Tampa Bay Innovation Center

What Tampa Bay Innovation Center does

Tampa Bay Innovation Center, now operating as spARK Labs by ARK Invest, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit innovation hub headquartered in a 45,000 sq ft facility in St. Petersburg's Innovation District. The organization serves early-stage, pre-revenue startups building in ARK Invest's disruptive-technology verticals — including AI, robotics, blockchain, energy storage, multiomics, and space — providing dedicated workspace, programming, mentorship, and direct exposure to ARK Invest's research team via the AIR Supply Adviser Program.

Its operating model was restructured in mid-2025 from a time-boxed accelerator into a sustained, high-touch membership model under incoming CEO Rebecca 'Becca' Brown. Membership reached full capacity at 45 companies within roughly twelve months, driven by word-of-mouth and the ARK affiliation. Members include Rovex Technologies, ARTAN Bio, Plato, Iron Meadow, Seagate Space, and Speros (a Moffitt Cancer Center resident). Notable member funding events include Plato's $3.5M round led by ARK Invest and ARTAN Bio's $1M seed raise.

Revenue is generated primarily through recurring membership dues, supplemented by institutional partnerships with USF, the USF Institute of Applied Engineering, the Florida High Tech Corridor, Moffitt Cancer Center, BayCare, Space Florida, and the St. Pete Innovation District. A planned early-stage venture fund and angel network, slated to launch in 2026, will introduce fund-management fees and equity participation in member companies, broadening the revenue base beyond membership. The hub is also planning a second-floor expansion and an anchor tenant in 2026, reflecting sustained demand that exceeds current physical capacity.

Name

Tampa Bay Innovation Center

Legal name

STAR-TEC Enterprises, Inc.

Website

https://tbinnovates.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2024

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

spARK Labs by ARK Invest is a St. Petersburg, FL nonprofit innovation hub running a 45,000 sq ft membership-based incubator for 45 early-stage startups building AI, robotics, blockchain, energy, and multiomics ventures, backed by ARK Invest.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Startup Incubator / Business Incubation Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (61171), Other Management Consulting Services (541618)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Investment Advice (6282)

akta.pro primary industry

Accelerators & Incubators (Investor-Operated) (FSANAAAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Corporate Venture Studios & Incubators (Build/launch ventures) (FSANAHAC), Makerspace, Innovation Lab & Fab Lab Operations (Tools, Safety, Programming) (EDAEAGAI)

Keywords

• Startup incubation
• Innovation hub
• Deep tech accelerator
• Membership incubator
• Venture development

Headquarters

HQ city

St. Petersburg

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: The organization shifted from an accelerator-based model to a high-touch membership model. Members pay for access to the incubator space, programming, mentorship, and connections to ARK Invest's network and research.
2. Venture Fund Management: Early-stage venture fund and angel network that will invest in startups focused on AI, robotics, blockchain, energy, and multiomics, creating a complementary revenue stream through fund management

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Tampa Bay Innovation Center (operating as spARK Labs by ARK Invest) is a nonprofit innovation hub and incubator offering sustained, non-time-boxed incubation through a membership model. The organization provides 45,000 square feet of workspace, structured programming, mentorship, and access to ARK Invest's research-driven insights, venture connections, and investor network to seed-stage and pre-revenue B2B and deep-tech startup founders.

Product overview

spARK Labs by ARK Invest (formerly Tampa Bay Innovation Center) operates as a nonprofit innovation hub with a membership-based model providing sustained incubation support. The core offering consists of the spARK Labs Membership Program and the 45,000-square-foot ARK Innovation Center facility. Additional offerings include an Early-Stage Venture Fund and Angel Network for capital access, the AIR Supply Adviser Program connecting startups with ARK research analysts, and structured programming and workshops. The ecosystem focuses on disruptive technologies including AI, robotics, energy, blockchain, and multiomics, positioning Tampa Bay as a national innovation hub.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• spARK Labs Membership Program A nonprofit innovation hub membership offering ongoing, non-time-boxed incubation with structured programming, workshops, mentorship, and access to ARK Invest's research-driven insights, venture connections, and investor network for seed-stage, pre-revenue B2B and deep-tech founders.
• ARK Innovation Center Facility A 45,000-square-foot incubator facility in St. Pete's Innovation District featuring flexible workspaces, private offices, meeting rooms, and event spaces designed to move founders from concept to creation across AI, robotics, blockchain, energy, and multiomics.
• Early-Stage Venture Fund and Angel Network An investment vehicle designed to provide founders with greater access to early-stage capital, initially investing in spARK Labs member companies across AI, robotics, energy, blockchain, and multiomics before expanding regionally.
• AIR Supply Adviser Program A program integrating ARK Invest research analysts with member startups to provide advisory support and market intelligence through curated touchpoints, connecting founders with ARK's research expertise in disruptive innovation sectors.
• Programming and Workshops Curated programming, events, and workshops for founders developing deep-tech ideas in AI, robotics, energy, and defense systems to help turn concepts into world-changing solutions through structured learning opportunities.

Quantifiable outcome

• Membership grew from 10 to 25 companies through word-of-mouth referrals
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability3 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• USF Institute of Applied EngineeringcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 October 2025The USF Institute of Applied Engineering in Tampa established a partnership with the ARK Innovation Center to support local startups and defense-related projects, providing access to funding, research, and industry connections with focus on defense and dual-use technologies including an $85 million U.S. Army contract and renewed $85 million SOCOM contract.
• University of South Florida (USF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 October 2025USF partnered with spARK Labs through the Florida High Tech Corridor to support startups working on advanced technologies. The collaboration aims to foster academia-industry-entrepreneur partnerships, providing research, R&D partnerships, and internship opportunities.
• Florida High Tech CorridorcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 October 2025Partnership expanding innovation footprint by connecting USF, Florida High Tech Corridor, and spARK Labs in St. Petersburg to support startups and regional innovation ecosystem development.
• Moffitt Cancer Center / Speros by MoffittcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoffitt Cancer Center established Speros by Moffitt at St. Pete within spARK Labs, creating its first presence in St. Petersburg as part of a regional AI and life sciences collaboration. The partnership brings Moffitt's oncology-focused venture studio into the ARK Innovation Center, fostering collaboration between researchers, biotech startups, and AI innovators.
• BayCare Health SystemminorOthersBayCare Health System partnered with spARK Labs member Rovex Technologies for a pilot program testing autonomous hospital transport robot 'Rovi' at Morton Plant Hospital in Clearwater.
• Space FloridacoreOthersSpace Florida partnered with spARK Labs member Seagate Space through Project Manta to accelerate development of its modular offshore rocket launch platform. The strategic investment funds a full-scale prototype being built at Port Tampa Bay.
• St. Pete Innovation DistrictcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLocated at the heart of St. Pete's Innovation District, spARK Labs benefits from regional ecosystem connections to customers, partners, and opportunities. The organization is positioned as part of the Gas Plant District redevelopment.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Tampa Bay Wave: Florida-based nonprofit tech accelerator serving early-stage startups. Most directly comparable regional peer, also a 501(c)(3) running accelerator cohorts and providing mentorship to seed-stage founders in the Tampa Bay area.
• Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC): Operator of large innovation campuses offering flexible workspace, programming, and venture support. Highly comparable in its physical-hub-plus-community model, though operating across multiple cities and at greater scale.
• Capital Factory: Austin-based innovation hub and accelerator combining coworking, programming, mentorship, and investor access for early-stage startups. Closely mirrors spARK Labs' integrated hub-plus-capital model in a different regional ecosystem.
• 1871: Chicago's nonprofit innovation hub supporting early-stage tech startups with workspace, programming, and corporate partnerships. Comparable structure as a nonprofit hub serving B2B/enterprise founders.
• MassChallenge: Global nonprofit accelerator with cohort-based programs connecting early-stage startups to corporate partners, mentors, and investors. Comparable as a nonprofit accelerator without taking equity from members.
• Innovation Works: Pittsburgh-based seed-stage accelerator combining incubation, mentorship, and pre-seed/seed venture funding. Closely mirrors the planned spARK Labs model of combining an incubator with an in-house venture fund.
• Station Houston: Houston-based innovation hub offering workspace, programming, and community for tech and energy-focused startups. Comparable as a regional innovation hub serving deep-tech founders.
• Atlanta Tech Village: Atlanta-based startup hub providing coworking, programming, and community for early-stage tech companies. Comparable physical-hub-plus-community approach targeting early-stage founders in a regional market.

Broad incumbents

• Techstars: Global accelerator network with mentor-driven cohort programs and an in-house venture fund. Operates at far greater scale than spARK Labs and uses a time-boxed cohort model rather than sustained membership.
• Y Combinator: Premier global startup accelerator providing seed funding, mentorship, and investor network access. Far larger and more selective, but represents the benchmark model that 'non-time-boxed' membership structures implicitly differentiate against.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/tbinnovates
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@sparkbyark
• Facebookfacebook.com/tbinnovationcenter
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/2556307
• Instagraminstagram.com/sparkbyark

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments27 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Tampa Bay Innovation Center