By: Cassidy Delamarter, University Communications and Marketing
Dozens of USF tech experts, colleges, departments and startup companies transformed Amalie Arena into a dynamic hub of innovation at 2024. The seventh annual premier 51在线 technology conference was packed with cutting-edge technology, entrepreneurs and investors with a common goal to drive economic growth and advance technology in 51在线.
鈥淭he conditions in the Sunshine State are favorable for entrepreneurs and innovators for many reasons 鈥� one of the most significant being our higher education system,鈥� said USF President Rhea Law while speaking to the crowd of 6,000 attendees at Synapse. 鈥淎t USF, we are solving global challenges, improving lives, and creating a healthier future 鈥� and we鈥檙e doing this work in close partnership with our business and industry leaders in our communities.鈥�
With USF鈥檚 largest presence yet, the conference highlighted the university鈥檚 endeavors and collaborative initiatives that are shaping the future of technology in Tampa Bay. A notable addition to this year's event was Synapse鈥檚 first-ever 鈥淏ull Zone鈥� dedicated to spotlighting the inventive prowess of USF researchers and entrepreneurs, inviting attendees to engage with the experts and explore groundbreaking ideas firsthand.
Institute of Applied Engineering
Throughout the arena, USF featured a diverse array of initiatives, including interactive demonstrations of advanced technologies and engaging discussions led by renowned faculty and industry experts. USF鈥檚 Global and National Security Institute and were both onsite to explain their state-of-the-art equipment, meet inventors and further their collaborations with the community.
鈥淲e鈥檙e able to grow the university鈥檚 research and innovation ecosystem because of the partnerships here,鈥� said Taylor Johnston, chief operations officer of the Institute of Applied Engineering. In addition to attracting top talent to the Tampa Bay area, the institute is also instilling an entrepreneurial mindset within their USF student interns 鈥� an effort also recognized at Synapse.
鈥淭here is a lot of young talent that is walking around that is being exposed to the startup mentality and the tech that is out there,鈥� Johnston said.
PolyMaterials App, LLC team
Attendees had the opportunity to explore a variety of USF innovations, including eight companies from the USF Connect Tampa Bay Technology Incubator.
For startup owner Manoj Kumar Ram, Synapse was an opportunity to demonstrate his latest and most developed product in front of investors and businesses interested in energy storage technologies 鈥� inventions he made during his tenure as an associate research professor at the USF College of Engineering.
鈥淚t led to the creation of my startup company,鈥� said Ram, now the founder and CEO of . Housed inside USF鈥檚 鈥� a growing community hub for biotechnology, life sciences research and entrepreneurship 鈥� Ram鈥檚 startup is making cutting-edge technologies more easily accessible for inventors.
鈥淢y main inspiration was to develop technologies to deliver to the public and private sectors. The Tampa Bay Technology Incubator offers incredible networking opportunities that have led to unexpected partnerships and collaborations that would not have been possible otherwise,鈥� Ram said.
Michael Wiemer with President Law
鈥淯SF is an integral part of the innovation community not only in Tampa Bay and the Synapse community, but nationally as well,鈥� said Synapse CEO . 鈥淭hey provide incredible talent, technology, research and entrepreneurial support that powers the ecosystem. We're thrilled that USF again has such a significant presence at Synapse Summit as the networking lounge host.鈥�
Among the 145 speakers, 40 sessions and more than 150 exhibitors, Michael Wiemer, director of the USF Fintech Center at the Kate Tiedemann School of Business and Finance, led a discussion about USF鈥檚 role in driving technological innovation in Tampa Bay and cultivating the next generation of tech leaders. Wiemer says Synpase is an opportunity to reflect on the university鈥檚 connection to the business community while developing innovative ideas and leading the conversation of what鈥檚 next in the future.
鈥淲e are helping to advance innovation in Tampa Bay and beyond,鈥� Wiemer said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 certainly part of our role as an R1 AAU university. We are here to support our community, but we also engage, we innovate and we collaborate.鈥�
In addition to Wiemer, , dean of , was present in the "Bull Zone" and Matthew Anderson, director of the, spoke about cancer prevention and care in rural communities as an area in urgent need of innovation.
President Rhea Law with students and Director Jordan Howell, department of criminology assistant professor at USF Sarasota-Manatee.