
upsurge florida
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UPSURGE Florida is an effort led by Tampa Bay Wave and StarterStudio with a goal to increase access to early stage capital for startups “from the Space Coast to the Gulf Coast” where risk capital is generally in short supply. This effort, which is being funded by a 3-year grant from the US EDA’s Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, along with generous support of community sponsors, has already uncovered hundreds of previously untapped prospective investors eager to help Florida’s burgeoning tech startup ecosystem with new sources of capital.

Upsurge Partners

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UPSURGE Florida is an initiative
Tampa Bay Wave is a 501c3 with a mission to drive opportunity & prosperity in Tampa Bay by helping entrepreneurs BUILD, LAUNCH, and GROW breakout tech companies. More than just an accelerator, more than just coworking, Tampa Bay Wave is a “for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs” innovation community working to make Tampa Bay’s tech ecosystem stronger. Since 2013, Tampa Bay Wave has supported over 300 tech startups who collectively have collectively raised over $300 million and created more than 2,500 jobs.

StarterStudio is the only 501c3 nonprofit accelerator that supports Central Florida tech startup founders with the robust and comprehensive educational programming, coaching, funding, and other resources they need to build successful companies locally. Through bootcamps, accelerators, and other free or low-cost programs offered at locations throughout the region, StarterStudio guides entrepreneurs along a continuous development path, whether they are at the idea, build, or seed stage.