Linda Olson

Linda Olson is the CEO and founder of Tampa Bay Wave, Florida's #1 Accelerator  that has supported 550+ startups since 2013 with world-class programs, world-class startups, and world-class results. Collectively, these startups have raised over $1Billion and created thousands of jobs. With nationally-recognized accelerator programs such as TechDiversity, CyberTech|X, FinTech|X, HealthTech|X and soon... BlueTech|X ... Tampa Bay Wave is also the only Florida-based accelerator accepted into MORROW (formerly know as GAN, the global accelerator network). 

Running 5 (five) cohorts annually, Tampa Bay Wave's accelerator programs are highly competitive, receiving over 1,000 applications annually from across the U.S. and beyond with more than 30 countries have been represented in Wave accelerator cohorts in the past 5 years.

To date, Linda has raised over $16 million in public and private sector funding to launch and expand Tampa Bay Wave, a grassroots 'by entrepreneur, for entrepreneur' organization that she originally founded as a Meetup group. She is a nationally-recognized ecosystem-building expert, and was asked to share her experience while testifying before a U.S. Congressional hearing in December 2022.

Linda is also an original member of Startup America Partnership and is currently an active member of Startup Champions Network. Linda also serves as an Honorary Commander at MacDill Air Force Base and serves on various boards including USF CAMLS (Center for Advanced Medical Learning & Simulation), USF Research Foundation, Synapse Florida, and Visit Tampa Bay. Linda was selected to the U.S. delegation to the Global Entrepreneurship Congress in Bahrain in 2019 and Riyadh in 2022. Linda has Masters and BS degrees from Florida State University, and an MBA from Columbia University. A native of St. Pete Beach, Linda enjoys spending time with her family, including her two daughters whom she is raising to be future female entrepreneurs!