Tampa tops Forbes’ list of emerging tech cities

Tampa tops the list of emerging tech cities

Reports from Aaron Mesmer

TAMPA, Florida. – Tampa tops the list of emerging tech cities, ahead of New York and San Francisco, home of Silicon Valley, according to a recent report by Forbes.

There are more than 50 software and IT companies in Tampa, according to the report. The city is also responsible for more than 25% of the state’s tech jobs, with more than 2,000 new jobs expected this year.

“Without a doubt, it will go on and there will be a real snowball if we move forward,” said Tampa Mayor Jane Castor. “This is one of the reasons these companies are focusing on the Tampa Bay area because they know that workers are available and we continue to provide the necessary training to ensure that those workers are available when other companies choose to If you move or change, you start growing your business here. “

Along with Forbes, Castor credited Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik with his investment in the tech industry. Vinik and Microsoft Founder Bill Gates have invested $ 3.5 billion in developing Water Street, which is aimed at technology companies.

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Vinik also helped found the nonprofit Embarc Collective, whose goal is to attract young technology-minded entrepreneurs to Tampa, match them with top talent, and coach them to success.

“I live locally to strengthen the startup community here,” said Lakshmi Shenoy, CEO of Embarc Collective. “So for me I wasn’t surprised [by the Forbes ranking]. I have a front row seat every day. To give you some context, we started working with startups in 2019, Embarc Collective did, and we were working with 25 startups at that time. Now we’ve quadrupled that number. “

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Florida Funders, another Tampa company, was instrumental on the investment side.

Tom Wallace, a managing partner, told FOX 13 that his company has invested an average of $ 1.5 million each in technology startups.

“We want to be better known for technology and innovation than tourism and strawberries,” Wallace said, adding that the tech boom will continue even during the COVID-19 pandemic. “I don’t think we want to be the next Silicon Valley. We want to be ourselves and who we are, and we have our own strengths and our own opportunities that really don’t conflict with Silicon Valley.”

Miami ranked second on the Forbes list, followed by New York City, Austin, TX, and San Francisco.

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