Entrepreneurs from a variety of industries will come together February 4-8 for the fifth year of
Techstars Startup Week Tampa Bay, and organizers expect this one will be the biggest and best yet.
“We've seen our numbers grow from a few hundred to a few thousand over the course of the last four years,” says JR Griggs, Founder and President of Red Wall Marketing and Lead Organizer of Startup Week Tampa Bay. “As we continue to raise the bar and add more and more value, we see word spreading and our attendance growing.”
Attendees will have more than 100 events on 16 industry-specific tracks to choose from during the week, including panel discussions, education sessions, and workshops on everything from social media engagement to fundraising. They’ll also have plenty of opportunities for networking and connection building throughout the week.
Tampa Bay was chosen as one of six flagship locations for Techstars Startup Week five years ago because the area had proven itself to be a player in the startup ecosystem, Griggs says. Plus, there was already a community of people committed to advancing its success through similar events, which also made Tampa Bay an appealing location.
That commitment remains strong, and as Startup Week Tampa Bay moves into its fifth year, there are no signs of it slowing down. That can-do spirit is reflected in this year’s theme, “No Excuses.”
“We want attendees to walk away with not only the resources, network, and motivation to do amazing things, but also the drive to throw away any excuses holding them back,” Griggs says. “If we can have people leaving feeling empowered to follow their passions, solve problems, and continue to grow the Tampa Bay entrepreneurial ecosystem, we can call the event a success."
As in the previous three years, Startup Week Tampa Bay will be held in both Tampa and St. Pete, though this year’s event will kick off in St. Pete. 3 Daughters Brewing will serve as the St. Pete home base on February 4-5 before the event moves to Armature Works in Tampa from February 6-8.
Other highlights of Startup Week Tampa Bay include:
- Guest speakers from industries ranging from higher education to technology to interior design.
- A Startup Showcase in both St. Pete and Tampa where a select group of startups can show off their products and compete for prizes based on audience votes.
- Mentorship opportunities available throughout the week on subjects such as marketing and funding.
Once the event is over, Griggs is confident the entrepreneurial momentum will continue to grow.
“Tampa Bay is increasingly being recognized as a hot spot for innovation, entrepreneurship, and talent,” he said. “We believe that by providing the resources, connections, and knowledge, we can help continue that trend.”
To learn more about the event and to register for it,
click here.
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