Former leaders from Microsoft, Roche, Catalina among new executive advisors at FIBA

Twelve Israeli companies coming to Tampa this year to learn more about doing business in the United States will have a high-profile team of executive advisors.

Corporate leaders who helped grow companies such as Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) and Roche Diagnostics will work with the Israeli companies while they are part of the 2019 cohort in the Launch program at the Florida-Israel Business Accelerator, a Tampa nonprofit that serves as a catalyst to bring new technologies and jobs to the U.S. and to Tampa Bay

This is the third cohort for FIBA, which was established by the Tampa Jewish Community Centers & Federation and is supported by the state of Florida, Hillsborough County and private donations. FIBA is one of several local groups focused on nurturing young companies in the area, as business and civic leaders look to bring more high-skill, high-wage jobs to Tampa Bay.

The executive advisors are:

Kim Stebbings

Kim Stebbings, with more than 35 years of experience in U.S. medical device sales, marketing and operations, working with multi-national and startup companies, will advise medical device and healthcare technology firms. Her corporate experience includes 16 years with Boehringer Mannheim/Roche Diagnostics where she ran a $100 million diabetes care diagnostics business line.

Daniel Greco

Daniel Greco, CEO at Ark Applications, a family office investment group and consulting firm. He’s also an Entrepreneur in Residence at the University of Tampa’s Lowth Entrepreneurship Center. Greco has led key projects for Tampa insurer Cunningham, Walt Disney Co. and Johnson & Johnson. FIBA said he would offer leadership vision, strategic planning and process improvement for its companies.

Ilya Movshovic

Ilya Movshovich, head of business development for UrBike, a Boulder, Colorado-based smart mobility company. Movshovich is also a mentor at San Francisco-based Comet Labs, a venture firm and startup lab, and an advisor at ridesharing app Plug & Ride and at Pacific Community Ventures. He is relocating from Silicon Valley to Tampa Bay for the duration of the 2019 FIBA Launch program, FIBA said.

Tom Crawford

Thomas Crawford, founder and president of Applied Business Concepts Inc., a consulting firm in Seattle. He previously was director of business development for Microsoft for nine years and has more than five years’ experience in venture capital investment in startups. He recently relocated to Sarasota.

Eric Williams

Eric Williams, former executive vice president and chief information officer at Catalina. After retiring from Catalina in 2012, Williams founded E2 Innovation Group, a technology consulting firm.

The 2019 Launch program starts Jan. 21. Six companies will be in Tampa from Jan. 21-Feb. 1, and another six companies will be in Tampa Feb. 5-15.  All the companies will return to Tampa March 11-15 to meet with investors, customers and strategic partners. The companies will be invited to FIBA’s annual “Innovation Fusion” event scheduled for May 23 at the Bryan Glazer Family JCC.