Archive for category: Featured Success Stories

HighTide Intelligence of Polk County

When Adrian Santiago Tate left Stanford University in 2020 to launch a flood risk technology company, the journey back to Florida was anything but smooth. His aging Subaru broke down multiple times during a cross-country drive in the early days of the pandemic, and he arrived at his mother’s home with little more than an ambitious vision and determination to make it work.

Today, that vision has become HighTide, a Florida-based flood risk data company helping communities, governments and organizations better understand and prepare for rising flood threats. Founded by Adrian Santiago Tate and Noah Dewar, HighTide combines advanced geospatial technology and data science to help decision-makers manage flood risk. The company’s mission is straightforward but significant. “Our mission is to accelerate flood adaptation with data-driven technology,” Dewar said.

The company was born from a desire to help communities confront one of the world’s most pressing challenges. “Flooding is one of the biggest problems that the world will face in the coming decades,” Santiago Tate said. “Millions of people around the world are going to have to grapple with that and make tough decisions. We’re trying to make the data that they need to make those decisions readily available so that they can not lose everything to a flood.”

The company’s commitment to public access led to the development of Arkly, a platform that makes flood-related data available online at no cost.

For Dewar, solving complex challenges is what drives the business. “I just really love to solve hard problems, and flooding at scale is one of the hardest problems there is,” he said. “We don’t just want to solve a problem and make money. We want to do something that matters.”

As the company began exploring growth opportunities, the founders turned to the Florida SBDC at USF for guidance, where they connected with International Trade Specialist, Selma Canas.

“We reached out to Florida SBDC at USF at first to get help with procurement in other markets, which is the main question mark that I had,” Santiago Tate said. “Then beyond that, we learned about the grant that was available for businesses to begin exploring exporting and also received the export marketing plan, which gave us some pretty insightful information about the market that we were interested in.”

Through assistance from the Florida SBDC at USF and support from the State Trade Expansion Program, or STEP grant, HighTide began laying the groundwork for international expansion.

Santiago Tate used the STEP grant to travel to Bogotá, Colombia, where he presented at the AmeriGeo conference and connected with government officials, academics and infrastructure professionals from across South America. “Thanks to this grant, we started that process, and we’ve connected with a lot of folks, and we’re well underway,” he said.

The international focus aligns closely with the company’s mission. While Florida remains HighTide’s largest market, the founders see opportunities to address flood-related challenges in regions where communities often lack access to sophisticated planning tools.

“South America has a huge number of people who are exposed to flooding, and they don’t necessarily have the resources to develop solutions for this themselves,” Dewar said. “We’re able to do this because we are mission-driven.”

The founders credit Florida as an ideal proving ground for their technology.

“Florida is the place where we’re dealing with a lot of these issues for the first time,” Santiago Tate said. “We’ve been on the ground through that process from early on and have built our software around making that entire process very scalable, so we can then take it to Georgia, to South Carolina, we can take it to Colombia. Really, anywhere in the world could benefit from the problems that we’re solving here in Florida.”

The company’s growth has already produced significant milestones. HighTide is currently working for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to modernize how the state manages critical environmental asset data.

“It’s contracting with the state to help them clean up and really bring into the twenty-first century the process of managing critical asset data in Florida,” Dewar said.

The company is also collaborating with researchers at Stanford University on a project funded through the university’s Sustainability Accelerator that examines how satellite-derived land movement data can be integrated into flood risk management workflows.

Reflecting on the support he received, Santiago Tate says one of the greatest benefits of working with the Florida SBDC at USF was access to knowledgeable consultants.

“I honestly felt that I had just left Stanford. I know everything,” Santiago Tate said with a laugh. “Then all of a sudden I’m very lost. I actually don’t know anything about government procurement. Knowing that there’s a resource there where there are people that actually really know their stuff, and that all the advice I’ve gotten so far has been on point, that’s extremely helpful.”

For entrepreneurs considering seeking assistance, both founders have a simple message. “It’s a great resource that should be utilized,” Santiago Tate said.

“When you’re starting something, you can very quickly get lost,” Dewar said. “The Florida SBDC at USF is very good for this because there are people who can answer your questions, but they can also help you understand what questions you should be asking.”

For HighTide, those answers have helped transform a startup born during a global pandemic into a growing Florida company with ambitions that reach far beyond state lines.

C&B Wellness Studio & Café Inc. of Polk County

What started as an idea inspired by the desire to help women prioritize themselves has become a reality for Ashley Miller, founder of C&B Wellness Studio & Cafe, a new wellness-focused business in downtown Haines City.

Created as a welcoming environment where women can focus on both physical and mental well-being, C&B Wellness Studio & Cafe offers a variety of fitness and wellness services designed to help women recharge amid the demands of everyday life.

“So as women, we’re mothers, we’re wives, we’re sisters, we’re friends, and while we’re pouring into everyone, we’re not pouring enough into ourselves,” Miller said. “I wanted to create a safe space where they can work on not just their wellness, but their mental health. This is a safe space from their home that they can come to and just really relax.”

The studio features Pilates reformer classes, mat Pilates, yoga, Zumba and twerk fitness. In addition to its fitness offerings, the business includes a cafe component that will serve coffee, protein shakes and other beverages.

As Miller transitioned from corporate America to entrepreneurship, she found guidance and support through the Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at the University of South Florida.

Working with Florida SBDC at USF business consultant Randy Hayes, Miller received assistance navigating every stage of the startup process, from establishing the business structure to developing a plan for growth.

“Florida SBDC at USF has been phenomenal,” Miller said. “Randy Hayes really guided me through this whole transition of leaving corporate and becoming a business owner. He was able to provide me with tools and resources I did not know were out there. It was a lot of handholding, and I was appreciative of the time that he took out for me.”

Hayes helped Miller formalize her business concept, register the company and secure the necessary business credentials. During that process, he also encouraged her to define the story behind the business.

Miller explained that the name C&B Wellness reflects a personal legacy. “C and B are the last names of my two boys, Clark and Blanc,” she said. “I wanted something that can be a legacy impact that has my boys’ last name.”

Beyond helping establish the business, Hayes connected Miller with resources that proved critical to launching the studio, including referrals to a commercial realtor who helped her secure a 2,000-square-foot location in downtown Haines City.

Once the location was secured, Hayes worked with Miller to develop financial projections, discuss operational goals and prepare for opening day. “He asked me a lot of hard questions, but he made me feel very comfortable when he asked those questions,” Miller said. “It really guided me and let me know exactly what it is to be a business owner.”

Throughout the process, Miller also received assistance with opening a business bank account, connecting with local networking opportunities and identifying contractors needed to complete the buildout. Most recently, Hayes has helped Miller navigate licensing requirements for the cafe portion of the business.

For Miller, successfully launching C&B Wellness Studio & Cafe is already a major accomplishment. Like many first-time entrepreneurs, she faced uncertainty as she invested personal savings and worked to transform her vision into a sustainable business.

“My biggest success so far is just really getting C&B off the ground,” she said. “As a small business owner, you’re frightened with what’s to come. You’re probably taking from your savings, and that’s something your family relies on.”

Today, Miller is focused on building an inclusive community where people feel welcomed regardless of their background or fitness level. “I want all shapes, sizes, colors, wherever you’re from, to come here because this is a safe space,” she said. “This is a wellness studio that is not a mean-girl studio.”

Looking ahead, Miller hopes her entrepreneurial journey inspires others to pursue their own business dreams and take advantage of the no-cost consulting services available through the Florida SBDC at USF. “When Randy and I met, I had an idea. I had a thought process, and he was really able to assist me with making that dream a reality,” she said. “Even if it’s an idea, that idea can blossom into more and really show you that it can become reality.”

Miller encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to seek support and mentorship as they begin their business journeys. “Florida SBDC at USF is really a partner,” she said. “It’s a free service that they really pour into you. If you don’t have friends, family members or mentors that can assist you, you definitely have a consultant that believes in your dreams and will really assist you in being more as a small business owner.”

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.”

E-Mobilize Bike Service, LLC of Pinellas County

What began as an idea to fill a service gap in the growing electric bike market has quickly evolved into a thriving mobile repair business for E-Mobilize Bike Service, LLC.

Founded by Jake McFadden and supported by operating officer and marketing director Russ Hilton, the company delivers on-demand repair services for bicycles and a range of electric mobility devices throughout the Tampa Bay region.

“We are a 100% mobile electric bike and regular bicycle repair service,” McFadden said. “We do more than just work on electric bikes and bicycles. We also work on e-scooters, electric motorcycles, light electric vehicles in general, um, and we do it where we come right to you. So we fix it fast, we fix it right, we fix it right in your driveway, and we have a good time doing it.”

The idea for E-Mobilize came from firsthand industry experience and a clear need in the market.

“We decided to start E-Mobilize because we saw a giant gap in service, basically. There was this big need for somebody to be able to come out to someone’s location to be able to work on their electric bike. Not only to work on it, but to have the expertise to be able to diagnose any type of not only bicycle issue, but electronic issue as well, and that’s really where we shine,” McFadden said.

To build and scale the business effectively, the team turned to the Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Pinellas County Economic Development (PCED), where they began working with consultant Kurt Forster.

“So we’ve utilized Kurt as our consultant through the Florida SBDC at Pinellas County Economic Development, and it’s been fantastic for us,” McFadden explained. “We’ve used him for all sorts of different things, questions about how to move forward with marketing, how to move forward with growing the business. We’ve taken classes like a Profit Mastery class at St. Petersburg College, and it’s just been fantastic to have an extra resource there. I come from a bicycle repair background, so being a business owner is something that I’ve had to really learn, and it’s been great to have help when it comes to that.”

Hilton emphasized the value of having a trusted advisor as the business evaluated new opportunities and strategic decisions.

“With my background with being in marketing and business, I don’t know everything, and so reaching out to a resource like Kurt has been fantastic,” Hilton said. “He’s been kind of that right-hand person to consult us on different projects that we’ve had. I mean, we’ve had different projects from looking at bike shops, [to] looking at vehicles. No matter what it’s been, we’ve always had to be able to bounce it off of Kurt to get the best ideas and make the best decisions for our business.”

With guidance from the Florida SBDC at PCED, E-Mobilize has experienced strong and measurable growth.

“So our business has grown by utilizing the Florida SBDC by using a lot of techniques that they have given us,” Hilton added. “With the marketing stuff, we increased our email marketing alone, which every time we sent out an email blast, we’d get 10 reservations just from one email blast. We have grown our business from 3,000 customers to 4,000 customers in just about a year and a half. Our business has increased by 16% over a year.”

In addition to customer growth, the company has strengthened its reputation through improved online engagement and customer feedback, further positioning itself as a leader in mobile repair services.

The company’s expansion beyond its original service area stands out as one of its greatest accomplishments.

“I think our biggest success so far has been expanding our business out of just Pinellas County,” McFadden said. “We started in Pinellas County, but we now have a technician that lives in Pasco County and one that lives in Hillsborough County, so we cover the whole Tampa Bay area, and we do it really well. We are able to support our other employees and, and they really enjoy it.”

Looking ahead, the E-Mobilize team plans to continue leaning on the Florida SBDC at PCED as they scale operations and enter new phases of growth.

“As we grow this business, we know we’re gonna need help,” Hilton said. “I mean, ’cause we are entrepreneurs, we don’t know everything on it. So we will use the Florida SBDC and Kurt along this way. We’re gonna take this journey together.”

For other small business owners, McFadden encourages building relationships and taking advantage of available support systems.

“Really check it out and make a relationship with somebody there, whether it be a consultant or just getting in touch with the program in general in any way,” he said. “That may be through a class, maybe it’s through your chamber of commerce. That’s how we got introduced to it. You’ve really got to utilize the resources that are available to you to help you grow your business. You can’t do everything yourself when you’re a business owner. I’m sure you’ve tried if you own a business, and it’s just impossible. You gotta have help, and that’s where they come in.”

With continued momentum and a strong support network, E-Mobilize Bike Service is well-positioned to keep expanding its reach and redefining convenience in the bicycle and electric mobility repair industry.

Clearwater Urban Leadership Coalition of Pinellas County

What began as a grassroots response to persistent poverty in one of Pinellas County’s most underserved communities has evolved into an ambitious economic development initiative designed to create opportunity, foster entrepreneurship and revitalize a historic corridor.

The Clearwater Urban Leadership Coalition, led by Executive Director Gloria Campbell and Director of Communications Marilyn Turman, is spearheading “The Village,” an innovative small-business incubator in the North Greenwood area. The project aims to support 10 to 12 small businesses and create up to 15 jobs in a neighborhood long impacted by disinvestment.

“We are a grassroots community organization focused on economic development,” Campbell said. “North Greenwood is the highest concentration of poverty in Pinellas County, and we wanted to create a vehicle to bring opportunity back to the community.”

The vision for The Village emerged after coalition leaders recognized that the area’s once-thriving commercial corridor had all but disappeared.

“As we looked down what was a commercial corridor… all the buildings are gone,” Campbell said. “There were no resources to put people into. So, this became a way to house new businesses and support existing ones.”

Since its inception nearly seven years ago, the coalition has worked to educate residents, build community support and develop a sustainable model for economic revitalization.

Central to the coalition’s progress has been its partnership with the Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Pinellas County Economic Development, particularly business consultant Jenee Skipper.

“We have worked with Jenee Skipper in a number of ways,” Campbell said. “She has been such a resource helping us as we rolled out our business plan and put together our pitch for our development.”

From refining financial strategies to shaping tenant selection and operational planning, Skipper’s guidance helped transform the coalition’s concept into a viable, structured initiative.

“When we first approached this project, she looked at all aspects of our proposal, including financing and cash flow,” Campbell said. “She helped us figure out how we were going to make this successful.”

Turman echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the SBDC’s role in preparing future business owners for long-term success.

“She has been an amazing resource,” Turman said. “Once we gathered our potential tenants, she helped us develop a curriculum to prepare them. We want to make sure they don’t just have a grand opening and a grand closing.”

The training component is a key part of The Village’s strategy. Participants receive education on financial management, business planning, risk mitigation and other fundamentals critical to sustaining a business.

“You may be the best cook on the planet,” Turman said, “but you better know about financial statements, balance sheets and cash flow projections.”

Campbell added that Skipper’s proactive approach has helped keep the coalition on track.

“She doesn’t wait for us to call — she calls us,” Campbell said. “She keeps us on track and makes sure our businesses are getting what they need.”

The Village is designed to be more than just a collection of storefronts. Leaders envision it as a supportive ecosystem where small businesses can grow, collaborate and eventually expand beyond the incubator.

“The key is to build an ecosystem where businesses can thrive, not just survive,” Campbell said.

The project will initially house 11 businesses, some sharing space to reduce costs and encourage collaboration. In addition, the coalition plans to host pop-up opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs who are not yet ready for a permanent location.

“That gives them an opportunity to test their product and grow,” Campbell said. “When spaces open up, we’ll have businesses ready to move in.”

The coalition also ties training participation to future funding opportunities and offers reduced rents to ease the financial burden on entrepreneurs. These measures are intended to improve success rates and address the high failure rates typically associated with small businesses.

“Our goal is at least a 90 percent success rate,” Campbell said. “We’re putting the tools in place to make that happen.”

Since partnering with the Florida SBDC, the coalition has seen significant progress, moving from concept to near completion of the project.

“Our business has grown significantly,” Campbell said. “We’ve partnered with multiple entities, and we’ve gone from an idea to a business model to a project that will be coming out of the ground very shortly.”

Collaborations with organizations such as St. Petersburg College have helped validate the coalition’s market strategies, including tenant and product mix decisions. Support from the City of Clearwater and Pinellas County Economic Development has also provided essential funding and resources.

Among the coalition’s biggest achievements is securing land for the project and providing opportunities for local entrepreneurs.

“We’ve been able to give 11 businesses a home,” Campbell said. “That’s huge.”

For many in North Greenwood, The Village represents more than economic development — it symbolizes renewed hope and investment in a historically overlooked community.

As the project moves closer to completion, the coalition plans to continue leveraging SBDC resources for ongoing training, mentorship and funding opportunities.

“We know that as businesses hit roadblocks, we’ll have resources to help them navigate,” Campbell said. “And we’re looking at how this model could be replicated in other communities.”

Turman encouraged other entrepreneurs to take advantage of the SBDC’s offerings.

“They’re free services,” she said. “If you don’t take advantage of them, you’re missing out on great opportunities.”

Campbell offered a similar message.

“If you don’t use it, you’ll lose it,” she said. “These resources are there to help you grow your business — whether you’re just starting out or looking to expand.”

With The Village poised to open its doors, the Clearwater Urban Leadership Coalition is demonstrating how community-driven vision, combined with strategic partnerships, can create pathways to economic opportunity and long-term success.