A delegation of more than 20 British companies will explore Tampa’s life sciences ecosystem for two days
Tampa, Fla. (Sept. 10, 2024) – The Tampa Bay Economic Development Council, in partnership with the United Kingdom Department for Business and Trade and the British Consulate-General Miami, is bringing a delegation of 23 life sciences companies from the United Kingdom to visit Tampa on September 10 and 11. The aim of the two-day visit is for the UK companies to explore potential expansion, collaboration and partnership opportunities in the Tampa Bay market.
During their trip to Tampa, the companies will be introduced to the area’s growing and thriving life sciences ecosystem through various meetings with the U.S. Commercial Service, tours of university research and lab space, and visits with local technology incubators and accelerators, industry associations, higher education institutions, and hospital and health systems. The companies will also participate in a pitch night and attend a fireside chat with local and statewide leaders.
On Tuesday, September 10 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., the visiting British companies will participate in a pitch night at The University of Tampa’s Entrepreneurship Center to showcase what they do and discuss the assistance or opportunities they are seeking.
On Wednesday, September 11 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at CAMLS, His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for North America, Niall Mackenzie, will take part in a fireside chat to discuss the Memorandum of Understanding between the State of Florida and the British government. The panel also includes Tampa General Hospital CEO John Couris, University of South Florida Provost Prasant Mohapatra, and Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administrator Secretary Jason Weida. The discussion will examine key Florida initiatives, such as the Live Healthy Act, and showcase the healthcare innovation and research taking place in Tampa.
Please see the following statements for more thoughts on the events set to take place:
Niall Mackenzie, United Kingdom HM Trade Commissioner
“The United Kingdom and Florida are deep and significant economic partners. With bilateral goods trade worth $6.4 billion last year, and with 67,500 Floridians employed by UK companies in 2021, we are collaborating more than any other foreign direct investor,” said United Kingdom HM Trade Commissioner Niall Mackenzie. “I am joining an exciting program connecting outstanding UK and Florida life sciences companies across the state this week, in Tampa. By working with local officials to support initiatives like these, we aim to bring even more jobs and growth to both sides of the Atlantic.”
Craig J. Richard, President and CEO of the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council
“We’ve had an intentional strategy focused on cultivating our life sciences industry for the last 15 years. Similarly, we have spent the last 10 years strengthening ties with international trading partners for foreign direct investment opportunities, and we’ve seen strong interest from companies in the UK that have ultimately chosen to expand to our area,” said Craig J. Richard, president and CEO of the Tampa Bay EDC. “With a diverse and multilingual talent pool and home to Florida’s largest deepwater seaport and top-rated international airport, we have a compelling business case for international companies looking to expand to the U.S. market. We’re thrilled to see our strategy coming to fruition by hosting such important delegations as this one.”
Rhea Law, President of the University of South Florida
“The size and impact of our research enterprise were key reasons why the University of South Florida was invited last year to join the prestigious Association of American Universities, a distinction earned by only 71 universities in North America,” said USF President Rhea Law. “Our world-class scholars are at the forefront of discoveries and innovations across a wide range of fields, including medicine, environmental science, AI, cybersecurity, engineering, and data science. We continue to enhance our infrastructure and facilities, including recent additions to the 112-acre USF Research Park, which will bring together our students and faculty with inventors, entrepreneurs, and the business community to help fuel economic growth in the Tampa Bay region and our state.”
Dr. Charles Lockwood, USF Health Executive Vice President
“I am so proud of the physician scientists and researchers who have helped USF Health triple our research funding over the past decade,” said Charles J. Lockwood, MD, MHCM, executive vice president of USF Health and dean of the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. “Their dedication to our mission of ‘making life better’ is helping USF Health push forward to the leading edge of research discoveries, creating a dynamic and welcoming environment as we train the next generation of healthcare leaders and recruit world-class research faculty and innovative new life science companies to the Tampa Medical and Research District.”
Dr. Lockwood also is executive vice president and chief academic officer at Tampa General Hospital.
John Couris, Tampa General Health CEO
“Over the years, the city of Tampa has developed into an internationally recognized epicenter of health care and life sciences and this momentum continues with the growth of the Tampa Medical & Research District. It is critical to partner with organizations like the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council to bring premier companies here so they can see firsthand the exceptional talent, collaboration, and innovation opportunities available to them,” said John Couris, President and CEO of Tampa General Hospital. “We are grateful to these international companies for taking the time to visit our region and look forward to future collaborations in the district.”
Joe Lopano, Tampa International Airport CEO
“As the Tampa Bay region continues to thrive as an international business and travel destination, Tampa International Airport is proud to be one of the few airports in the country offering nonstop flights via British Airways and Virgin Atlantic to both Heathrow and Gatwick airports,” said TPA CEO Joe Lopano, who also chairs the Tampa Bay EDC. “Our UK visitors have been investing in our community for decades, and we at TPA are committed to ensuring we provide the best of service and seamless connectivity for this very special segment of our international passenger growth.”
About the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council
The Tampa Bay Economic Development Council is the lead designated economic development agency for Hillsborough County and the cities of Tampa, Plant City and Temple Terrace. Established in 2009 as a partnership between the public sector and private corporate investors, the EDC works to advance a diversified local economy that is beneficial to all by attracting, expanding and retaining quality employers, a talented workforce and investment, focusing within targeted industry sectors, including Corporate Headquarters, Financial and Professional Services, Information Technology, Life Science and Health Care, Defense and Security, Distribution and Logistics, and Manufacturing. The EDC exists because of the generous support of more than 100 corporations, Hillsborough County, and the cities of Tampa, Plant City and Temple Terrace. For more information, visit www.tampabayedc.com.
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