Tampa snagged the No. 20 spot for best tech hubs nationwide in a study conducted by Lemon.IO. The ranking placed Tampa behind Miami at fourth and Orlando at 13th. Washington, D.C., claimed the top position.

Researchers examined cities using multiple criteria: institutions offering computer programs, graduation rates for tech courses, Wi-Fi hot spots, available tech jobs, and tech companies rated 3 stars or higher on Glassdoor. Aleksandr Volodarsky, CEO and founder of Lemon.IO, believes Tampa has developed its own unique character.

“Tampa specifically, I think it’s great because it’s a specialist hub,” said Volodarsky to Tampa Bay 28.

This isn’t the first time Tampa has received attention. WalletHub ranked the region as the No. 1 best large city in America to launch a business back in April.

The University of South Florida opened the Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, and Computing in 2025. Officials believe the area is transforming into the new “Cyber Bay.”

Embarc Collective sits at the heart of tech expansion. This nonprofit has spent seven years building connections around tech startups. Tim Holcomb, CEO of Embarc Collective, sees people moving here from across Florida and the entire country.

“The whole innovation landscape in Tampa is in a very, very good position,” Holcomb said. “I’ve also gotten kind of edgy when it comes to talking about Tampa Bay as an emerging market; Tampa Bay is we’re already there.”

The concentration of companies and skilled workers drives more expansion, according to Holcomb. Workers recognize the opportunities available to them. They’re more willing to launch a company in the Bay Area.

“It’s learning how to get comfortable with being uncomfortable,” Holcomb said. “The very nature of startups is, as a founder, at least, that they’re doing something new, and that they’re in doing something new that creates a natural discomfort.”

The Bellini College will strengthen this network, Holcomb said. Movement creates concentration, and concentration creates choices for skilled workers who graduate.