In late August, industry and thought leaders gathered for the Florida Chamber of Commerce's inaugural Florida Technology and Innovation Solution Summit at Water Street Tampa. Michele Smith

Frank Gruber, co-Founder and co-CEO of the Portland, Maine area-Established® and Established Ventures, Startup of the Year® Community and Awards. Ivan Piedra/Courtesy of Startup of the Year Summit

The Startup of the Year Summit was hosted by Lakshmi Shenoy and her team at Embarc Collective in downtown Tampa. Ivan Piedra/Courtesy of Startup of the Year Summit

Mozella Callaway, left, Audrey Myers, Suzanne Runyan, and Robyn Murphy mingle and shop at the Christmas party. Amber Sigman

Preston Wimbish, Major in Journalism and Communication and Speech Studies, University of Tampa

Amanda Zaino, Major in Marine Science-Biology, University of Tampa

Students show their specialty T-shirts Friday on their first of class. Courtesy of USF

Cardiovascular surgeon replacing a valve during heart surgery at Tampa General Hospital. Courtesy of Tampa General Hospital.

THAP CEO Derrick Blue volunteers at Potter Elementary in East Tampa. Courtesy of Vistra

Baking skills are taught to culinary students supported by the Ryan Wells Foundation. Courtesy of Ryan Wells Foundation

Keara Thompson, Tampa Housing Authority Jobs Plus program manager at Robles Park Village. Amber Sigman

Courtesy of Tampa Bay Startup Week

Derrick Blue, CEO of THAP Group in Tampa. Amber Sigman