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What is Embarc Collective?

Embarc Collective is the fastest-growing startup hub in Florida. Our mission is to help Tampa Bay's startup talent build bold, scalable, thriving companies.

The model behind Embarc Collective's offering is hands-on support and driven by the specific goals and needs of each member startup. Member companies receive customized, on-going coaching and function-specific support from Embarc Collective's on-staff experienced startup operators. Member companies can also access tailored, hands-on small-group sessions to help propel their company's growth.

All of this support is provided inside Embarc Collective's 32,000 square-foot physical space located in downtown Tampa as well as virtually.

In addition to serving as the home to our member community, Embarc Collective offers spaces for the Tampa Bay community to host large-scale programming on entrepreneurship, innovation, and technology, providing a central landing zone for the Tampa Bay startup community.

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Where is Embarc Collective?

We are located at 802 E Whiting Street in downtown Tampa. The main entrance is at the corner of East Whiting and North Jefferson Streets.

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What are some ways that Embarc Collective supports member startups?

  • On-going coaching from an Embarc Collective Account Manager, an experienced startup operator who can help with business growth goals.
  • Access to a team of on-staff specialists from Embarc Collective, in collaboration with their Account Manager, who can help with function-specific goals (e.g., sales & customer pipeline development, marketing, PR, content development, talent strategy, data & insights management, product, investor prospecting).
  • Weekly function-specific programming led by local and national industry experts — all designed to boost the skills of the whole team.
  • A community of other builders who share the willingness to learn what is new and untested.
  • Access to our 32,000 square foot state-of-the-art space, which creates the right environments for the community to build, learn and collaborate together.

Learn more about membership here.

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How is Embarc Collective different from the traditional startup support model?

Our In-House Coaches

At Embarc Collective, members have access to a bench of the highest caliber paid mentors, which we call "Coaches," who provide ongoing strategic and functional support. We carefully select our coaches based on experience, commitment, and expertise. We pay our mentors because we value their accountability and commitment to our members. With aligned interests and incentives, members have the opportunity to build stronger connections with their coaches.

Coaches can help with the different dimensions of building technology or tech-enabled startups (e.g., sales & customer pipeline development, marketing, PR, content development, talent strategy, data & insights management, product, investor prospecting).

Coaches are supported by Account Managers on our staff. We match each founder with an Account Manager based on expertise, industry, and learning/communication style. The Account Manager is trained on a milestone-focused methodology to provide consistent, customized, quality support to push your business forward. As a member, you will meet regularly with your Account Manager to help you navigate through the tremendous volume of resources at Embarc Collective and to assist you with a plan for long-term outcomes.

No Set Curriculum

What’s unique about Embarc Collective is that there’s no set program or curriculum to follow. Every startup's journey is different and instead of using a predetermined path, we customize each startup’s experience based on the member’s needs, goals, and challenges. We want members to see success and that can look different for everyone, so we want to honor that.

No Set Timeline

Embarc’s program is ongoing, meaning we don’t have a set timeline for when the program is officially complete because everyone has different success metrics. We give you a plan for the future and support you in the day-to-day for as long as you need. Other programs are designed to help you sprint or jump over the hurdle, but we know that being an entrepreneur isn’t easy so we treat our member experience more like a marathon. 

We’re a Collective

With a community of 120+ startups, there’s an opportunity to connect with peers and learn from their growth/experience. It’s a 360 learning experience. Startups can learn from their coaches as well as each other.

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Do you offer co-working space?

Yes, but that's just the start of membership benefits. Early-stage technology startups apply for membership to access educational support geared towards helping them scale their businesses and for a community of like-minded entrepreneurs who are hungry to solve a problem. As part of that membership, startup founders, teams and talent have access to a state-of-the-art facility. Members can choose to have private office space or collaborate in our shared workspace. The Embarc Collective facility also serves as a central landing zone for the Tampa Bay startup community and offers spaces for others to host on entrepreneurship, innovation, and technology.

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How do I qualify for Embarc Collective membership?

We encourage early-stage startups building technology-enabled software solutions to apply for membership. Our criteria outline the types of startups that will benefit the most from Embarc Collective membership. We evaluate each startup's potential and viability and assess if our support matches the specific startup's needs to ultimately determine fit.

We review and accept companies on a monthly basis, which means companies that are offered membership can begin receiving support and access to our space when the time is right for their venture.

Apply for membership here.

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Can I tour Embarc Collective?

Tours are hosted once weekly on Wednesdays at 9am-9:30am, sign up here. Tours will include an overview of the Embarc Collective’s key resources, space, and time for Q&A.

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How can I get involved if I’m part of a larger corporation or other large organization?

We partner with larger organizations to help further develop our offering for member startups. Corporations interested in getting involved with Embarc Collective can inquire about corporate partnerships here.

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How do I host an event at Embarc Collective?

Our event philosophy is to host events that benefit our Tampa Bay startup community from a brand, knowledge, networking, or talent perspective. We invite community members to host events on entrepreneurship, innovation and technology at Embarc Collective. To inquire about hosting your event at Embarc Collective, contact our Events Manager here.

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How can I get involved with Embarc Collective if I'm not a member?

Stay up to date with the latest member news and upcoming events at Embarc Collective by signing up here for our weekly newsletter, The Weekly Collective.

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What are Embarc Collective's hours of operation?

For members, Embarc Collective is open 6AM - 9PM Monday through Friday, and 10AM - 5PM on weekends. The Embarc Collective team is onsite 9AM - 5PM Monday through Friday.

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What are the Blind Tiger Cafe's hours of operation?

Blind Tiger Cafe is the on-site provider of cafe beverages and food at Embarc Collective’s community cafe. The cafe serves coffee, including nitro and cold brew, tea, kombucha, sandwiches, salads and acai bowls.

Blind Tiger Cafe @ Embarc Collective is open to the public 8AM - 3PM Monday through Friday and closed Saturday and Sunday.

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Do you have parking?

There are a variety of parking and mobility solutions available to members and guests of Embarc Collective. Nearby parking options have been aggregated and can be viewed/purchased here. We encourage all members to carpool whenever possible. Discounted monthly parking in the nearby Pink Lot is also available to members on request.

Local transit options include:

  1. HART
  2. TECO Streetcar
  3. Coast Bike
  4. The Cross-Bay Ferry — ferry service is provided between downtown Tampa and downtown St. Pete in the evening hours.
  5. Water Taxi

A bike rack is on the premise for cyclists. The bike rack is video monitored, but bike owners assume any risk of damages and theft.

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Does Embarc Collective take equity in my startup?

No, Embarc Collective does not take equity in your company. Instead, startups are charged a monthly, subsidized membership fee for access to Embarc Collective's customized, ongoing, quality support, and amenities.

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What facility amenities are available to members?

Embarc Collective offers a variety of spaces that meet the needs of all of your team members.

  • Personal spaces:
    • Prayer room
    • Nursing room
    • Quiet room
    • Private phone booths
  • Functional amenities:
    • Content creation studio with podcast, photo, and video equipment
    • Member kitchen and kitchenettes equipped with fridge, sink, microwaves, ice makers, dishes, and utensil essentials
    • Endeavr Coffee, our on-site café
    • Internet (fiber) with secure WiFi
    • Controlled access
    • Printing (included at no additional cost)
    • Package and mail handling
    • Storage lockers
    • Food vending options and Bevi water machine
    • Housekeeping services
  • Open areas with tables to stand and sit at, comfortable lounge chairs, and shared whiteboards
  • Private offices furnished with powered sit-to-stand desks and chairs
  • Conference rooms (reservable at no additional cost)
  • A 250-person event space, 60-person classroom, and 30-person classroom designed for hosting events and workshops on the topics of entrepreneurship, technology, and innovation. Members are also able to utilize these spaces at a discounted rate for team on-sites, board meetings, customer immersion days, staff training, etc.

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Does Embarc Collective have on-site food options?

Yes. Members have access to the kitchen area, which includes a fresh food vending option. Additionally, food purchased at Blind Tiger Cafe (M-F 8a - 3p) can be brought into the member kitchen.

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Can I receive mail?

Members can use Embarc Collective as their business mailing address. All membership plans will receive complimentary mail and package handling and storage.

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Are there any additional fees when I sign-up?

We require a one month deposit upon joining. We hold on to the deposit in case of a missed payment or any incidentals. Deposits are returned within 45 days of membership termination.

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Can I bring my pet?

Embarc Collective welcomes services animals. Due to building regulations, pets are not permitted in the facility.

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How do I cancel my membership?

Membership at Embarc Collective is designed around your startup's success — our ultimate goal is to support you until your team is ready to grow beyond our offering; that's a win for us. That said, we hope to keep you involved in the Embarc Collective community past your formal membership through impactful engagements.

Please email and schedule a time with your Embarc Collective Account Manager to being the cancelation process.

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Still have questions? Drop us a line here hello@embarccollective.com.

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