Start Up Day Across America got its start in 2013, founded by United States Representatives, Jared Polis and Darrell Issa, who were looking to drive national support and awareness for new entrepreneurs and small business owners.

While the event seems to have languished nationally, FCDI dusted it off in 2025 for an Uptown Tampa Edition, which we’re excited to bring to life again this year with an Equity in Entrepreneurship Showcase, featuring recent and alumni businesses from our early stage entrepreneurship program, tours of AMRoC Fab Lab with info on small business support resources for prototyping, rapid fabrication & micro-manufacturing services, small business workshops, and two exciting launches: our new Big Idea Brew Club in partnership with Dynamic Transformation & Growth Services, LLC,  and the opening of our Makers Market at AMROC Fab Lab.