Tampa Bay Innovation Center Graduates Tenth Class Of Entrepreneurs In Pinellas County

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – (November 23, 2020) – Tampa Bay Innovation Center, in partnership with Creative Pinellas, has graduated its tenth cohort of the CO.STARTERS program.  CO.STARTERS is a nationally renowned business development platform that helps local communities grow their businesses.  The program provides entrepreneurs the tools they need to survive in their industry, create jobs and add to the economic activity in Pinellas County.

The CO.STARTERS curriculum was designed to incorporate a diverse mix of businesses for successful community outcomes.  Unlike traditional platforms, CO.STARTERS applies the lean business modeling methods popular among high-growth startups to businesses of all kinds. 

The cohorts consist of founders in the creative and tech sectors. “Founders participating in this cohort show us that there is no shortage of talent and creativity.  It is amazing to work with entrepreneurs from a diversity of industries. We are pleased to be part of their journey and watching each company as they continue to grow,” said Chris Paradies, chairman and CO.STARTERS facilitator.

The Tampa Bay Innovation Center has graduated more than 125 companies from the CO.STARTERS program.  Current graduates include:

·         Lourdes Rosas-Rasdall

·         Patrick A. Jackson,  Live Five Productions

·         Maria Aller,  Wood Over Water, LLC

·         Patricia Kluwe Derderian, Patikd, LLC

·         Amanda “Mandy” Roberts,  BrazenBella

·         Culver Casson, Culvernote Voice Studio

·         Cindy Devine,  Devine Designs Jewelry

·         Rick Hurst,  Rick Hurst Art

·         Glenyse Thompson, Glenyse Thompson Contemporary Art

·         Rakaile Washington, Roots of Gold , LLC

·         Aleisha Prather, Aleisha Prather Art

·         Colleen Cherry, Other People’s Pets Songs

·         Gina "Aussie" Milinovich, Aussie's ART Yard and Artistic Healing Center

·         Nancy Mizzell

Visit the CO.STARTERS Holiday Gift Guide to purchase from local CO.STARTER graduates.

Applications for the next cohort will open in February 2021. To find out more or join our waiting list visit our website at https://tbinnovates.com/costarters.

Duke Energy provided a grant to the Tampa Bay Innovation Center in 2016, specifically for the CO.STARTERS program. The Innovation Center is sponsored by Pinellas County Government and numerous community partners.

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 Tampa Bay Innovation Center:

Tampa Bay Innovation Center supports entrepreneurial success, fosters the creation of high-tech jobs and develops new sources of technology and manufacturing capabilities by nurturing early stage ventures as they grow and launch their products into the marketplace. The Innovation Center offers programs that are tailored to the innovator/entrepreneur and address business intelligence, planning and business formation, strategy execution and technology transition.

Follow Tampa Bay Innovation Center on Twitter, www.twitter.com/tbinnovates, LinkedIn,  https://www.linkedin.com/company/tampa-bay-innovation-center, Instagram,  https://www.instagram.com/tbinnovates/ and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/tbinnovationcenter.

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