AI Platform Turns Decision Intelligence into Impact in Pinellas County

MADTECH.AI of Pinellas County

When Bill Lederer launched MADTECH.AI in downtown St. Petersburg, he had a vision to bring advanced decision intelligence tools to organizations working to make a difference in the world. What started as an idea backed by experience, passion, and a commitment to mission-driven organizations has grown into an emerging technology company serving nonprofits and other purpose-focused institutions.

Along the way, the Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Pinellas County Economic Development (PCED) has played a critical role in helping the company move from concept to growth.

Founded by Lederer, a veteran entrepreneur who has led seven startups and three public company divisions, MADTECH.AI specializes in what he describes as “decision intelligence for good.” The company helps nonprofits and mission-based organizations make smarter, faster decisions by leveraging artificial intelligence and data-driven insights.

“We help nonprofit and other mission-based organizations solve a whole variety of challenges, focusing on the need to know as opposed to the nice to know,” Lederer said.

The concept for the company was rooted in Lederer’s extensive experience building AI-powered decision science solutions in the private sector. Having spent years supporting nonprofit organizations as a donor and board member, he saw an opportunity to apply those same capabilities to organizations often operating with limited resources.

“We chose to launch MADTECH.AI because we spent a lot of years building capabilities around decision sciences and AI-based decision intelligence,” Lederer said. “This is an opportunity to bring what we’ve learned to do in the for-profit world for the benefit of nonprofits.”

MADTECH.AI’s growth story began in a Pinellas County-supported accelerator program housed at ARK Innovation Center in downtown St. Petersburg. At the time, the company was little more than a business concept supported by presentations, spreadsheets and ambition.

“We came through a B2B SaaS accelerator program literally from PowerPoint and Excel and a lot of dreams and vision and formulated our business,” Lederer said.

Through every stage of development, Lederer said Florida SBDC at PCED business consultant Kurt provided guidance, strategic counseling and connections that helped turn the idea into a viable business.

“Kurt’s been a great resource in many, many ways,” Lederer said. “The organization has been there every step along the way from the formation all the way through getting us started, helping get us funded.”

That support has translated into tangible results. Since its launch, MadTech.AI has grown from a one-person operation to a team of six employees. The company has also participated in several business competitions, earning recognition and valuable exposure within the entrepreneurial community.

One significant milestone came when the company competed in an Amazon Web Services (AWS) pitch competition. MADTECH.AI advanced to the finals and ultimately won, securing a $50,000 award that helped accelerate growth.

“The SBDC helped us with AWS and a pitch competition in which we were fortunate to be a finalist and then won that competition, which resulted in $50,000,” Lederer said.

Beyond funding opportunities, Lederer credits Florida SBDC at PCED with helping raise the company’s profile and connect it to resources that might otherwise have been difficult to access.

“I think it’s helped to validate us, increase our awareness in the community and made available some good counseling and people that we wouldn’t have known otherwise,” he said. “Literally, they’ve been there every step of the way.”

The impact of that support became especially clear when the company encountered a challenge involving an SBA loan program. Lederer described the situation as potentially threatening to the future of the business and said Florida SBDC at PCED helped navigate a complex government process to find a solution.

“In all truth, without Kurt’s involvement, we would not be able to be the company that we are,” Lederer said. “We were able to have a human being help us find another human being within the government apparatus and get resolution on a problem that was really existential for us as a company.”

Today, MADTECH.AI continues to expand its reach while helping organizations use artificial intelligence to improve outcomes and maximize impact. Lederer expects the company will continue hiring in both technical and business roles as it grows and believes the Florida SBDC at PCED will remain an important partner in that journey.

“I consider the SBDC of Pinellas County a core member of the team,” Lederer said. “It has been, will continue to be, and I’m hopeful that the success we’re having will be a model for others.”

For entrepreneurs considering whether to seek assistance from the Florida SBDC at PCED, Lederer’s message is straightforward.

“Stop thinking about it. Do it,” he said. “We all need help, and sometimes we don’t even know that we need that help. This is an unbelievably high-ROI opportunity where the price is right, and there are all different kinds of skills to meet you where you are and help you on your way.”

He also believes Pinellas County offers an exceptional environment for startups looking to grow. “This is a great place to be an entrepreneur,” Lederer said. “The resources exist, and there are people here that want to help.”