startups need
champions like you
You see the potential in Florida's innovation story. We connect you with the founders, insights, and opportunities that make the region a fast-growing startup hub—and a place we’re proud to call home.
Florida’s startup wins don’t happen by accident.
It's lawyers attending founder demo nights. It's local professionals helping startups find their next customer. It's city council members sharing success stories on LinkedIn that position Florida as a rising innovation hub.
This isn't networking for networking's sake. It's an entire region coming together to support local innovation. And you can be part of the story, too.
local innovators, you
amplify your impact
Supporting local startups puts Florida on the map as a serious innovation hub. When you back rising entrepreneurs, you build your influence as a leader shaping our region's future.
Stay ahead of the curve
Get early insights into emerging companies, new technologies, and market opportunities before they become widely known.
Build your reputation
Establish yourself as a forward-thinking leader who shapes Florida’s innovation future—a position that opens doors and creates new opportunities.
Expand your circle
Connect with innovative entrepreneurs, fellow professionals, and rising business leaders who are building the future right here in Florida.
Whether you thrive at networking events or prefer connecting people behind the scenes, there's a path that matches how you naturally like to engage.
Attend or sponsor events
Sponsor or attend founder showcases, demo nights, and networking events where you'll meet the entrepreneurs building tomorrow's solutions.
Sponsor events
Join the Young Professionals Board
Connect with rising professionals who are building their careers while championing the region's most promising founders.
Learn about the YPB
Donate to the Collective
Help maintain the accessible pricing that gives Florida's most driven entrepreneurs the strategic support they need to create jobs and drive regional growth.
Support the Collective
Stay connected to the community
Get weekly updates on Florida’s startup scene, emerging opportunities and the founder stories worth sharing.
Join the Weekly Collective
“Embarc Collective’s Young Professionals Board opened doors into Florida’s startup ecosystem that would have otherwise been closed. I’ve built connections with founders, made longtime friends, and gained access to incredible ecosystem events, all while helping to shape how the Board adds tangible value to emerging companies.”
Co-Founder, Cooth
“Being part of the Young Professionals Board at Embarc Collective has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. Over the past three years, I’ve seen firsthand how this community creates opportunities for connection, collaboration, and growth, not only for founders, but for everyone who believes in strengthening Tampa Bay’s innovation ecosystem.”
VP of Revenue & Marketing, Lumina AI
“Serving on the Young Professionals Board has been an incredible experience. I've had the opportunity to participate in thought leadership for the organization, collaborate with founders and fellow professionals, and even partner on presentations, all while contributing to the growth of Tampa Bay's startup ecosystem. I am incredibly grateful to be part of such an amazing group.”
Venture, M&A and Business Transactions Attorney (Shareholder), Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC
“Serving on the Young Professionals Board launched me into the world of startups and venture capital. It was truly rewarding to accomplish multiple goals in parallel: driving value to our community's entrepreneurial nucleus, building my personal brand, and building friendships that will last for years to come. Whether you're an industry veteran or just launching your career, I encourage you to apply!”
Private Banker, JP Morgan
Your support drives
results you can see.
And measure.
From attending events to sharing stories to making connections, your support fuels real transformation. Here's the measurable difference your involvement makes.
Global ranking
for Florida’s startup ecosystem among emerging innovation hubs
Capital raised
by local companies building solutions right here in Florida
Companies growing after 5 years
when founders have community support and resources
High-paying jobs created
for Florida residents by thriving startups
Stay connected to Florida’s
startup scene
From market intelligence to must-attend events to milestone moments, stay up to date on the stories that make Florida a region to watch
Sales & Marketing Alignment with Rissa Redan and Laura Baker
At a recent Embarc Collective session, members joined a fireside chat with two accomplished growth leaders: Rissa Reddan, 3x CMO and growth-stage strategist at Embarc Collective, & Laura Baker, founder of Vista Growth Solutions with experience as a CEO & CRO. Together, they explored the creative tension, strategic alignment, and cross-functional collaboration required to scale customer […]
Read More
Strengthening Our Foundation: Welcoming Three Exceptional Leaders to the Embarc Collective Board
We’re thrilled to announce that Embarc Collective is deepening its roots in the Tampa Bay community with the addition of three outstanding leaders to our Board of Directors: Drew Weatherford of Weatherford Capital, Dr. Rhea Law, President of the University of South Florida, and Kim Hill, Chief of Staff at ReliaQuest. These strategic additions reflect […]
Read More
Building Success in Uncharted Territory: Leadership Lessons from Christina Unkel
In a recent Embarc Collective Builder Series, Tampa Bay Sun FC's Christina Unkel shares actionable leadership lessons from building a professional sports franchise from scratch, including strategies for rapid team scaling, purpose-driven hiring, and redefining work-life balance.
Read More
building Florida’s future.
Access the events, resources, and connections you need to add real value to rising startups and help establish Florida as a premier startup destination.