TECH IS TRENDING IN TAMPA BAY

The Tampa Bay area has exploded over the last few years, but why?

Is it Tom Brady and the Buccaneers? Maybe back-to-back Stanley Cup Champs, The Tampa Bay Lightning? Or perhaps it’s because of our warm climate and beautiful beaches?

While these are certainly contributing factors to Tampa’s increasingly popular reputation, they aren’t the main drivers behind the increased fluctuation to our city.

So, why is Tampa growing at an all-time high rate? The answer is simple: Tech is Trending in Tampa Bay.

Tampa Named Top Spot for Tech

The Tampa Bay area has seen significant growth in its tech sector over the past few years, with a number of startups and established companies choosing to set up shop in the area.

In 2021, Tampa topped Forbes’ list of emerging tech cities, ahead of even New York and San Francisco, the home of Silicon Valley. That same year, Global Commercial Real Estate Services’ (CBRE) Tech Talent report listed Tampa in the ninth spot for tech talent growth over a five-year span from 2016-2020 across U.S Markets. 

Additionally, it noted Tampa as one of only nine U.S markets to have a positive “brain gain”, highlighting Tampa as a crucial source of tech jobs for workers who could not find employment in their metro of origin. 

 “It hasn’t happened overnight. Tampa has always had the ingredients for a robust technology scene; it’s just taken a while for it all to come together, and it has,” says Jody Haneke, CEO of Haneke Design.

Cybersecurity is on the Rise

One of the most notable trends in Tampa Bay tech is the rise of the cybersecurity industry– the city has become a hub for cybersecurity firms. 

A number of companies are focusing on providing cybersecurity solutions to businesses and individuals alike. 

Companies—like our client Palo Alto—offer a range of services from consulting and risk assessment to incident response and threat intelligence.

Health-Tech Continues to Grow

Another sector that has seen tremendous growth in Tampa Bay is the Health Tech, or Healthcare Technology, industry. 

Native to the area are a number of major hospitals and healthcare providers, including Tampa General Hospital and our client, BayCare Health System, which provide a fertile ground for healthcare technology innovation. 

Haneke Design has had a hand in working with some of these leading healthcare systems in the area, providing organizations with innovative solutions to improve patient care and streamline healthcare operations. 

Fintech is Gaining Ground

The Fintech, or Financial Technology, sector is yet another area that is booming in Tampa Bay. 

With both the financial and professional service industries seeing so much recent growth in our city, it’s fitting that Fintech companies are laying roots here. 

In 2020, the Tampa Bay area had over 115,300 individuals employed in a key tech or financial role, and it’s continuing to gain attention as a top area for the industry. 

From start-up organizations, like our clients SKUx and Florida Funders, who are establishing headquarters here while they pave the way for future innovation, to more established global organizations, like Citi, DTTC and JPMorgan Chase, who are expanding some of their largest campuses into new areas, Tampa is at the forefront of it all. 

Tampa Bay’s technology industry is thriving with a range of trends and opportunities for entrepreneurs and established companies.

The city’s supportive business environment, strong talent pool, and favorable tax environment make it an attractive location for tech companies looking to grow and innovate and talented professionals looking to elevate their careers.

As the technology industry continues to evolve, Tampa Bay is well positioned to remain at the forefront of this exciting, rapidly changing industry.