USF CONNECT

Mark Your Calendar for March 12th! Join USF Connect’s next webinar on Pricing with Scott Kelly and learn practical tips to make your pricing work smarter for your business.

Don’t miss it! Register with the link below: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/marketing-readiness-webinar-series-pricing-registration-1981244452491?aff=odcleoeventsincollection"

We are thrilled to celebrate with Chitra K. and Saravana Pat Bhava, the visionary founders behind Pikmykidi, on being honored with the American Dreams award!

What started as a local idea to make school dismissal safer has grown into a global platform reaching 7,000 schools in all 50 states and 7 countries. Their story shows how determination and innovation can truly make an impact worldwide.

We’re proud to share that Pikmykid was part of the very first cohort of the USF CONNECT Student Innovation Incubator (SII). To see how far they’ve come is a true testament to the power of entrepreneurship.

USF CONNECT Director Shannon Pastizzo joined U.S. U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor and many others to celebrate this milestone and the enduring spirit of the American Dream.

In our latest newsletter, we highlight the collaborative efforts of our dedicated team at USF CONNECT. Discover how each member contributes to fostering innovation and supporting entrepreneurs. We also celebrate milestones achieved by our affiliates, such as MicroPlasma Systems securing funding for safety innovations and Abacode's acquisition enhancing Tampa Bay's cybersecurity landscape. Join us in empowering the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs.

https://conta.cc/4fDSZAo

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USF CONNECT Community Newsletter Email from Check it out! View as Webpage Internal Newsletter Issue 23 August 6, 2025   What Makes the Difference? The Team. Every week, we see brilliant ideas, cutting-edge research, and bold visions

Taking your biotech innovation from lab to market takes more than just a great idea — it requires a strategic plan that aligns with investors and drives sustainable growth.

Join us on August 21, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET for an interactive webinar with the team from Illumination Strategy. Learn how to build early-stage financial plans and go-to-market strategies that avoid common pitfalls and attract partners, investors, and customers.

Whether you’re refining your pitch or mapping your next move, this session will give you practical tools to advance your biotech venture with confidence.

Register now: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1399514257819?aff=oddtdtcreator

The spirit of July 4th is rooted in American ingenuity.
Did you know Thomas Jefferson—author of the Declaration of Independence—also helped establish the U.S. Patent Office?

Today, that same spirit fuels the innovators, entrepreneurs, and researchers building the future right here at USF CONNECT.

USF Students! Got a big idea?

Whether you're studying business, biology, art, engineering, or anything in between — SII is for YOU.

The Student Innovation Incubator helps USF students launch real startups while still in school. You’ll get:

✅ Collaborative office space
✅ Industry mentors & workshops
✅ Support to build, test, and grow your idea
✅ A team of like-minded innovators from every major

Applications are OPEN!
Don’t wait to graduate to innovate.

Apply now: https://airtable.com/appqgwe0jYxlmULTk/shrN885vsjd8Dlodd
Deadline: September 21, 2025

Happy Earth Day from USF CONNECT!
Today, we celebrate the innovators in our community who are making a measurable difference for the planet.

Meet some of our Earth-minded incubator companies:

🌱 Soilcea – Advancing sustainable agriculture through CRISPR-edited citrus trees that combat citrus greening without harmful chemicals. A win for farmers and the environment.

🌊 Ocean Alchemists – Reviving coral reef ecosystems with science-driven solutions to marine diseases, protecting one of the planet’s most vital resources.

🥗 Go See the City – Fighting food waste and insecurity by linking surplus meals with people who need them most.

🛰️ GuardianSAT – Keeping space sustainable by preventing satellite collisions and protecting Earth’s orbital environment.

These companies embody the power of innovation to preserve and protect our planet.