About Us
About Us
Our History
When we started Tampa Bay Wave in 2008, we were motivated to build a community-driven nonprofit organization that supports the success of Tampa Bay’s tech entrepreneurs and the innovative businesses they are building. What started as a peer group for local entrepreneurs is now a leading tech accelerator in Tampa Bay that supports over 150 tech startups and 250 entrepreneurs. We are driven by our mission to help Tampa Bay’s tech entrepreneurs build the future of technology in Tampa Bay and in the world.

Our Mission
WE HELP ENTREPRENEURS BUILD, LAUNCH, AND GROW BREAKOUT TECH BUSINESSES IN TAMPA BAY.
Building a Better Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay Wave’s mission over the next 5 years is to help at least 50 tech startups develop into successful “fundable” ventures (go from BUILD to LAUNCH) and at least 5 tech startups reach the path to break-out success (go from LAUNCH to GROW).
Our Framework
Tampa Bay Wave’s nationally recognized accelerator program empowers tech entrepreneurs to build, launch, and grow their businesses into successful ventures.

Build
We help early stage, pre-revenue startups turn their innovative ideas into tangible products.
- Product Development
- Product/Market Validation
Capital Opportunities
- Seed Fund
- Personal Savings

LAUNCH
After developing and iterating on your product, Tampa Bay Wave helps its tech startups scale to start earning revenue.
- Scalable Business Validation
Sources of Capital
- Angel Investors

Grow
Tampa Bay Wave’s programs, tools, and resources help our tech startups reach their full potential.
- Business Building
- High Growth
Sources of Capital
- Institutional
- Venture Capital
STAFF

Linda Olson
President/CEO

Rich Heruska
Accelerator Program Director

Dr. Richard Munassi
TechDiversity & Build Cohort Director

Allen Clary
Investor Relations Director

Margot Pinheiro
Executive Administrator

Basha Ferdinand
Accelerator Program Manager

Lerah Harris
Marketing Manager
ENTREPRENEURS IN RESIDENCE

Lance Raab
Entrepreneur in Residence

Steven Fiske
Entrepreneur in Residence

Kostas Stoilas
Entrepreneur in Residence

Robyn Spoto
Entrepreneur in Residence

Dr. Richard Munassi
Entrepreneur in Residence

Jeff Goble
Entrepreneur in Residence

Santo Cannone
Entrepreneur in Residence
BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Alex Sink
Chair

Linda Olson
President

Lance Raab
Secretary

Anita Camacho
Treasurer

Alfred Goldberg
Immediate Past Chair

Charlotte Baker

Doug Blitzer

Nelson Castellano

Brian Deming

David Eason

David Etheredge

Jim Gossett

Joe Hodges

Lindsey Kimball

Kailah Matyas

Travis Milks

Shane Needham

Chuck Papageorgiou

Kostas Stoilas

Gerwai Todd

Marty Traber