies for teachers so they themselves can be models of this type of technology in teaching them the skills they're going to need to be globally competitive."

"At the end of the day, it's the students who are our future workers," says Jose Soto, a State Farm spokesperson. "It's all about building the workforce in our community, and we need to empower teachers to do that."

State Farm has also been a strong supporter and community partner with the Stavros Center's state affiliate, the Florida Council on Economic Education, and the center's national affiliate, the Council for Economic Education.

Writer: Missy Kavanaugh
Sources: Dick Puglisi, The Gus A. Stavros Center for Free Enterprise and Economic Education; Jose Soto, State Farm

It seems an investment in time rather than money is really all you need to market your products these days.

Tony Duda, founder and CEO of online recruiting platform Talent Sprocket, has not only proven this to be true, but has been nominated for an award for doing so. His company is nominated for a 2012 BizTech Innovation Summit Award in social media at the BizTech Innovation Summit and Expo hosted by the Tampa Bay Technology Forum and The Tampa Bay Business Journal on March 13, 2012 at the Tampa Convention Center.  

Duda's approach to social media has garnered him not only customers, but the attention of venture capitalists. But as Duda explains, his success on social media channels was accomplished by simply joining in the conversation. And he invested very little of his time. 

"I tried to do about an hour on social media each day," explains Duda. "A little in the morning and a little in the evening. A lot of people think it's a full time job. But it's really not. It's a good solution to kind of stay current with what people are talking about and stay relevant to the conversation.  When someone has something to say that's interesting to you, engaging with them. That's all I really did."

Duda says his budget doesn't allow for content generation of his own just yet, but that by simply joining in the conversation he was able to generate the buzz he's currently enjoying. 

"It's probably better to create your own content," he explains, "But that takes a lot of time and there's no guarantee that people will look at it. But if you're responding to other people's content, at least you know someone will look at it. It's mostly just engaging other people with what they're already writing and talking about. We haven't had the time or resources to generate our own content. It's been about just commenting on other people's articles and blogs. Trying to help others promote their content. Maybe they'll return the favor some day."

Writer: Missy Kavanaugh
Source: Tony Duda, Talent Sprocket

Tony Duda. CEO of Talent Sprocket in Pinellas County, responded to a tweet from an investor at Southern Capital Ventures that resulted in Duda traveling to North Carolina to pitch his start-up company to a panel of investors.

Southern Capital Ventures announced they were looking for startups for their conference and would take submissions via Twitter. The contest tweet read, “Looking for a startup to pitch at Duke Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital Conference on Sat. 11/5. Best 140 characters wins. ”

Duda responded with the following tweet, “Talent Sprocket is a self-funded ready to rock hiring analytics tool actively spreading corporate hiring bliss. Ask our clients. ”

Duda’s company, Talent Sprocket, is an HR-focused web application that matches job candidates with specific positions through the use of data and analytics. The purpose of the application is to streamline the recruiting process. Duda credits the Tampa Bay Innovation Center with the success of his startup.

After receiving the news that he had won the contest, Duda traveled to Duke University to attend the Duke Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital Conference. The conference, on Nov. 5, gave early-stage entrepreneurs the chance to present their ideas to investors.

“The conference was great, and my pitch was well-received,” Duda says. “We hit all of our main points, and had some good conversations. ”

In addition to hearing from investors and other entrepreneurs, Duda gained some valuable insight.

“Being in the Tampa area we hear all of the challenges in the startup community, such as getting funding, hiring developers and launching projects,” Duda says. “One of the things I took away from listening to other entrepreneurs and companies in the research triangle is that they are having all of the same challenges. ”

Writer: Kimberly Patterson
Source: Tony Duda, Talent Sprocket

The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) was recently notified that it would receive a $5 million grant to be used to replace eight of the least fuel-efficient buses in its aging fleet.

The grant money is coming from the U.S. Department of Transportation, and is a part of the Federal Transit Administration’s State of Good Repair program. The PSTA will use the money to replace its oldest buses with hybrid models.

“The hybrids are a citizen favorite because they cut emissions across the board, most by 90 percent,” says Bob Lasher of the PSTA. “The hybrids not only save taxpayers money for operational funding, but cut America’s dependence on foreign oil as well. ”

The old PSTA buses that will be replaced are 13 years old, and the new diesel-hybrid buses are expected to arrive in approximately one year. Once the new buses arrive, one out of every six buses in the 200-bus fleet will be a diesel-electric hybrid. The PSTA, which now serves 41,000 customers daily, plans to eventually have an all hybrid model fleet in the future.

“Fleet replacement is ongoing,” Lasher says. “Should the board of directors continue approving the purchase of hybrids in the years to come, and no other better technology comes along in the meantime, our fleet should be nearly all hybrids by around 2021. ”

In addition to the implementation of diesel-hybrid buses, the PSTA has purchased hybrid sedans for its supervisory and other support vehicles. Other green initiatives include recycling sludge, waste oil and metal from the fleet, using low-flow irrigation systems and reclaimed water, as well as a bus washing facility that recycles and filters water to protect the groundwater supply.

Writer: Kimberly Patterson
Source: Bob Lasher, Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA)

If you have ever towed a recreational vehicle, Jet Ski or camper on the highway, you know how difficult it is to know what is happening to the trailer behind you while you are driving. Jim Aid, president of Tattle-Trail, has created a product that can change that uncertainty by enabling drivers to monitor their trailers while driving.

The Tattle-Trail is a portable wireless towing monitor system designed to alert drivers to potential towing hazards. The system uses state-of-the-art technology to detect possible problems.

"The technology looks for motion or vibration," says Aid. "It has software that will detect patterns of vibrations and looks for unusual patterns that may indicate a problem. If the system detects a problem, it will notify the driver using wireless communication."

In addition to monitoring issues on the road, the system can be used as an anti-theft tool as well.

"You can take the receiver into a hotel room or your mobile home, and if someone messes with it, the alarm will be set off to let you know there is a problem," Aid says. "It gives you peace of mind."

Aid says inspiration for the product came from his own experiences towing boats while traveling to powerboat races with his friends. He and two other engineers came up with the idea to develop the monitoring system. Aid credits the Tampa Bay Innovation Center with bringing his product to market.

"We could never have done this project without them," Aid says. "They helped us with a facility to get started, but more importantly they gave us a mentoring group and a lot of guidance."

Writer: Kimberly Patterson
Source: Jim Aid, Tattle-Trail