Tampa Bay Wave

This EDA investment supports a partnership between Tampa Bay Wave (WAVE)—Florida’s top tech accelerator—the University of South Florida and other private and public sector entities to create industry-driven innovation clusters in cybersecurity, finance, and healthcare. The Tampa Bay Cybersecurity/Fintech & HealthTech Accelerator + Innovation Network (TB CfHAIN) will expand WAVE’s programming by running nine, 90-day accelerator cohorts specifically tailored for these industry verticals, which will generate new, high-growth startups that foster job creation and retention. The project will also utilize WAVE’s mentor and investor networks to support accelerator alumni and other tech startups in the regions. Given Florida’s persistent early-stage capital gaps, TB CfHAIN will also greatly expand investor outreach, launch an investor portal, and increase the region’s capacity for Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer program support.