Mission of Soaring City
Soaring City is focused on developing an innovation ecosystem that seeds prosperity throughout its community, starting with Tampa’s Uptown Innovation Quarter
About Us
Soaring City builds upon Uptown’s strengths in higher education, science, medicine, and research to elevate the opportunities and quality of life for Uptown’s residents.
Soaring City’s Anchor Institutions
The organizations are the backbone of Tampa’s Uptown Innovation Quarter and are represented on the Board of Directors
History
2011
Tampa Innovation Alliance Founded with Executive Board members: USF, Moffitt Cancer Center, Busch Gardens, and Florida Hospital (now AdventHealth Tampa)
2014
Mark Sharpe hired as Executive Director and Alliance office is established on USF campus
2015
Tampa Innovation Alliance Kickoff Luncheon
2015
RD Management, LLC formally added to the Executive Board of Directors
2015
1st Annual Innovation Gathering at MOSI with Keynote Speaker, Bruce Katz
2016
Code-A-Palooza Hack-A-Thon for Homelessness
2016
Innovation Alliance partners with CareerSource to win federal designation as a TechHire community
2016
Innovation Alliance secures $1.4 million planning grant from the State of Florida
2016
2nd Annual Innovation Gathering at University Mall with Keynote Speaker, Richard Florida
2016
Community Engagement Commitee Established
2017
3rd Annual Innovation Gathering at USF Connect
2018
State of Uptown at Crossover Church
2018
James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital formally added to the Executive Board of Directors.
2018
4th Annual Innovation Gathering at USF Connect with Keynote Speaker, Greg Lindsey
2019
2nd Annual State of Uptown
2019
5th Annual Innovation Gathering at USF Alumni Center with Keynote Speaker, Dr. Steven Currall
2020
Real Estate Breakfast
2020
Real Estate Professionals event held virtually
2020
6th Annual Innovation Gathering held virtually with a panel discussion facilitated by Richard Florida
2021
Real Estate Breakfast
2021
3rd Annual State of Uptown
2021
Soaring City Innovation Partnership incorporated
2021
7th Annual Innovation Gathering at Rithm (former University Mall) with Keynote Speaker, Margaret O'Mara
2022
4th Annual State of Uptown and the Launch of Soaring City's collaboration with Florida Blue. March 31st & April 1st
2022
Soaring City Innovation Partnership launched
2022
Florida Blue and TECO formally added to the Executive Board of Directors
2022
Hillsborough Community College formally added to the Executive Board of Directors
2022
8th Annual Innovation Gathering at RITHM with Keynote Speakers, Guy Gilliland and Rony Abovitz
FAQ
Most frequent questions and answers
Soaring City !P is an inclusive ecosystem developer and institute offering services and resources to entrepreneurs, artists, and community builders. Soaring City’s goal is to connect technical innovation with the human capital of the community in the Uptown Quarter and work to break the cycle of generational poverty.
Soaring City !P’s boarders are: I275 to the east; Busch Boulevard on the south; I75 on the west; and Bearss Boulevard on the north. The offices are located within Rithm: unit 2138 at the east end of the mall and the BX2 auditorium, in space 12335.
- Financial: CLICK HERE! All contributions are tax deductible. If you would like to talk to someone about sponsorship, CLICK HERE.
- Volunteer: Soaring City always needs help at our events – and so do many of our partners! CLICK HERE to connect with our Community Engagement Committee and get involved today!
- Tampa Innovation Partnership is still around! It is a non-profit membership organization that is now under the umbrella of Soaring City !p.
- The CEL was the first foray into a non-profit that was focused primarily on raising funds for direct community work. During the pandemic, the organization pivoted to a hot meal distribution with the goal of keeping restaurants in business and feeding residents. The organization and name have been gifted to the Patel Family Foundation.
We love nothing more than to show off the blackboXX and our facilities as well as all of our partners facilities! But, please keep in mind Soaring City has a very small staff spread very thin over a large area! It is best to schedule some time – we are happy to give you a tour and introduce you around.
The Soaring City team is happy to show off the partner facilities located within Rithm. Please keep in mind that Soaring City is operated by a small and mighty staff; it is best to schedule an appointment with a team member by emailing info@soaringcity.org.
Opportunity Zone incentives are a federal tax program designed to encourage long-term private investments in distressed communities. Opportunity Zones create a win-win outcome: tax incentives and solid returns to investors, and economic development and job creation that benefit the people who live and work in the targeted neighborhoods. Click here to learn more about OZ’s.