Where innovation gets down to business.

Tampa Bay Innovation Center, an innovation and entrepreneurship center for technology businesses, has received a grant of $400,000 from the state of Florida for a St. Petersburg-based incubator to promote business growth by providing access to lab facilities, research institutions, entrepreneurial support and educational opportunities dedicated to the marine science, biotechnology and healthcare technology startup communities.

“We are pleased that the state of Florida is supporting our efforts to create high-tech, high-wage jobs in sectors identified as targeted industries by the City of St. Petersburg, Pinellas County and the State of Florida,” says Tonya Elmore, Innovation Center president. “The St. Petersburg program will build upon the partner network we have established over a 10-year period, but will also include initiatives that will bring new partners to the network.”

Tampa Bay Innovation Center, an innovation and entrepreneurship center for technology businesses, has launched StartUp Studio 2.0, featuring the Kauffman Foundation’s FastTrac program.

“Kauffman FastTrac TechVenture™ is the second element of our StartUp Studio program, and helps aspiring and existing technology and life sciences entrepreneurs gain the business skills and insights, tools, resources and network they need to start and grow successful businesses,” says Tonya Elmore, president of Tampa Bay Innovation Center.  “As with our other StartUp Studio program, the program fee for entrepreneurs with military experience can be waived, thanks to a grant from Enterprise Florida, Inc. and the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.”

GrowFL and Tampa Bay Innovation Center, an innovation and entrepreneurship center for technology businesses, are presenting a CEO Forum for presidents, CEOs and business owners on Friday, May 17, 2013, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at The Centre Club, 123 S. Westshore Blvd., Eighth Floor, Tampa, Fla. 33609.  The program begins with registration and networking from 8 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., with the presentation and Q&A from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Tony DiBenedetto, chairman and CEO of Tribridge, will speak with Moderator Suzie Boland of RFB Communications Group about “No Fear:  Taking Risks and Celebrating Failures.” A lifelong entrepreneur, DiBenedetto cofounded Tribridge in 1998 and has led the firm through the successful acquisition and integration of several companies, resulting in a compounded annual growth rate of more than 40 percent each year.  He has received numerous leadership awards, including the 2009 Ernst & Young Florida Entrepreneur Of The Year® award in Technology, and has dedicated his career to business innovation, customer advocacy and servant leadership.