Entrepreneurship : Innovation + Job News

Orbeco-Hellige, Inc., a manufacturer of instruments and products for testing water located in Manatee County, is expanding and plans to create jobs over the next five years. The company, which was originally founded in Germany in 1890, started its U.S. subsidiary in 1920 and relocated from Long Island to Sarasota in 2008.  With incentive money from the county, the company plans to expand its warehouse space to accommodate a testing lab, as well as hire additional staff.

"We plan on adding at least seven positions over the next five years,'' says Kaylie Boland, marketing and product manager for Orbeco-Hellige. "Our laboratory and warehouse expansion is scheduled to be complete this fall, and the first new hires are likely to coincide with their completion.''

According to the Manatee Economic Development Council, the jobs that will be added will pay 50 percent more on average than the county average wage. The company currently has 11 full-time employees, but is excited to welcome new employees as new positions are filled.

"The positions will cover several areas, but since our laboratory and warehouse expansion will greatly increase our production capacity, our first hires are likely to be laboratory and warehouse oriented,'' says Boland. "We pride ourselves on going above and beyond to make our customers happy, so anyone that we hire, regardless of the position, would have to be very 'customer service'-orientated.  Because of the technical nature of our business, we are always looking for people with a science and/or technical background to complement their area of expertise.''
 
The water analysis instruments Orbeco-Hellige produces serve the municipal and industrial water and wastewater markets. The Sarasota facility handles sales, service and support operations for North and South America. The company's worldwide markets include public health, science and medicine.
 
Writer: Kimberly Patterson
Source: Kaylie Boland, Orbeco-Hellige

BlueGlass Interactive, an innovative digital marketing agency in Tampa, plans to double its workforce by the end of the year. The company, which was founded in 2010, has offices around the globe, including in New York, Los Angeles and Australia, however, its headquarters is in the Bay area.

"The founders of BlueGlass saw this as the best place to grow their business because the area has tremendous talent, low cost of living, and easy access to the airport,'' says Chris Winfield, Chief Marketing Officer of BlueGlass. "Not to mention that it’s a beautiful place to live.''

Winfield goes on to say that the founders of BlueGlass sought to fill a void in the digital marketing space. "With large agencies, you sometimes lose speed and the ability to be flexible,'' he says. "But with small agencies, you may find they have trouble maintaining consistency or servicing larger accounts. BlueGlass combines the best of both types of agencies; offering the personalized attention and speed of a boutique agency, while offering the scalability and reliability of a larger agency.''

Winfield says the company currently has 10 open positions, including account/business development managers, marketing and PR positions as well some support roles. Job opportunities can be found on the company's career page.

"One of the main goals at BlueGlass is to simply be a place where every single person loves coming into the office and loves what they do,'' Winfield says. "By hiring people who are excited about their work, and truly looking to deliver value back to our clients and back to the team, we've developed a unique culture of extraordinary employees.''

BlueGlass Interactive is located at 4343 Anchor Plaza Parkway, Suite 230, in Tampa.

Writer: Kimberly Patterson
Source: Chris Winfield, BlueGlass Interactive

Plans are underway for October’s technology event, BarCamp and Code Camp Tampa 2012. This will be the first year the two local events coincide with each other creating a networking and learning opportunity for local techies and entrepreneurs.

Both events have taken place in the past, with Code Camp in its seventh year and BarCamp in its fifth year. The collaboration of both well-attended occasions is expected to bring more than 1,000 attendees to USF for the day-long event on October 13.

“This event brings the technology community together,” say Joel Lopez, founder of 2Z Consulting and co-chairman of BarCamp/Code Camp Tampa 2012. “Businesses have been built as a result of this event, and while it occurs annually, attendees bond and collaborate throughout the year.”

The October event will bring two very different camps together giving attendees a diverse array of speakers, networking opportunities and valuable information. Code Camp, which is structured with speakers in a workshop environment, is designed for developers with a focus on Microsoft and its related technologies. BarCamp is more casual with no pre-planned schedules, and has a broader focus including topics for entrepreneurs and educators, not just developers. While both camps are unique in their own way, the focus remains on technology leadership and creative solutions.

Lopez says that he and other organizers are seeking corporate sponsorships from local businesses. With the mass number of technology-minded people attending BarCamp/Code Camp, Lopez says it is a great opportunity for businesses to get involved in the tech community.

Writer: Kimberly Patterson
Source: Joel Lopez, BarCamp/Code Camp Tampa 2012

CoWorkTampa, an alternative workspace for freelancers, entrepreneurs and small businesses located on Armenia Avenue, recently underwent renovations and will be hosting a public event to show off its new digs. The alternative workspace offers members the opportunity to have a dedicated area to get work done while also collaborating with others.
 
“A lot of our members were working in crowded coffee shops or from their home, which have plenty of distractions and are isolated,” says Chris Arnoldi, principal of CoWorkTampa. “At CoWorkTampa, you are encouraged to bounce ideas off each other and collaborate. The goal is to innovate, where eventually our members grow their business into larger companies.”
 
According to Arnoldi, the workspace was redone with new paint and buffed floors, several large screen televisions and new furniture was moved in as well. He goes on to say that the space has an “urban loft” feel to it with open ceilings.
 
“The space offers what any proper co-working space does,” he says. “We can accommodate 100 co-working memberships, and still have enough space for another 20 people working out of the dozen private offices.”
 
In addition to the upgraded décor, the workspace also offers a large co-working area/conference room, high-speed internet, A/V equipment, a kitchen/break room and parking.
 
To celebrate the renovation, CoWorkTampa is opening its doors to the public on Tuesday, July 31 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. CoWorkTampa is located in Tampa’s historic Garcia & Vega Cigar Factory, 3104 North Armenia Ave, Suite 2, in Tampa.
 
Writer: Kimberly Patterson
Source: Chris Arnoldi, CoWorkTampa

AgileThought, a custom software solutions company in Tampa, is planning to hire 18 people by the end of the year. The company, which was founded in 2004, provides enterprise mobile and custom software solutions. It was founded by friends and colleagues David Romine, Ryan Dorrell and John Wagner who had each spent many years leading internal IT organizations for global companies in Tampa before starting AgileThought.

“Our entire business is built on our partnerships with our clients,” says David Romine, CEO of AgileThought. “Having a presence in Tampa, enables us to have more face time with our clients which build stronger partnerships.”  

The growing company also recently relocated to the ninth floor of 2502 North Rocky Point Drive overlooking Tampa Bay.    

“We're growing at an incredible pace, and we needed a new, larger space to accommodate our staff,” says Jeff Alagood, COO of AgileThought. “These changes are about improving and expanding our organization and our desire to provide the best possible working environment for all our great team members.”

The innovative and creative work environment includes a game room and a fully stocked refrigerator. The leadership team hopes the unique perks will attract top talent to its growing company. Currently there are open positions for a senior developer, technical architect and UI/UX designers.

AgileThought is also expanding in the Midwest U.S. with a new office in Chicago. The company serves clients nationwide and aims to continue growing and expanding in the future.

Writer: Kimberly Patterson
Source: David Romine and Jeff Alagood, AgileThought

Two successful media companies are merging and as a result will create jobs for media professionals in Tampa. The Web Decorators and Kim Francis Communications have come together to produce a full-service integrated inbound marketing agency. The new company, Media Fusion, will service customers through integrated solutions including, search engine optimization (SEO), blogging, content publishing and social networking.

“The marketing service industry is transforming,” says Cindy Kelly, president of Media Fusion. “Media is moving in a more viral direction. As a result, companies are investing more of their marketing dollars in content like blogs, social media and webinars and less in traditional forms of media such as print, radio and television. The merger of our two agencies will allow us to be more of a hybrid marketing agency that is more tech savvy, agile and collaborative then most traditional PR firms.”

As a full-service marketing agency, Media Fusion will be looking to expand as its client base grows. Kelly says she expects to add two to five new positions in the next two years.

“The merger allows us to increase our service offerings and will ultimately grow our client base,” she says. “We anticipate our company will employ professionals with experience and expertise in content marketing, social media consulting, blogging, search engine optimization, mobile marketing and website development, as well as evolved forms of publicity, brand marketing and crisis communications.”

Web Decorators, which was previously located in the Westchase neighborhood, has been in business since 2005 and has since relocated to the offices of Kim Francis Communication in Ybor City. Operations for the merged company, Media Fusion, will be housed at 1517 E. 7^th Ave., Suite E, in Tampa.

Writer: Kimberly Patterson
Source: Cindy Kelly, Media Fusion

xpedx, a business-to-business distribution company with offices in Tampa and Lakeland, plans to hire more than 300 people in the next three to five years. The company recently opened a new 200,000-square-feet distribution center in Lakeland.

“We wanted to upgrade our distribution network in Florida, and move to a more modern facility to better service our customers,” says Mike Natale, division manager of logistics, sales and operations at xpedx. “Lakeland is geographically in the center of our customer demand area, serving customers in Orlando, Tampa and northern Florida.”

xpedx distributes a variety of packaging, facility solutions and print supplies and equipment to printers, manufacturers, retailers and commercial facilities across the U.S. The larger space in Lakeland allows the company to offer a greater selection of inventory to its customers. With more room to grow at the distribution center, Natale says the company plans to do quite a bit of hiring.

“Our hope is to double our workforce at the distribution center in Lakeland,” Natale says. “We currently have 75 people working there now, but we will be hiring logistics employees moving forward.”

 In addition to its distribution center in Lakeland, xpedx has sales and customer service centers in Tampa and Orlando, which will be growing as well.

“We plan to hire additional sales and customer service staff in our Tampa and Orlando offices,” Natale says. “We currently have approximately 75 employees in Tampa and 25 employees in Orlando; we will most likely grow by 50 percent in staff at those locations.”

Writer: Kimberly Patterson
Source: Mike Natale, xpedx

The Intellectual Property Owners Association (IPO) ranked USF 10^th  worldwide among all universities granted U.S. patents in 2011. Every year the IPO ranks the top 300 organizations worldwide to receive patents; this year 11 universities were included. Other institutions on the list include Stanford, MIT and Caltech. While USF ranked 281^st among all organizations, it was the only university in Florida to be included in the report.

“USF is a global research university, and part of what distinguishes us is that our faculty, staff and students are true innovators, free to think in any direction, and given incentives for success,” says Dr. Paul R. Sanberg, USF VP for research and innovation. “The discoveries and patents that come as a result of USF’s unwavering focus on research and innovation represent the potential for new products, new jobs and new businesses.”

USF was issued 86 patents, which is an increase of more than 3 percent from 2010. Valerie McDevitt, assistant VP for patents and licensing at USF, shared some of the most innovative patents USF created. They include:

1. Radioactive seeds that allow a breast surgeon to find suspected lumps or lesions for biopsy, resulting in earlier surgery times, a better procedure and improved outcomes;

2. A new type of roller coaster that lets the rider control their path to a larger degree than on most roller coasters;

3. A hands-free “dancing wheelchair” on which the rider uses his or her entire body like a joy-stick to move the chair;

4. A “backpack relocator” for wheelchairs that moves the backpack from the back of the chair to where the user can access its contents, providing tremendous independence for returning veterans and others with handicaps that limit their range of motion. 

Click here for a full list of the IPO report.
 
Writer: Kimberly Patterson
Source: Paul R. Sanberg and Valerie McDevitt, USF

Tricycle Communications, a digital marketing agency in Tampa, has plans to double its size in the next five years. The company, which was founded in 1996 by two entrepreneurs, currently has 17 employees. Since its inception, Tricycle Communications has experienced success despite a sluggish economy.
 
“We attribute our success to our combination of solid marketing expertise, strong business ethics and savvy risk-taking, along with our knowledge of technology and its use to solve tough marketing challenges,” says Tona Bell, president and CEO of Tricycle Studios. “We see our clients, and they see us as long-term strategic marketing partners. Collaboration is key.”
 
Bell founded Tricycle Communications with her business partner, Randy Rosenthall. Both had a strong background and expertise in marketing. The company has found a niche in medical device and diagnostics, biotech and pharmaceutical industry, logging over 45 days in the field last year. The company has a network of OR trained and certified videographers and producers who can shoot HD videos in the operating room.
 
According to Bell, this unique specialty has helped the agency to grow to where it is today and will be the driving force behind further growth in the future. To support this growth Tricycle Studios will be hiring additional talent.
 
“At a minimum, we will probably be adding one to two people in the next year,” Bell says. “We could easily double in size in the next five years.”
 
Bell goes on to say that the company will be seeking individuals with expertise in account/content management, creative services and programmers.
 
Tricycle Studios is located in the Ybor City neighborhood of Tampa at 1905 E. Seventh Ave.
 
Writer: Kimberly Patterson
Source: Tona Bell, Tricycle Studios

Krista Hakes of the Pasco Economic Development Council (Pasco EDC) is one of six people in Florida to complete the Economic Gardening Certification offered through GrowFL.
 
Economic Gardening is part of a larger movement that takes an entrepreneurial approach to economic development through a model created by Chris Gibbons of Littleton, CO. The goal of economic gardening is to create jobs and improve the economy at the local level.
 
“Economic gardening helps second-stage companies with the challenges they face,” says Tammie Nemecek of GrowFL, which is the state’s branch of the larger economic gardening movement.

The certification program that Hakes completed is part of the National Center for Economic Gardening at the Edward Lowe Foundation, which follows the Chris Gibbons model. The certification enables Hakes to launch and administer a successful economic gardening program in Pasco that will help local entrepreneurs and small companies to grow their businesses.   

“The certification process involves online courses and webinars,” says Jessica Nelson, operations manager of the National Center for Economic Gardening at the Edward Lowe Foundation. “Overall the certification takes three weeks to complete.”
 
In addition to Hakes, the five other individuals in Florida who have completed the program include Paul Mitchell of the Volusia County Economic Development Council, Chelsea Jones-Finely of the Southern Florida Minority Supplier Development Council, Debrah Forester of the Charlotte County Economic Development Council, Mandy Hines of DeSoto County and Kara Palmer of the Economic Development Council of Tallahassee.
 
GrowFL has plans to certify more people in the future; those interested in becoming certified should contact Jessica Nelson at the National Center for Economic Gardening. Entrepreneurs seeking support for accelerating their business should contact their local economic development council or GrowFL.

Writer: Kimberly Patterson
Source: Tammie Nemecek, GrowFL, and Jessica Nelson, National Center for Economic Gardening at the Edward Lowe Foundation

Suncoast Community Capital (SCC) and the Urban Entrepreneur Partnership (UEP) are working together to offer personalized coaching to Sarasota and Manatee business owners. The UEP is part of the Kauffman Foundation, an organization dedicated to entrepreneurship. Individuals who qualify will receive one-on-one coaching from successful professionals with business expertise.

“The UEP approached us because it saw enormous untapped potential in Sarasota and Manatee counties, and it was impressed by what we have been able to do in supporting entrepreneurs in a short period of time,” says Mike Kennedy, president and CEO of Suncoast Community Capital. “Kauffman is the largest foundation in the world devoted to entrepreneurship, and we knew the UEP would be a wonderful partner to support entrepreneurs who want to quickly improve profitability and create jobs by offering personalized, one-to-one business coaching.”

In order to participate, eligible applicants must either have an idea for a business or be currently operating a for-profit or nonprofit business in either Sarasota or Manatee county.

“We simply are looking for ideas or companies of any type or size that have the potential to quickly increase profitability and create jobs as a result of the coaching,” he says. SCC and the UEP will assess that potential during the application and screening process.”

While approximately 48 entrepreneurs will be selected to receive training annually, only 12 applicants will be selected to receive the next round of coaching, which will begin mid-July.

Kennedy says that while his company is accepts applications year-round online, those interested in receiving coaching this summer need to apply by June 20.
 
Writer: Kimberly Patterson
Source: Mike Kennedy, Suncoast Community Capital

Just as many farmer’s markets in the Tampa Bay region close for the summer season, one local market is starting a unique twist on a traditional concept. The Bridge Street Merchants on Historic Bridge Street opened a night market in early June, and it will be open on select Saturday nights between now and the end of July.

“I was inspired to start a night market by my travels to other countries that have them,” says Melissa Enders, organizer of the night market. “I figured that with our hot summers in Florida, perhaps it would be fun to see how a night market would be.”

The market is hosted by the Bridge Street Merchants Association, which is a nonprofit group that was formed in 2006 by  merchants who were dedicated to promoting historic Bridge Street in Bradenton Beach.  The area also features a pier, boutiques and resorts. Enders says she hopes the night market will draw visitors of all ages, including children.

“I tried to make it very family and kid-oriented since school will be out soon,” Enders says. “We have yummy food and desserts along with some handmade crafts, miniature golf tournaments, puppet shows and craft tents for kids.”

For vendors interested in participating in the market, Enders says they are still accepting applications and should email her or call 215-906-0668.
 
The Bridge Street Merchants Night Market will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on June 16 and 30 and on July 14 and 28.
 
Writer: Kimberly Patterson
Source: Melissa Enders, Bridge Street Merchants Association

M-ize, a start-up tech firm in Temple Terrace, is hiring with plans to increase their headcount ten-fold by the end of 2013. The company, which was founded by Ashok Kartham, will be run out of a 6,000-square-foot office in Hidden River Parkway. Kartham, who in 2011 sold his previous business, 4CS, a warranty and service lifecycle management software company, is relocating to the Tampa Bay region for his new venture.

“I chose the Tampa Bay area as the headquarters because of the favorable business environment, access to technical talent and the weather,” says Kartham. “M-ize will start with a team of five employees, and I will hire 20 to 25 people over the next three to six months, then I expect the company to grow to over 50 people in the next 12 to 18 months.”

Kartham says M-ize is a platform for connected, social mobile consumers to manage the products they want and own. Through his mobile app consumers and companies can connect, and customers can access related information, advice and support from social networks or product companies. In the same way, product companies can reach, engage, support and service consumers.

Kartham is currently hiring software product managers, user interface designers, technical architects and programmers to develop the platform and software.

“I also plan to add to my executive team by adding a chief technology officer (CTO) and a chief marketing officer (CMO),” Kartham says. “I will also be adding sales positions in the coming months.”

Those interested in applying for M-ize are encouraged to visit either Dice or the Tampa Bay Technology Forum career center to view openings. Candidates can also email their resumes.

Writer: Kimberly Patterson                                      
Source: Ashok Kartham, M-ize

The annual coolTECH event hosted by the Tampa Bay Technology Forum (TBTF) in Tampa is scheduled for Friday, June 22. Every year the event showcases the latest in technology and innovations created locally.

"coolTECH is important to our region's technology community because it shines a spotlight on the innovations and technologies being developed right here in our own backyard that will change the way we live and work,'' says Kimberly Wander, events manager at TBTF. "It also gives us the opportunity to highlight the entrepreneurs in our community.''

Wander says there is a fresh lot of exhibitors at this year’s event, including a solar thermal powered air-conditioning and water pumping system, the only web-based family emergency notification system tied to the national 911 agency network and a keyless keyboard that enables individuals with special needs the ability to communicate.  Nearly 50 exhibitors will display their latest technological innovations.

In addition to the exhibits, coolTECH 2012 will also feature Dr. Kenneth Ford, founder and CEO of the Institute for Human & Machine Cognition (IHMC).

"Dr. Ford will be talking about human-centered computing, which is how human thought and action are inextricably linked to technology systems,'' Wander says. "Attendees will hear what the future will hold when computational systems are designed to amplify the human and machine components together in ways that exploit their strengths.''

Now in its fifth year, coolTECH will be held at the Tampa Convention Center on June 22 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sponsorship opportunities are still available, and tickets can be purchased online.

Writer: Kimberly Patterson
Source: Kimberly Wander, Tampa Bay Technology Forum

As the economy rebounds, the National Mail Order Association (NMOA) is promoting American-made products through a nationwide contest sponsored by the Tampa Bay Inventors Council and JoTo PR of Clearwater.

NMOA's Made in America Hot Product Contest started June 1, and is open to American manufacturers and inventors.
 
"I know there are thousands of inventors, craftsmen and smaller manufacturers all over the USA with fantastic products that never get any exposure beyond their local area,'' says John Schulte, president of the National Mail Order Association. "Our catalog members and other retailing merchant members are always looking for new products to sell, and many of these direct merchants are willing to work with small manufacturers on a single product basis. Not like a big box retailer that demands most people to cut prices and then go through a distributor.''
 
Once a manufacturer or inventor enters his or her product into the contest, anyone can vote online for the product they like best. Voters will rate the product on a five-star system, and can also provide feedback to the creator, including a perceived retail value.
 
“It’s a win-win all around; manufacturers get exposure, retailers find new products to sell and the American public gets to have fun, and learn about all the great stuff that’s made in America,” Schulte says. “The American public will be picking what they like and want by voting for their favorite products, and that will determine the winners.”

The contest has local ties in its sponsors, Clearwater-based firm JoTo PR and the Tampa Bay Inventors Council.

As for voters, there is incentive for them as well because they will be automatically entered into a drawing for prizes. Winners will be announced in February 2013.
 
Writer: Kimberly Patterson
Source: John Schulte, National Mail Order Association (NMOA)