Tampa Bay Wave Ranks No. 3 on TIME's U.S. Accelerator List With $1.8 Billion Raised
Updated
Updated · hypepotamus.com · Aug 18
Tampa Bay Wave Ranks No. 3 on TIME's U.S. Accelerator List With $1.8 Billion Raised
3 articles · Updated · hypepotamus.com · Aug 18
Summary
TIME placed Tampa Bay Wave third on its inaugural U.S. incubators and accelerators ranking, behind only Techstars and MassChallenge.
The nonprofit stood out with a zero-equity model rather than the usual ownership-for-programs approach, while giving founders access to more than 600 investors and 250 mentors.
Wave says its 670-plus portfolio startups have raised over $1.8 billion, including $500 million in 2025, created more than 7,300 jobs and produced 32 exits.
Its six sector-focused programs now span cybersecurity, DefenseTech, FinTech, HealthTech, purpose-driven and ocean technology, with BlueTech|X launched in 2025 backed by a NOAA grant.
The ranking, compiled by TIME with Statista, comes as accelerators increasingly compete on networks, mentorship and customer introductions rather than basic startup instruction.