This EDA investment funds the tampa BAY cybersecurity/fintech and healthtech accelerator + innovation network (TB cfhain) project

The Tampa Bay Wave Inc. was awarded an $8,274,640 Project Grant from the Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration under the BUILD TO SCALE federal grant program (CFDA #11.024) to fund the Tampa Bay Cybersecurity/FinTech and HealthTech Accelerator + Innovation Network (TB CFHAIN) project. The project aims to support the creation of 180 new high-growth startups and retention of 2,730 jobs through nine 90-day accelerator cohorts tailored for the cybersecurity, finance, and healthcare industries. Tampa Bay Wave will expand its programming and leverage its network of 150+ mentors and 400+ investors to support accelerator alumni and local tech startups. The project will also greatly expand investor outreach, launch an investor portal, and increase support for SBIR/STTR programs. Completion is expected by October 2025.

Tampa BAY wave has partnered with the university of south florida and other private and public sector entities to launch this project with a goal to create industry-driven innovation clusters in cybersecurity, finance, and healthcare. TB cfhain will expand wave's programming by running nine (9) 90-day accelerator cohorts specifically tailored for these industry verticals, supporting 180 new high-growth potential startups and fostering the creation and retention of 2,730 jobs. The project will also utilize wave's 150+mentor and 400+ investor networks to support both accelerator alumni and local tech startups. TB cfhain will also greatly expand investor outreach, launch an investor portal, and increase the region's capacity for sbir/sttr support. Once completed, the project will foster a stronger innovation ecosystem with increased startup density, greater global competitiveness, and local high-wage job creation. By addressing the region's lack of industry-focused innovation clusters and early-stage capital gaps, the program will help tampa BAY develop a more diversified and more resilient regional economy and become a major hub for technology talent and innovation.