Meet the BEAT 2019 Panelists!

Join us at our 7th Annual BEAT

November 20, 2019 | 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM

We're excited to announce our theme this year is "Diversity and Inclusion in Entrepreneurship!" We are excited to share new developments in our program, and hope you can join us for a dynamic day of networking and programming alongside Tampa Bay's community of entrepreneurs!

Building Entrepreneurship Around Tampa Bay (BEAT) on November 20, 2019, is an all-day annual event that celebrates the entrepreneurial ecosystem through a showcase of innovative start-ups, dynamic speakers, and opportunities to pitch for capital. Last year's event comprised an audience of over 200 attendees including local start-ups, business leaders, investors, entrepreneurial support organizations, community dignitaries, and media outlets. Learn More

Meet Our Panelists

We are pleased to announce the esteemed panelists who will be featured at BEAT. Our panelists bring a diverse business background and entrepreneurial expertise to help inspire, educate, and assist startups.

Diversity in Entrepreneurship
9:15 AM

This panel will examine the various ways the Tampa Bay area is minimizing barriers and obstacles for entrepreneurs by maximizing inclusion. We will be exploring the obstacles entrepreneurs from under-served populations may face and discovering solutions.

Yanina Rosario - Associate Director, Florida SBDC at USF Muma College of Business

Avril Stinson - Director, Minority Business Accelerator & Economic Inclusion, Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce

James Faison - Co-Founder,
The Mainframe Inc.

Simi Chaddha Ranajee, Ph.D., MBA -
Founder and CEO, IMISCO

Pitch Competition

We have two pitch competitions: Student Pitch Competition for students currently active in a university incubator, and a Community Pitch Competition for startups with an established high-tech, bio-life science, biotech, engineering, urban tech, IT or similar startup are encouraged to apply. The pitch competitions provide entrepreneurs with the opportunity to pitch their companies to venture capitalists and other investors. These competitions feature two rounds: a preliminary round and a final round. In the preliminary round, selected companies deliver a closed-door pitch for a spot in the Top Three. In the final round, companies will pitch before a panel of investors, capitalists, and B.E.A.T. attendees.

For the Community Competition:

For the Student Pitch Competition:

Click Here

Keynote Speaker
Dr. Byron C. Clayton

Entrepreneurs of all sizes and types influence almost every aspect of how we live. Where would we be without small business entrepreneurs who invigorate and grow our communities, or disruptive technology innovators who change our lives?
Dr. Clayton will be presenting on how to leverage your entrepreneurial drive to shape the future for your family, community and beyond.