As a mobile app development company in Tampa Florida, startups in need of app development advice and services often contact us.
And yes, we do have resources we refer startups to when they’re in that early stage of validating an idea, seeking investors or looking for advice.
If you live in the Tampa and St. Petersburg area, you’re lucky to be in such a supportive and vibrant tech community! Here are a few places we suggest you start your journey.
Organizations that Help App Startups in Tampa & St. Petersburg
Keeping with the theme of this page, the organizations we list below have a specific focus on tech startups.
For example, Tampa Bay Innovation Center and Tampa Bay Wave have both helped a number of very successful mobile app startups go from idea, to funding and launch.
Tampa Bay Innovation Center
– Many services offered, both paid and unpaid, to help entrepreneurs from concept through exit strategy.
Tampa Bay Wave – A co-working and business accelerator program in downtown Tampa. This is a happening spot you should connect with if you’re a tech startup in the Tampa area.
Embarc Collective – Member startups will move into their offices near downtown Tampa and get help focused on five areas: coaching for company founders and their teams, an on-site recruiting strategist, introductions to potential customers and prospective investors, help with marketing, and support developing new products.
Networking Events for App Startups in Tampa
The Tampa Bay area of Florida has a very active tech and startup meetup community.
Attending these events is a great way to make connections and meet people in the startup world. You also might meet your next co-founder or get inspired by someone’s story.
One Million Cups Tampa – Good spot to meet and network with other startups and make connections in the local community. Meets every Wednesday at 9:00am.
One Million Cups St. Pete – One Million Cups in St. Pete is a weekly event that is very well attended. Highly recommended if you’re in the St. Petersburg area. Meets every Wednesday at 9:00am.
StartUp Exchange – Order a beer and get some (free) advice from local experts on topics important to tech startups. This is a casual event attended by mentor volunteers that rotate each month. Update: this event is currently on hold, but expected to resume in the future.
Synapse Summit – This conference in Tampa is not to be missed if you’re a serious startup looking for investors or partners. Synapse isn’t specifically startup focused, it’s innovation focused, which means innovative startups have a lot to gain by attending. Go for both days and meet as many exhibitors and attendees as you can. Takes place in February each year.
Advice for Mobile App Startups
Here are some advice articles for mobile app startups that we’ve found around the web. The first one is an especially good guide for anyone with an app idea, it walks you through the steps to take. The second article about raising capital for your app startup is also very informative.
- How to Create a Successful App Starting from Scratch
- How to Raise Capital for Your Mobile App Startup
- How to Build an App Startup With No Technical Expertise
- Techstars Startup Fundraising Series
How to Find App Developers for Startups in Tampa
Depending on the stage you’re at with your startup, it could be tricky to find app developers.
We advise well-funded startups to hire an experienced app development company. But, earlier on, when you’re a person with a new idea, it’s premature to start calling app development companies. Their services will be priced out of your budget and it’s too soon to hire them anyway.
Plus, if you’re hoping they may want to develop your app at no charge in exchange for equity, you’ll probably be disappointed.
Instead, start by validating your idea through some of the sources above. Consider getting set up with a business incubator for the support you’ll need. Once you have some capital available it’ll make more sense to start talking to app development companies.
In the mean time, take some time to research how much it costs to develop a mobile app. These articles from our Resource Section will help:
Here’s to your success!
~ Team Big Fish
