January 13, 2023

First-Ever Latin Tech Accelerator To Launch In Tampa

Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Tampa Bay Wave have come together to launch the city’s first-ever tech accelerator for Latin Americans.

What is the LatinTech accelerator program?

Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Tampa Bay Wave has secured funding to launch the city’s first-ever tech accelerator for Latin Americans. The program aims to provide minority-owned companies with the support they need to scale successfully and remove the barriers against them. 

“Since the launch of the new Chamber [in 2019], it was our goal to produce a Latin tech accelerator. We thank Congresswoman Kathy Castor for being our champion to launch this tremendous initiative,” said Cesar Hernandez, president of the Tempa Bay Latin Chamber. 

LatinTech’s federal funding

Additionally, the LatinTech Accelerator program is one of over ten projects funded by the U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Committee’s 2023 budget. As a result, the program received $500,000 in federal funding.

“The infusion of these funds will jumpstart the work of so many important priorities, and I am grateful to all of the local partners who put time and effort into helping me successfully advocate for these funds,” said Congresswoman Kathy Castor added. 

“Working together, we will ensure that every Tampa Bay neighbor [can] grow and thrive across our community. I am proud that these community projects will help tackle the rising cost of living, educate the next generation, and create good-paying jobs that lift our community.” 

To successfully join the program, companies must be 51% owned by people of Latin heritage. The accelerator will not only help Latin Americans but also be a massive support to entrepreneurs from outside Latin America and Europe. 

Kumba Kpakima

Kumba Kpakima is a reporter at POCIT. A documentary about the knife crime epidemic in the UK got her a nomination for the UK's #30toWatch Young Journalists of the Year.