Back @BuddyBrewCoffee again, this week’s #EDI2 webcast featured some new faces discussing availability of tech talent in Tampa Bay and other perception barriers to starting and growing tech companies.
This week’s Startup Tampa Bay participants included:
- Peter Radizesk – @RadInfo
- Tyler Pitchford – @TampaHackers
- Commissioner Mark Sharpe – @MarkSharpeFL
- Heather Kenyon – @TheTBTF
- Fritz Eichelberger – @Fritz_Hostspaces
This conversation hit on some important points regarding the development of Tampa’s startup tech ecosystem with our native talent being our #1 asset. But when the topic turned to existing tech companies, the panel makes the all too common mistake of highlighting local services companies such as Tech Data, TriBridge and Jabil rather than dealing with the fact that Tampa is not know for tech products. Unless we tackle that issue and start tracking some more meaningful economic development metrics, we will be supporting the illusion of success rather than actually making an investment in changing our economic DNA.
