St. Petersburg is one of the emerging economies in the Southeast US. The mix of emerging sectors like financial services, data analytics, marine and life sciences, and specialty manufacturing positions it as the center of an economic boom. With upcoming developments such as the Innovation District, now is the perfect time for you to start your business here in St. Petersburg. Our team at Black Sheep Business Consulting will help you create a custom business plan for any purpose. Whether you are attracting investments or applying for grants, our team of experts will help you.

Marine & Life Sciences

St. Petersburg has one of the largest marine and environmental sciences communities in the Southeast US. Major institutions in this sector include Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, Bayfront Health, and the University of South Florida (USF), as well as NOAA and USGS. There is also a good pipeline of talent through USF’s top-tier health, marine and biological science programs. St. Petersburg also supports innovation in this industry through numerous startup incubator programs, business meetup events, and co-working spaces. With marine and life sciences becoming more important, the city presents countless opportunities for you to grow your business.

Specialized Manufacturing

Specialized Manufacturing in St. Petersburg is rapidly growing, generating over $800 million in annual exports. It has one of the largest manufacturing bases in Florida, led by companies producing electronics and medical devices. Jabil, a Fortune 500 electronics manufacturing firm headquartered in St. Petersburg, is the largest company in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater metro area. Jabil serves its global clientele from its home, which comprises several high-growth manufacturing firms like A2 Global, CompuLink, HT Global Circuits, and PlasmaTherm.

Financial Services

Financial Services is the largest employment sector in St. Petersburg, employing thousands of local residents in high-paying careers. Notably, Raymond James, the largest financial services firm outside of Wall Street, is headquartered here. Insurance companies are also thriving, led by ASI, UPC Insurance, and AllState. Meanwhile, fintech is an emerging sub-sector in St. Petersburg. For instance, CrossBorder Solutions, a $1 billion fintech company, recently relocated to St. Petersburg upon advice of their venture capital and institutional backers that the area’s startup scene is thriving.

Data Analytics

St. Petersburg anchors the Florida High Tech Corridor, one of the top 6 high-tech employment centers in the nation and comprises more than half of Florida’s high-tech firms. Data processing, hosting and marketing consulting companies thrive in the area, led by HData Systems, Hyperlink Infosystem, and Omega-R. Larger companies such as Valpak and HSN position the city to capitalize on its growth potential by creating a hub for talent and employment. The data analytics market is projected to grow 40% annually, as the local and global demand for such services continue to grow.