News Summary
St. Petersburg is gearing up to host the inaugural Founders Live pitch event, where local entrepreneurs will showcase their startups. Scheduled for July 17, attendees will witness five founders delivering 99-second pitches followed by a Q&A session. The event aims to enhance the visibility of local startups and connect them with valuable resources and networking opportunities. The winning startup will receive a Founders Booster Pack and a chance to compete for a larger prize at the international level. Tickets are priced at $12.51, making this event accessible to a broad audience.
St. Petersburg Set to Host Founders Live Inaugural Pitch Event Showcasing Local Startups
St. Petersburg is preparing to host the inaugural Founders Live pitch event on Thursday, July 17, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at The Birchwood in downtown St. Petersburg. This event marks St. Petersburg as the 131st city to join the Founders Live network, which has supported startups across 53 countries and 130 cities worldwide.
During the event, five local founders will present their startups, each having 99 seconds to deliver their pitch. A four-minute question-and-answer session will follow, during which attendees will cast their votes for the winning startup. The event’s organizer, Karla Jo Helms, aims to spotlight and support local entrepreneurs who may not be getting the recognition they deserve.
Event Significance and Rewards
Attendees will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite pitch, and the winner will receive a Founders Booster Pack valued at over $1 million, which includes cash savings on essential apps and services for startups. Additionally, the winning startup will advance to the regional qualifiers for the Founders Live Prime Time, potentially leading to a $10,000 prize at the international level.
Local entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply to pitch at the event, while stakeholders from the community have the opportunity to nominate promising startups. Helms envisions that the event will lead to greater exposure for Tampa Bay startups on both national and international platforms.
Local Startup Ecosystem
Helms has emphasized the need to nurture the innovative pursuits within Tampa Bay that currently lack adequate visibility. The region is recognized as one of the top five cities for startups, with local businesses raising over $650 million in capital in 2025. More than 500 startups have generated approximately 5,200 jobs within the last decade.
Following the event, Helms plans to establish a quarterly cadence for Founders Live events, rotating among various areas in Tampa Bay. The goal is to connect entrepreneurs with valuable resources and networking opportunities similar to those found in renowned tech ecosystems such as Silicon Valley and Austin.
Global Interest and Community Engagement
This year’s event is noteworthy not only because of its local impact but also due to interest from international organizations, including those from Africa, which have expressed a desire to support it. This highlights the potential for local networks to expand on a global scale through initiatives like Founders Live.
Tickets for the event are available for $12.51, making it accessible to a broad audience. The initiative aims to foster a culture of understanding, acceptance, and adoption of new technologies within the community, thereby contributing to a vibrant startup ecosystem.
Conclusion
The Founders Live event in St. Petersburg is set to be an exciting opportunity for local startups to gain visibility, network with peers, and compete for substantial prizes. With strong local and international support, it is a move towards building a more robust entrepreneurial landscape in Tampa Bay.
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Additional Resources
- St. Pete Catalyst: Internationally Acclaimed Pitch Competition Heads to St. Pete
- Wikipedia: Startup
- I Love the Burg: St. Pete Pitch Night
- Google Search: St. Petersburg startups
- St. Pete Catalyst: St. Pete Pitch Night Highlights Local Startups
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