Innovate
Tampa Bay Innovation Center names managing director
A veteran of the Tampa-St. Pete technology sector has been named managing director of the Tampa Bay Innovation Center in St. Petersburg.
In his new role, Ken Evans is responsible for managing and executing the Tampa Bay Innovation Center’s new accelerator program, The Entrepreneurship and Investment Challenge. The a 12-week program, scheduled to launch later this month, is focused on preparing technology ventures to scale their companies.
Related: Startup Report #39, Tampa Bay Innovation Center
Evans is a product strategy and technical marketing executive with both venture-backed startups and Fortune 50 senior management experience. He has held marketing, product development, business development and operations positions at Compaq Computer (now HP), NYNEX (now Verizon) and several technology start-ups in industries including data and network security, enterprise SaaS software, systems management and digital media distribution.
Evans has played a key role in the local tech ecosystem, serving on the board of directors of TechNova Florida, which produces BarCamp and Ignite, as well as working on Hillsborough County’s EDI2 program for entrepreneurs. He also co-founded Tampa Bay’s first full-time coworking space, IdeaField.
“We are pleased to have Ken join Tampa Bay Innovation Center to share his experience in the world of tech startups and Fortune 50 corporations with the first cohort,” Tonya Elmore, president and CEO of the center, said in a news release. “His experience as an entrepreneur and mentor makes him an ideal person to guide our clients.”
The center’s first cohort, a timeline-based accelerator program, will focus on leadership, founder wellness and investor readiness in addition to providing connections, education, and mentorship. The program will culminate in a pubic demo day in early January.
