St. Petersburg, FL – Embarc Collective, a Tampa‑based startup hub, unveiled a new partnership with private‑equity firm Blake Investment Partners that will allow the organization to broaden its presence in Pinellas County. Blake has committed to a five‑year lease of office space ranging from 3,000 to 5,000 square feet, giving Embarc’s member companies a dedicated physical location in St. Petersburg.
Local founders gain a stronger foothold
“We have almost a dozen early‑stage startups that are members of Embarc Collective and are headquartered in St. Pete,” said Embarc CEO Tim Holcomb. “Our platform is a grassroots offering that has historically delivered real value by increasing survival rates for those companies at the very earliest stage and by providing engagement support services that help founders validate their business model and scale across the state and the country.”
The partnership will enable Embarc to deliver better access to its suite of services, including curricular programming and community workshops, directly within the city. Holcomb added that while a specific site has not yet been selected, the new space will serve as a hub for companies operating in St. Petersburg and the broader Pinellas County area.
Blake Investment Partners backs the effort
Blake Investment Partners founder and CEO Thompson Whitney Blake said the collaboration reflects confidence in the region’s growing tech ecosystem. “St. Petersburg is no longer an emerging innovation market; it is one of the most compelling places in the Southeast to build and scale a company,” Blake said in a prepared statement. “Bringing Embarc Collective’s proven platform, national network and access to capital to St. Pete is a major step forward for the founders building here today and the companies we want to attract tomorrow.”
Blake noted that the partnership is the firm’s first effort to establish an extension of its core offering outside of its Tampa headquarters, describing the move as “planting a flag” for the organization in St. Petersburg.
Potential future co‑location at historic gas plant
In July, Mayor Ken Welch selected the Pinellas County Housing Authority and The Burg Bid LLC—led by Blake Investment Partners—to redevelop the Historic Gas Plant District. Holcomb indicated that there is “potential down the road for Embarc to co‑locate at the new Gas Plant development,” which could further integrate the startup hub into a major mixed‑use project.
Since its founding in 2019, Embarc Collective has worked with more than 300 founders across over 145 startups. Companies it supports in Pinellas County include Spontivly, BlockSpaces, Cvergenx, Knack, Immigr8, CooperCast, CaresLink and SmartCare360.
Impact on the local economy
The expansion aligns with St. Petersburg’s broader strategy to attract high‑growth businesses and diversify its economic base. By providing early‑stage companies with affordable office space and mentorship, the partnership aims to increase job creation, retain talent, and position the city as a regional leader in technology and innovation.
Local officials and business leaders have welcomed the announcement, noting that the added resources will help sustain the momentum generated by recent redevelopment projects and the city’s emphasis on fostering a vibrant entrepreneurial community.
Embarc Collective and Blake Investment Partners plan to finalize site selection and begin moving forward with the new space later this year, signaling a continued commitment to the growth of St. Petersburg’s startup ecosystem.
Original reporting: St. Pete Catalyst — read the source article.
