Why Tampa Is One of the Best Cities for Startups in 2025 — And Why the Best Is Yet to Come

Tampa is on the rise — and now the rest of the country is taking notice.
According to a new WalletHub study featured in Patch, Tampa ranks #2 in the entire United States as one of the best cities to start a business in 2025.

This ranking didn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of a perfect mix of business-friendly policies, a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem, and a community that's all-in on innovation.

What Makes Tampa a Top Startup City?

WalletHub analyzed 100 of the largest U.S. cities based on factors like business costs, access to resources, and business environment. Tampa stood out in several key areas:

• Low Corporate Tax Rates: Florida’s business-friendly tax structure gives startups room to grow.

• Strong Investor Network: Tampa has one of the highest numbers of investors per capita among major cities.

• High Startup Survival Rates: WalletHub’s Entrepreneurial Activity Index highlighted Tampa’s strong success rate for new businesses.

• Quality of Life: An attractive lifestyle for both entrepreneurs and their teams, with year-round sunshine, thriving arts, and top-rated amenities.

These factors combine to make Tampa not just a great place to launch a business, but a great place to build a life.

Tampa's Startup Success Stories

Tampa’s entrepreneurial boom isn’t just a headline — it’s happening in real time. Here are a few standout examples:

• ReliaQuest: A global leader in cybersecurity solutions, founded right here in Tampa and now valued at over $1 billion.

• Harvest Croo Robotics: This Tampa-based company is redefining agriculture with automated crop harvesting technologies.

• CoLabs: An innovative incubator providing software development, investment, and operational resources to fuel startup success.

• Embarc Collective: A nonprofit innovation hub now supporting over 125 early-stage tech startups with coaching, resources, and community.

Each of these companies started with an idea — and found the resources, talent, and support needed to thrive in Tampa.

Why Tampa’s Growth Matters

Tampa’s rise as a national startup hub has far-reaching impacts beyond just the business world. It’s creating new jobs, attracting top talent, driving real estate demand, and raising the profile of the entire region.

For entrepreneurs, investors, and anyone passionate about innovation, Tampa represents opportunity — and that opportunity is only growing.

If you're thinking about where to build your next business, make connections, or invest in the future, Tampa deserves a serious look.

The best part?
We’re just getting started.