FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TAMPA, Fla. — Innovative solutions addressing women’s health, roadside emergencies, and customized food delivery services took top honors at the inaugural BŪP Innovation Weekend, where early-stage founders built and pitched tech-enabled business ideas in just three days.

Held at South University in Tampa, the hackathon brought together six teams who developed concepts from scratch using AI-powered tools, demonstrating the speed, creativity, and potential of emerging innovators.

Photos: Studio Duvall Productions

The Winning Pitches

• 1st Place: Alyra — Awarded $2,000 in cash plus executive coaching from Diane Buckley-Altwies of Core Performance Concepts. The winning team, Tonya B. Wright and Kaysara Facen, developed an app offering a unique approach to addressing perimenopausal symptoms, an area often overlooked in traditional care.
• 2nd Place: 2Fast Roadside Assistance — Fabian St. Hubert, Joshua Johnson, and Erin Ostrowsky were awarded $1,000 in cash for their rapid-response roadside support concept, designed to connect drivers with local auto shops for assistance within 30 minutes.
• 3rd Place: SmartEats — Harry Brown was awarded an “Executive Brand Elevation” experience from Emmy Award-winning storyteller Kathy Times, designed to strengthen his personal brand and leadership presence.

“Everything starts with an idea. As long as you have the right mindset, vision, and support, anything is possible. My co-founder and I started off as strangers. We did not know each other before the weekend. And now we are partners. It is unreal.”

“The idea for this pitch was not mine, but I know how to spot a good idea. I’m glad I decided to work with Tonya on a winning concept.”

The event is the brainchild of Tampa-based Martika Jones, who launched the company with her husband, George Jones III. The couple relocated to Tampa from Mississippi and made a decisive pivot into the tech space after the pandemic sparked a shift in their professional journey.

“At 31, I’m still actively building and working toward my own goals. I created BŪP Innovation Weekend because I know what it feels like to need support, structure, and a community that pushes you forward. This is about giving founders the space and resources to move from idea to action.”

Jones is grateful to coaches, speakers, and judges who shared their unique expertise in tech and managing multi-million and billion dollar deals and systems.

The hackathon also received support from community-minded sponsors, including Suncoast Credit Union, reinforcing a shared commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in the region.

Participants left the weekend with stronger business strategies, clearer messaging, and increased confidence in their ability to compete in the tech marketplace.

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