TEC Garage Announces March 2018 Series of CO.STARTERS

Unique Program Serves Aspiring Entrepreneurs  in the Arts, Creative Industries, Healthcare and Technology

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- (Feb. 26, 2018) -- TEC Garage, developed by Tampa Bay Innovation Center to support entrepreneurial success, has added a new focus to its CO.STARTERS series.  Joining with Creative Pinellas, TEC Garage has tailored this series of the nationally renowned business development platform specifically for aspiring entrepreneurs in the arts and creative industries as well as in healthcare and technology. The nine-week program will begin Mar. 28, 2018.  

“Support provided by Creative Pinellas will fund the program for artists, art organizations and arts-related startups; providing a unique approach to the integration of the arts with entrepreneurship,” says Tonya Elmore, CEO of Tampa Bay Innovation Center. “We are extremely pleased that our partnership with Creative Pinellas will allow us to open CO.STARTERS to a new audience, in addition to the healthcare and technology entrepreneurs we will continue to serve.”

Starting Mar. 28, CO.STARTERS will be held on Wednesdays for nine weeks, from 6-9 p.m. at TEC Garage, 244 2nd Ave. North, St. Petersburg 33701. The program is facilitated by Chris Paradies, president of Paradies Law, P.A. Guest speakers will include business professionals from the Tampa Bay area.

The full cost of the program (without a scholarship) is $275. Participants will receive two months free coworking space in TEC GARAGE upon graduation – a $150 value. For information, contact 727-547-7340.  

CO.STARTERS is a unique entrepreneurial program that equips aspiring entrepreneurs with the practical insights, relationships and tools needed to turn their business ideas into action,  Unlike traditional platforms, CO.STARTERS applies the lean business modeling methods popular among high-growth startups to businesses of all kinds. 

CO.STARTERS originated with The Company Lab, a Chattanooga, Tenn. organization that offers programs and events to support local startups and innovators, acting as a catalyst for a healthy entrepreneurial community. The CO.STARTERS model has been tested for years with thousands of local creative entrepreneurs in Chattanooga, Cincinnati and Detroit, and is now available to help other startup communities across the nation.

About Creative Pinellas:
At Creative Pinellas our mission is to facilitate a vibrant, integrated, collaborative and sustainable Pinellas County Arts Community. We strive to be the premier Local Arts Agency, recognized locally and globally for our contribution to arts and culture. We are focused on creating vibrant communities; supporting artists, arts organizations and the creative community; supporting economic development; showcasing Pinellas County as a cultural destination; and making arts and creative expression and experience available to all. 

As the County’s Local Arts Agency, Creative Pinellas is funded by the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners, Visit St Petersburg / Clearwater, the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and by sales of the State of the Arts specialty license plate in Pinellas County.

About TEC Garage:
TEC Garage, (the Technology and Entrepreneurship Center) is an incubator and coworking center that provides entrepreneurs with the tools needed to accelerate entrepreneurial success by turning an idea into a business or taking a business to the next level. Located in downtown St. Petersburg, TEC Garage was developed through a collaborative partnership with the St. Petersburg community leaders, Pinellas County Government and the State of Florida. Follow TEC Garage on Twitter, and on Facebook. 

MEDIA CONTACT:
Suzie Boland
RFB Communications Group
813-786-1019
sboland@rfbcommunications.com