THE RISE OF “TAMPAPRENEURS”

Businesses are flourishing in Tampa and it has a fully- fledged arts movement. Millennials are dominating the demographic of Tampa and Tampa ranks as the number one city that people moved to in 2016,” according to Realtor.com. It also ranks as the “hottest” city for start-ups, according to “Fortune”, and the best overall city in the Southeast, according to “Money Magazine.” The Black Connect Business Center will provide needed support to the underserved, at-risk businesses and introduce business ownership to those with limited exposure to entrepreneurship.

PROGRESS AND GROWTH

The Tampa Black Connect Business Center, while servicing all members of Black Connect throughout the United States, will also play an important a role in the economic development and growth of Tampa and the surrounding local communities by stimulating entrepreneurship and small business development.  The vision is to establish Black Connect Business Centers in every major city in the United States, including New York City, Chicago, Philadelphia, St. Louis, Miami, Atlanta, Charlotte, Baltimore, and Los Angeles.

PROGRAMS & SERVICES

Programs and services will initially include:

• Pitch competitions

• Business planning

• Legal assistance

• Product evaluation

• Business mentors

• Funding assistance

• Podcast production

• Prototype development

A MULTI-USE SPACE

Each Black Connect Business Center will include:

• Black Connect’s corporate offices

• Co-working space

• Meeting space

• Event space

• Media & technology center

• Commercial print shop

• Retail space

• Cafe