News Summary
Rebecca Brown has been appointed the new CEO of the Tampa Bay Innovation Center, succeeding Tonya Elmore. This change comes as TBIC undergoes a significant rebranding and launches the ARK Innovation Center project, which has received substantial investment. Brown aims to enhance collaboration within the local tech ecosystem to drive innovation and economic growth in the region. The ARK Innovation Center, designed to support disruptive startups, is expected to have a significant economic impact by creating jobs and fostering entrepreneurship.
Tampa Bay is set to experience a significant transformation with the appointment of Rebecca Brown as the new CEO of the Tampa Bay Innovation Center (TBIC). Brown succeeds Tonya Elmore, the center’s founding CEO, who exited earlier this year, marking a pivotal moment in TBIC’s ongoing strategic rebranding efforts.
The Tampa Bay Innovation Center is currently undergoing a major overhaul with ambitious plans for a full rebrand. Central to this change is the ARK Innovation Center project, which has attracted a notable $15.87 million investment from ARK Invest. This project is crucial for the center as it aims to establish a robust environment for entrepreneurship and innovation in the region.
Rebecca Brown, who relocated to Tampa Bay from New York City in late 2020, brings a wealth of experience to her new role. She is a former executive at Goldman Sachs, a serial entrepreneur, and a Harvard graduate with an MBA from Columbia Business School. Brown has over 20 years of expertise in the fields of entrepreneurship, finance, and innovation. Notably, she co-founded Solemates, a brand specializing in foot-care solutions that gained national attention on the television program Shark Tank.
The TBIC leadership team, which includes board chairperson Cathie Wood, has expressed optimism about the center’s potential to become a national hub for venture capital, technology, and innovation. This optimism is further fueled by the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s commitment of $11.26 million to the ARK Innovation Center project. This initiative aims to create more than 1,200 jobs and generate a substantial $127 million economic impact within its first four years of operation.
Brown’s vision for TBIC emphasizes the importance of collaboration within the local tech ecosystem to spur innovation and drive economic growth. She is determined to focus on building a solid foundation for the center while enhancing partnerships with community stakeholders. The ARK Innovation Center will serve as the first facility in Pinellas County specifically designed to support disruptive startups and nurture entrepreneurship in a myriad of critical industries, including technology, life sciences, and education. It is strategically located at 1101 4th St. S. in St. Petersburg’s Innovation District.
Alison Barlow, the executive director of the Innovation District, has expressed enthusiasm regarding Brown’s leadership, highlighting the immense potential for collaboration that exists in the district. Brown’s role as CEO is seen as a personal milestone, reflecting her commitment to creating opportunities for companies seeking investments, business development, and robust community support.
In light of her appointment, Cathie Wood praised Brown’s entrepreneurial spirit, operational expertise, and passion for fostering innovation within the region. With the new leadership and ambitious projects underway, the Tampa Bay Innovation Center is poised to play a crucial role in the growth and development of the local startup ecosystem as it looks toward a promising future.
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Additional Resources
- St. Pete Catalyst: New CEO of Innovation Centers
- Florida Politics: ARK Innovation Center Funding
- Business Observer: Innovation Center Board Appointments
- Florida Trend: Friday’s Afternoon Update
- Wikipedia: Innovation
Author: STAFF HERE TAMPA WRITER
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