Pinellas County Economic Development’s Post

Did you know that YETI solves problems for companies in Dresden? 💡 After the scholarship holders have learned the design thinking framework in the first semester, they consolidate what they have learned in the following semester. YETI's industrial partners change regularly, as does the size of the companies, which range from Dresden startups like "Was hab ich?" to large corporations like "Zeiss". These companies pass on their practical problems to teams of 3-5 YETIs, who then develop an #innovative solution in the second semester, always in close cooperation with the partner. Here, too, the YETIs have the opportunity to present their results at the Demo Day at the end of the semester and, if they choose, to continue as a #startup. In this way, design thinking is further solidified and new experience can be gained with partner companies. 🚀

Announcing the WINNER of e x e c o m's $5,000 StartUp Score contest from Inventures 2024, huge congratulation to SpectraCann! We had the honor of evaluating dozens of entrants, and there were a lot of exceptional startups in the running, but SpectraCann's novel breathalyzer technology for detecting THC stood out with a StartUp Score of 36. They have breakthrough technology that addresses a massive, and growing, global market opportunity. A bit of reference on our scoring metrics; <10 Probably not a good fit for outside investment, difficult concept to bring to market. 10-20 Good concept, but execution will need to be outstanding to get much traction. 20+ Excellent concept (top 1% of all startups we've scored), decent odds of attracting outside investment (remember, VCs only invest in ~1% of the companies they see). 50+ Exceptional (top 0.01% of all businesses), investors will probably compete to fund it, once in a lifetime opportunity 100+ One in a million to once-in-a-generation opportunity. For more information on how we calculate a StartUp Score please message me or comment "calculate" below. Congratulations again to the entire team at SpectraCann, and a big thank you to everyone who participated in the contest!

Then vs. Now: How Science Startups Have Evolved! 🌍💡 From solo research to global collaboration, science startups have transformed the way they operate, ideate, and impact society! This carousel highlights the incredible evolution of science-based entrepreneurship, from the ideation phase to societal impact. Swipe to discover how technology and innovation have shaped today's startup landscape, making growth more accessible and impactful than ever. #InnovateWithScience #Startup2Launch #ScienceStartups #EntrepreneurshipEvolution #InnovationJourney

Big win for Minnesota innovation! The U of M launched 25 startups in fiscal 2024, breaking its record for the fourth year in a row. What’s even more impressive is that 88% of these startups are staying right here in Minnesota, fueling our local innovation economy. Initiatives like 'Discover, Advance, Impact' are proving what’s possible when we prioritize talent, tech, and teamwork. How we can scale efforts like this? What role do you think regional startups play in shaping the future of tech? #Minnesota #Innovation #startups https://lnkd.in/gHdN5eff 

Can U.S. startups improve their chances of success by moving to a tech hub? A recent paper suggests the answer is often yes, but certain locales offer bigger benefits than others. Silicon Valley, in particular, is the best destination for startup companies because it has what the paper calls an “entrepreneurial ecosystem”—that is, an extensive network of organizations from venture-capital firms to other startups that help foster new ideas and innovation. Specifically, the study found that startups increase their odds of achieving equity growth via an initial public offering or an acquisition by 277% by moving to Silicon Valley versus remaining at home. Such a move also boosts their probability of getting venture financing by around 218%, and receiving a patent by 60%, according to Jorge Guzman, an associate professor at Columbia Business School and the paper’s author. Other hubs While moving to other tech hubs, such as Denver, Los Angeles, Boston and New York, also benefits startups to varying degrees, the benefits in most cases aren’t as big as those conveyed by moving to Silicon Valley, the paper found. “Silicon Valley simply has the highest level ecosystem under any measure—venture capital, patenting and startup formation,” says Guzman. Guzman analyzed 405,536 …

Four tech startups from the Western Balkans are selected to travel to Arizona – the US Department of State "GIST Innovates the Balkans". Powered by the 🇺🇸 US Department of State’s “GIST Innovates the Balkans 2024”, took place in Skopje/Shkup with eleven (11) ICT companies from the Western Balkans, under the facilitation of the Arizona State University team, led by prof. Visar Berisha. Here is the full list of founders and entrepreneurs from the Wester Balkans, who will travel to the US, this November, for the ASU Venture Devils Day: Jakimovska, Ana | Galenic Labs | North Macedonia Milenkovic, Lazar | Hektar | Serbia Milenkovic, Mihajlo | Hektar | Serbia Kadiu, Bardh | KidsDay | Kosovo Kastrati, Getoar | KidsDay | Kosovo Ristovska, Natali | YOVA | North Macedonia We congratulate and all the winners, and wish them all the best during their stay in Arizona. GIST Innovates The Balkans is a ten-week pre-accelerator training program modeled after the Lean Startup methodology. The program will provide innovators with the training, mentoring, and resources they need to build their entrepreneurial skills and bring their ideas to market. The program provides opportunities for teams to connect with mentors in the US and provide opportunities to interact with U.S.-based investors and companies. Ana Jakimovska, Lazar Milenkovic, Mihajlo Milenkovic, Bardh Kadiu, Getoar Kastrati, Natali Ristovska.

Peak XV Partners Announces 14 Startups for Surge 10 Cohort! Peak XV Partners has just unveiled the 14 innovative startups selected for its 10th cohort of Surge, the rapid scale-up program for early-stage companies! This cohort features startups across various sectors, including tech, healthcare, AI, and more. Notable names include Amaani, the first startup from the Middle East to be part of Surge, along with Auquan, Clout Kitchen, Dezy (Smiles.ai) - Dental, made easy., Dubbing AI, OrbitShift.AI, Parseable, SalarySe, Tailcall, The Health Factory, Wobot AI, and one stealth company. Each startup will receive up to $3M in seed funding and access to a wealth of resources and mentorship to scale and grow. The program runs from October 2024 to February 2025 and includes a mix of in-person and virtual sessions to help founders refine their products, brands, and sales strategies. Excited to see these promising startups take the next step in their journey! Read More: https://lnkd.in/gd9W28RV #Startups #VC #Entrepreneurship #Surge10 #PeakXV #Innovation #SeedFunding #TechStartups #BusinessNews

"Empowering Innovation Through Judging: A Judge’s Perspective on the SILLAG Startup Summit and Hackathon" "As a judge in the pitching competition of the SILLAG Startup Summit and Hackathon, I was inspired by the creativity and determination of the participants. It was an honor to evaluate ideas that have the potential to drive innovation and create impactful solutions within our community and beyond. Each pitch reflected the hard work and ingenuity of aspiring entrepreneurs, showcasing not only their innovative concepts but also their resilience in addressing real-world challenges. The summit was a platform where ideas were not just heard but nurtured—fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration among participants, mentors, and stakeholders. Being part of this event reaffirmed my belief in the importance of supporting startups and emerging talents. As judges, our role went beyond evaluating proposals; we also provided constructive feedback, empowering participants to refine their visions and strategies for future success. The SILLAG Startup Summit and Hackathon is more than just a competition; it is a celebration of creativity and entrepreneurial spirit. I look forward to seeing these promising ideas evolve into impactful ventures that will make a difference in our society." This experience has not only enriched me professionally but also personally, as it underscores the significance of fostering innovation and providing a platform for change-makers to shine."

Submissions to the 8th Annual Coller Startup Competition are Open Great to join the amazing Coller Startup Competition judging panel again! a powerful platform that brings so many people from around the ecosystem. SUBMISSIONS for your Start-Up to The 8th Annual Startup Competition are open till May 16th! You can submit it today and update it by mid-May.   The Coller Startup Competition’s goal is to encourage TAU students and alumni to engage in entrepreneurial venturing and launch great startups. Winners of previous competitions have gained recognition, support, and more than $M’s of dollars in follow-up investments. Regardless of winning the competition, this is your chance to get noticed, have your venture reviewed by top experts, and more. The competition is divided into three tracks – Deeptech, Onlinetech, & Foodtech – each track offering winners a substantial cash prize of $100,000 SAFE investment, along with invaluable global exposure and connections within the investment world. We look forward to learning about your amazing venture and meeting you and your team. https://lnkd.in/dsFa7JKK Begin your entrepreneurial journey today! #collercompetition

#trending #ai #agents #future #innovation #global #brands #investment #portfolio #asset #management #fasttrack #3D #manufacturing #trending #scotland #logistics #forktruck #asset What does Agentic really mean? Albert Bundura who published the Social Cognitive Theory: An Agentic Perspective describes agentic people as self-organising, proactive, self-reflective and self-regulating as times change.