About Us
We Are Tampa
Bay Wave
What started as a meetup in 2008 has evolved into Florida’s #1 Accelerator and tech startup support organization. We are a “for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs” innovation community working to build a stronger and broader tech startup ecosystem in Tampa Bay and across Florida.
Our Mission
We help entrepreneurs transform innovative ideas into real-world solutions and scalable businesses, fueling important social and economic change in Tampa Bay and elsewhere.
Our Framework
The framework used in our nationally recognized accelerator programs helps startups through each milestone along their journey to success.
Build
We help early-stage, pre-revenue startups transform concepts into tangible market-ready products
Launch
After developing and iterating a product, we help startups launch and start earning revenue.
Grow
Tampa Bay Wave’s programs, tools, and resources help our tech startups reach their full potential
Core Values
Founder Focused
We are passionate about startups and focus on founders.
Community
We are fueled by community connections.
Integrity
We act with integrity.
Excellence
We have audacious goals and make a big impact.
Board of Directors
Penny Parks
Board Chair
Linda Olson
President/CEO
Elizabeth Urbanski
Secretary
Catherine Wilhelm
Treasurer
Santo Cannoe
Immediate Past Chair
Kailah Matyas
Program Strategy Committee Co-Chair
Lew Jolly
Program Strategy Committee Co-Chair
Rob Brown
Fundraising Committee Co-Chair
Andrew Smith
Fundraising Committee Co-Chair
Amanda Milligan
Governance and Ethics Committee Co-Chair
Tom Cockriel
Governance and Ethics Committee Co-Chair
Nick Outman
Seed Fund Committee Chair
Shane Needham
Branding and Strategic Communications Committee Co-Chair
Cathy Ryan Reneer
Branding and Strategic Communications Committee Co-Chair
Petar Besalev
Jennifer Bryk
Jose Fourquet
Taylor Johnston
Brian Model
Jack Murray IV
Miraj Patel
Greg Pierce
Kathleen Shanahan
Lauren Weiner
Aaron White
Meet Our Team
Linda Olson
President/CEO
Richard Munassi MD, MBA
Managing Director - Accelerator
Demelza Genest
Chief Operations Officer
Dee Garcia
Director - Development & Strategic Partnerships
Amit Agrawal
Director - Investor Relations & Platform Operations
Jonathan Truong
Senior Manager - National Programs & Partnerships
Mike Lynn
Manager - Venture Center Operations
Prathyusha Pappi Reddy
Senior Associate
Matt Ymiolek
Investor Relations Associate
Gregory Pierce
Accelerator Associate
Laura Davenport
Marketing Associate
