The Tampa Innovation Project

Hosted by The Tampa Innovation Project

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Latest episode

Apr 2024

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EN-US

About the show

The Tampa Innovation Project podcast focuses on bringing the key leaders, innovators and bright business minds from Tampa, FL area together to discuss crucial topics related to growing Tampa into a key economic and innovation market. The Tampa Innovation Project podcast is presented by Soaring City Innovation Partnership and is produced by theastronaut.io.

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9 recent

April 24, 202449 min

Episode 9: Andy Ross - Mayor of the City of Temple Terrace With Over 20 Years of Public Service

Andy was elected to the City Council in 2016 and served as Vice-Mayor in 2019 and Acting-Mayor in 2020. He was elected Mayor in November 2020. Prior to his elected service, he served the city as the chair of both the Municipal Code Enforcement Board and the River Watch Task Force. As an elected official he formerly served as the Vice-Chair of the Hillsborough River Inter-Local Planning Board and currently serves on the Transportation Planning Organization (Vice-Chair), the Suncoast Transportation Planning Alliance's TMA Leadership Group, the Tourism Development Council, both the Fire and Police Pension Boards and represents the city on the Tampa-Bay Economic Development Council and Visit Tampa Bay Advisory Board. He is also active with the Florida League of Mayors and the Florida League of Cities and is on the Executive Board of the Suncoast League of Cities. Additionally, he is a Life Member of the USF Alumni Association, a member of the USF Club, and several other professional and civic organizations. Before being elected service, Mayor Ross served in law enforcement, retiring as a Captain from the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, followed by service as the Deputy Chief of Police at Tampa International Airport and as president of a security consulting firm. He obtained both his B.A. and M.A. from Saint Leo University and completed a graduate program at the University of Louisville's Southern Police Institute. This podcast is produced by ⁠theastronaut.io⁠ and is filmed on location at ⁠astronautstudios.io

March 6, 202445 min

Ep 8: Tommy "Urban D" Kyllonen - How Community Has Driven 25 Years of Growth in Tampa

Tommy "Urban D." Kyllonen has been in ministry for over 20 years at Crossover Church in Tampa, Florida. He has been the lead pastor for over 15 years. Under his leadership the church has seen incredible growth. This multi-ethnic, multi-generational, multi-class church has become a model. As they grew, they relocated into a 43,000-square foot retail building that was a former Toys R' Us in Tampa’s Uptown District. Outreach Magazine recognized Crossover as one of America's Most Innovative Churches. Crossover has also been featured in USA Today, Newsweek, CBS News, BET News, and several regional media outlets. Urban D. is an internationally known hip-hop artist who has released 9 full-length albums and several remix projects. This podcast is produced by theastronaut.io and is filmed on location at astronautstudios.io

February 28, 202451 min

Ep 7: Tyler Martinolich - How Tampa is Fighting to Become a Hub for Film and Entertainment

#tampa #tampabay #tampainnovation Tyler Martinolich is the Film Commissioner of Tampa Bay, a Producer and an Actor. Tyler's current role as the Film Commissioner has him playing the liaison between filmmakers and the city to ensure that commercials and films in Tampa are able to lawfully and safely be produced. With a long career as a Producer and an Educator within the Film Industry, in this episode Tyler provides a candid look at the history of film in Tampa Bay and an optimistic outlook towards returning Tampa to it's once highly coveted status as a premiere location for Film and Entertainment. This podcast is produced by theastronaut.io and is filmed on location at astronautstudios.io

October 11, 202354 min

Episode 6: Ora Tanner - How education and accessibility can shape the future of Tampa

Meet Dr. Ora Tanner, the visionary Founder and CEO of Black Unicorn Education, an organization she established right here in Tampa. In this episode, we delve into the extraordinary odyssey of Dr. Tanner, exploring her experiences in education, technology, and innovation. Discover how she seamlessly transforms her wealth of knowledge into tangible initiatives, introducing innovative methods for education, learning, and universal accessibility. Join us as we explore the current and future landscapes of the Tampa metropolitan area. To learn more about the Soaring City Innovation Partnership go to soaringcity.com This podcast is produced by theastronaut.io

September 26, 202348 min

Episode 5: Alan Henderson - How E-Sports is impacting the economic landscape of Tampa and Beyond

Alan Henderson is the Founder multiple startups in the ESports and gaming spaces, including Dilemma Esports which he founded right here in Tampa. In this episode we take a deep dive into what Alan's journey has been like after starting Dilemma during his teenage years and growing it into a highly competitive and globally recognized Esports organization. To learn more about the Soaring City Innovation Partnership go to soaringcity.com This podcast is produced by theastronaut.io

September 15, 202339 min

Ep 4: Martika Jones - The State of Entrepreneurship in Tampa

Martika Jones is the Founder and CEO of BUP, a SaaS startup founded right here in Tampa. In this episode we take a deep dive into what Martika's journey has been like starting a business in Tampa after moving here in 2018. We also discuss what the current and future landscapes look like across the Tampa metropolitan area. To learn more about the Soaring City Innovation Partnership go to soaringcity.com This podcast is produced by theastronaut.io

September 6, 202344 min

Ep 3: Jon Dengler - Tampa's Wealth of Wisdom: A Conversation on Community and Innovation

Jon Dengler is the founder of multiple purpose driven non-profit organizations including Well Built Bikes. In this episode we learn about Jon's unique mission to serve those who need it most. To learn more about the Soaring City Innovation Partnership go to soaringcity.com This podcast is produced by theastronaut.io

August 24, 202334 min

Ep 2: Mark Sharpe - What does Innovation in Tampa look like Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow?

Mark Sharpe is a Tampa native with a long career dedicated to public service and is a pioneer of numerous initiatives aimed at growing Tampa into a desired economic hub. On today's episode the discussion then delves into the importance of building a robust economy throughout the city of Tampa, emphasizing that economic growth is not limited to high-skilled careers but includes various sectors that contribute to a thriving metropolitan area. The conversation touches on the historical challenges Tampa faced in attracting talent and businesses, citing a transition from a focus on home construction to banking, and later struggling to keep up with innovative industries like Silicon Valley. However, with efforts from organizations like the Soaring City Innovation Partnership and the startup community, Tampa has evolved into an attractive destination for both talent and innovative companies. Mark also highlights the importance of improved transit infrastructure to further enhance the city's appeal. Overall, the conversation showcases the evolving economic landscape and future aspirations for Tampa's growth and development. To learn more about the Soaring City Innovation Partnership go to soaringcity.com This podcast is produced by theastronaut.io

August 16, 202343 min

Episode 1: Chris Bowen - What is the Tampa Innovation Partnership and How is it Poised to Transform Tampa?

Join Chris Bowen, Chief Development Strategist for RD Management, in this engaging conversation as he sheds light on the transformation of a once-obsolete army airfield into a thriving innovation hub. As both Chairman of the Executive Board for the Soaring City Innovation Partnership and a key player in RD Management, Bowen narrates the evolution of Tampa's landscape and its role in the bigger picture. Bowen takes us through the process of land allocation and the nurturing of various projects, such as the establishment of a brewery by the Yuengling family. He explains how the Tampa Innovation Partnership came into existence, spearheaded by Mark Sharp, with the aim of harnessing the potential of large institutions like USF, Moffitt, and AdventHealth, to create a cohesive ecosystem of innovation. Focusing on the reimagining of Fowler Avenue as an innovative epicenter, Bowen emphasizes the importance of collaborative planning and its role in attracting people to a revitalized urban space. The conversation unveils the journey of turning an ordinary street into a dynamic neighborhood, inviting viewers and listeners to witness the transformation of Tampa's uptown area. To learn more about the Soaring City Innovation Partnership go to soaringcity.com This podcast is produced by theastronaut.io