Local startup ecosystem pioneer launches hospitality collective 

Allie Felix has spent the past seven years fostering Tampa Bay’s startup and innovation ecosystem. She will now use that experience to propel a new venture. 

Felix has launched Goldia Group, a hospitality collective dedicated to cultivating community-focused businesses. She also unveiled her first two portfolio brands Tuesday: The Bunny Hive, a modern social studio for young children and their caregivers, and The Scout Guide Tampa & St. Petersburg, a curated publication highlighting local businesses and creators. 

In 2018, Felix became former CEO Lakshmi Shenoy’s first hire at Embarc Collective – the tech startup hub that helped cement Tampa Bay’s status as an entrepreneurial hotbed. She recently felt compelled to begin her “own founder journey.” 

“I want to pour my heart and soul into building this ecosystem of small business owners,” Felix said. “So, we built a hospitality collective to do that, and we’ll be acquiring, launching, franchising and operating small businesses really focused on community building for our neighbors.” 

Felix, a Tampa Bay native, is now the Bunny Hive’s largest franchisee. The social club provides regularly scheduled art, music, sensory, dance, baby massage and culinary exploration programming for infants and toddlers. 

The Bunny Hive’s studios also offer social events and pop-up workshops for caregivers. Felix, who has two kids, aged 1 and 3, said the brand “really resonated” and fills a need. 

She will open the area’s first Bunny Hive in Odessa in June, followed by a flagship South Tampa location in early 2026. Her territory spans from St. Petersburg to Wesley Chapel, and community demand will determine an ideal third area location. 

“What I’m so drawn to about the Bunny Hive brand is that it’s so beautiful and warm and inviting,” Felix said. “I think, as parents, you feel like you kind of have to renounce that identity. There are all these beautiful restaurants, bars and experiences in Tampa and St. Pete, but once you become a parent, the options are limited.” 

Felix acquired the Scout Guide affiliate from Tampa business leader Allison Adams. The woman-owned, digital and print publication showcases local businesses and experiences and promotes neighborhood engagement. 

“It feels incredibly meaningful to pass the baton to someone so committed to championing community-driven entrepreneurship in Tampa and St. Petersburg,” Adams said in a prepared statement. 

The Scout Guide occasionally highlights popular local editorials on its national platform. Felix also plans to host in-person experiences under the publication’s umbrella, like coffee mingles or more formal supper club events.

The Bunny Hive will uplift area children and families, while The Scout Guide elevates local businesses. Felix believes both align with her goal of creating a “really successful community.” 

Her background suggests she will achieve that mission. Shenoy recruited Felix to help launch Embarc following stints in New York and San Francisco. The organization’s members boast a 96% five-year success rate; the national average is 45%. 

Felix always knew she would return to Tampa Bay and called it an honor to support area founders, “the stars,” as they built brands, hired teams and raised capital. She now relishes the opportunity to “take a dose of my own medicine.”

“When I was deciding whether or not to make this switch, there were several startup founders in this community that I met with and asked for guidance and counsel,” Felix added. “We’ve got such a vibrant, supportive community of founders who really enabled me to feel like it was my time.” 

She called Reuben Pressman an inspiration. Felix noted the St. Petersburg-based entrepreneur, lauded for his contributions to the local tech startup ecosystem, is now expanding his impact in the city through the St. Pete Athletic Paddle & Social Club.

“I just think it’s a fun new era of small business entrepreneurship,” Felix elaborated. “And taking these tech-minded startup leaders in our community and finding new applications for supporting the next phase of entrepreneurial growth in the region.”