Tampa AI firm expands into larger space, ramps up hiring

TheIncLab (TIL), a data visualization and artificial intelligence firm that recently settled in Tampa Bay, has quickly outgrown its current space. 

The company, founded in Washington, D.C., develops artificial intelligence-based systems designed to learn and collaborate with humans. 

TIL announced Monday it will move from a 400-square-foot space at The Undercroft cybersecurity hub in Ybor City to an 8,000 square-foot space inside the historic “El Pasaje” building. 

The “El Pasaje” building in Ybor City was most recently reimagined as an innovation lab by SOFWERX, a defense innovation ecosystem that facilitates public-private collaboration. SOFWERX has since moved to another nearby location. 

“We are pleased to provide world-class data visualization and artificial intelligence support to defense and commercial efforts where it’s needed most. We are the first AI + X lab and one of the most unique in the country, and we hope to lead the way in artificial intelligence and data visualization capabilities in Tampa and in the United States,” TIL CEO Adriana Avakian said in a news release. 

TIL is also ramping up hiring with plans to create 40 new jobs in 2022 with an average annual wage of $85,000. The new positions will include software engineering, emerging technology, data science, 3D design and artificial intelligence roles.

The Tampa Bay Economic Development Council stated it was instrumental in assisting TIL with its initial expansion to Tampa in 2019. For the new expansion, the EDC assisted TIL with training grant programs, recruitment needs and introductions to academic partners and MacDill Air Force Base.

When TIL first opened an office in Ybor, Avakian said she wanted a location in the Tampa-St. Pete area to be close to customers, including U.S. military operations, and to take advantage of local talent.

The proximity to CENTCOM [United States Central Command] and SOCOM [United States Special Operations Command] and the access to talent were the ultimate factors that led TIL to select Tampa in 2019.