Entrepreneurial Growth
Workgroup Overview
The Entrepreneurial Growth Workgroup aims to advance conversations around small business and growth opportunities in St. Petersburg. In 2019 and 2020, the group has been focusing on understanding local support for start-ups. This group believes that only by understanding entrepreneurs’ needs can we begin to develop methods for reducing barriers to success for all entrepreneurs, regardless of background or resources.
2020 PRIORITIES:
- Distribute, analyze, and write up the first annual Entrepreneurship survey
- Regularly convene to facilitate alignment between workgroup membership
- Tentative: host a benchmarking trip to Orlando related to entrepreneurship and diversity
Chair:
Jessica Eilerman
Greenhouse Manager and Small Business Liaison, Mayor’s Office
Vice Chair:
Dr. Cynthia Johnson
Director Florida Small Business Development Center, PCED
Spotlight:
Born from discussions at Grow Smarter workgroup meetings, the first St. Pete Pitch Night was held in November 2019. Five local start-ups competed for a grand prize of $5,000. Each participant was given 6 minutes to present followed by a 6-minute questionand-answer session with a panel of guest judges.
Kids Saving Oceans was this year’s winner, and Urban Yoga Florida received the audience favorite award. USFSP Kate Tiedemann College of Business, The City of St. Petersburg, St. Petersburg Greenhouse, St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce, and Regions Bank–all of which are involved with Grow Smarter–co-hosted the event.
