The energy was electric at Raymond James Stadium as the Tampa Bay Wave community came together for our sold-out Hall of Fame Celebration, showcasing the remarkable growth and vitality of our ecosystem.
NFL veteran and accomplished entrepreneur Ryan Nece captivated the audience with his keynote address, setting an inspiring tone for the evening. A highlight of the celebration was honoring Tony DiBenedetto as our inaugural Tampa Bay Tech Legend, recognizing his transformative impact on our technology landscape.
We proudly welcomed an exceptional group of innovators into the Tampa Bay Wave Hall of Fame, with companies recognized across five tiers of achievement:
Diamond: Successful Sale or Acquisition of the startup by another firm
Platinum: $25M+ in revenue/capital raised
Gold: $10M-$25M in revenue/capital raised
Silver: $5M-$10M in revenue/capital raised
Bronze: $1M-$5M in revenue/capital raised
The evening also celebrated Andy Bennett and Madeline Dent as our Mentors of the Year, acknowledging their outstanding commitment to guiding emerging entrepreneurs. Their dedication exemplifies the collaborative spirit that drives our community forward.
A highlight of the celebration was the premiere of our “Billion Dollar Video.” Thank you to our friends around the Tampa Bay community and Company Man Studios for helping bring our “Billion Dollar” story to life! For those unable to attend, watch the video here!
This magnificent evening was made possible through the generous support of our sponsors, silent auction donors, and table sponsors. Your investment in Tampa Bay Wave’s mission enables us to continue providing crucial resources, mentorship, and opportunities to ambitious entrepreneurs who are building the future of technology in our region.
As we reflect on this milestone celebration and look ahead to Hall of Fame 2025, one thing is clear: Tampa Bay’s technology ecosystem isn’t just growing – it’s accelerating at an unprecedented pace. The collaboration, innovation, and determination displayed by our community are creating a powerful foundation for generations of entrepreneurs to come.
Together, we’re not just witnessing the transformation of Tampa Bay into a leading tech hub – we’re actively creating it. Thank you to all who joined us on December 11th, we are already counting down the days until Hall of Fame 2025!
