Day 17 of Mentor on Road, USA

“As different streams having different sources all mingle their waters in the sea, so different tendencies, various though they appear, crooked or straight, all lead to God.”

-Swami Vivekananda

Day 17 of Mentor on Road, USA, started with a good interaction at Tampa Bay Wave incubation center. We came across about 45 companies which are incubating and we would be working with some of them soon. They have an accurate and systematic process of documentation.

Founded in 2008, Tampa Bay Wave, Inc. is a ‘by entrepreneurs, for entrepreneurs’ non-profit organisation that helps entrepreneurs turn ideas into growing tech businesses in Tampa Bay. They support over 150 tech start-ups and over 250 entrepreneurs and other crazy talented techies that call Tampa Bay home.

Tampa Bay Wave launched its nationally recognized First Wave Venture Center and tech business accelerator program in March 2013. First Wave has been incredibly successful in connecting high-growth start-ups with mentorship, early stage capital and other critical resources to foster an innovation-driven economy for the region. To date, First Wave has supported over 125 local start-ups which collectively have created and retained over 500 jobs, and contributed to over $20 million in outside investment capital, making it one of the critical economic drivers for the Tampa Bay, Florida region.

In the afternoon we headed to an interactive session with the American companies in Tampa Bay at Small Business Development Center organised by our partner USCS and the SBA on “Innovative approaches of doing business with India”. Around 30 companies were present in the event and each one of them was equally participating. Some practical and relevant questions were raised about the steps that would be taken ahead. We presented about the positive features of New India 3.0. Many good business leads came forward to which we would be connecting to India. 

The U.S. Commercial Service is the trade promotion arm of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration. U.S. Commercial Service trade professionals in over 100 U.S. cities and in more than 75 countries help U.S. companies get started in exporting or increase sales to new global markets.

The Small Business Administration (SBA) is a United States government agency that provides support to entrepreneurs and small businesses. The mission of the Small Business Administration is to maintain and strengthen the nation's economy by enabling the establishment and viability of small businesses and by assisting in the economic recovery of communities after disasters. The agency's activities are summarized as the "3 Cs" of capital, contracts and counselling.

SBA helps lead the federal government's efforts to deliver 23 percent of prime federal contracts to small businesses. Small business contracting programs include efforts to ensure that certain federal contracts reach woman-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses.

Finally we headed towards the last event of the day which was with Indo US Chamber of Commerce in Tampa Bay. Mentor on Road presented about the small village program and the developments in New India 3.0. There was a positive vibe in the event because the participants present were very lively and enthusiastic. We were glad to note that a lot of them came forward for adopting villages across India. We would be working with them soon. We are thankful to Kamplesh C Darji, Amit Patel, Srinivas Vadlamani, Paresh Bhai, Dilip Bhai and lastly, Jal Irani for putting up a wonderful reception and arrangements.

Indo-US Chamber of Commerce was founded on the principle that one learns the most from those who share similar experiences. A rapidly expanding Indo-US Chamber membership includes individuals from every size and type of business. Members here are able to exchange business ideas, obtain referrals and in general have access to a dynamic network of their peers. 

Indo-US Chamber of Commerce is an ultimate medium for exchange of idea. Often described as the single most important benefit, this involves groups of members, usually from a similar profession or business who meet regularly to discuss personal and professional topics. With guidance of an experienced member and moderator, the meetings provide a safe environment for maximum interaction and open discussion. 

Indo-US Chamber of Commerce was selected as a finalist for  the Diversity & Inclusion Award by Tampa Bay Business Journal.

Expecting an eventful day tomorrow.

Jai Ho! (Let victory be yours)