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Business briefs: Sneak peek at Embarc Collective, Tampa Bay Innovation Center plans accelerator and more
Embarc Collective has released the first renderings of its 32,000-square-foot space that will open early next year in downtown Tampa.
Embarc Collective is a 32,000-square-foot facility to bring together startups, venture capitalists, academic resources and startup-focused partners.
The facility, at East Whiting Street and Jefferson Street, will formally bring together startups, venture capitalists, academic resources and startup-focused partners.
Embarc worked with architects at KWJ and designers at Kreher/Barna Design Studio on the project, detailed earlier by the St. Pete Catalyst.
A rendering of Embarc Collective’s space
Embarc began accepting applications today for membership, which are priced at $465 per person per month. Click here for details.
Accelerator
The Tampa Bay Innovation Center plans to start taking applications in January for its first accelerator.
The non-profit incubator and co-working space has a $50,000 grant from the City of St Petersburg to establish the accelerator, which is comparable to a boot camp, providing concentrated resources over a period of a few weeks.
The idea is to support startups that are part of the targeted industries in the city’s Grow Smarter strategy, said Jessica Eilerman, the city’s small business liaison and Greenhouse manager.
Those targeted industries are marine and life sciences, data analytics, specialized manufacturing, creative arts and design, and financial services.
“We have existing firms in those strategic opportunities,” Eilerman said. “We want to make sure we are also working on new firms in those same industries, give them the same support and development so they can grow and expand.”
Tonya Elmore is president and CEO of Tampa Bay Innovation Center.
Between six to 10 companies are expected in the accelerator’s first cohort, said Tonya Elmore, president and CEO of the Innovation Center, during an open house Tuesday morning.
The Innovation Center moved to 501 1st Ave. N. earlier this year, where it leases 20,000 square feet on two floors. It plans a permanent home at 4th Street and 11th Avenue South, on land currently owned by the city. Pinellas County has pledged $3 million in matching funds if a $9 million federal grant is approved to build the facility. The county expects to get a decision soon on that grant, Mike Meidel, director of Pinellas County Economic Development, said Tuesday morning.
Acquisition
Digital Media Solutions, a Clearwater-based marketing firm, has acquired Fosina Marketing Group Inc.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Fosina is a data-driven marketing firm with customized direct-to-consumer subscription marketing solutions for clients including Harper Collins Publishing, Save The Children, National Wildlife Federation, Amora Coffee, Meredith Corp. and Highlights for Children.
“The acquisition of the Fosina Marketing Group is a strategic move that will allow DMS to dive deeper into our relationships with consumer-facing e-commerce brands,” Joe Marinucci, CEO of Digital Media Solutions, said in a press release.
