A new Tampa startup accelerator program to launch this fall
A new statewide startup accelerator program backed by Florida's most influential business leaders is taking shape with Tampa Bay tapped to anchor a health care track.
The Florida Council of 100 has announced an expansion of its initial pilot accelerator in South Florida. The program, in partnership with eMerge Americas and Related Ross, ran fintech and defense cohorts earlier this year that drew more than 100 applications per track.
The region's health care track will be based at Embarc Collective and focus on startups working in health care delivery, medical devices, diagnostics and digital health.
Rather than operating as a traditional mentorship-driven accelerator, the program is designed around direct engagement with large employers — particularly statewide hospital systems and providers — giving startups access to potential customers and procurement decision-makers, Florida Council of 100 President CEO Mike Simas told the Tampa Bay Business Journal.
