# Linda Olson

> Linda Olson is the Tampa-based founder, president and CEO of Tampa Bay Wave, a nonprofit technology startup accelerator that began as a peer meetup in 2008. Her career spans technology consulting, startups and community building. Wave launched accelerator programs in 2013; by September 2026, its portfolio companies had raised more than $2 billion. Olson advocates for a region where founders can build companies and the next generation can pursue careers close to home.

- **Role:** Founder, President and CEO at Tampa Bay Wave
- **Organizations:** Tampa Bay Wave, Arthur Andersen, Startup Champions Network, Startup America Partnership
- **From:** St. Petersburg, United States
- **Education:** Bachelor of Science; accounting studies, Florida State University, Master’s degree; information-systems training, Florida State University, MBA, Columbia Business School
- **Known for:** Led the effort for the 2012 $1 million EDA grant that helped launch Wave’s formal accelerator operations., Tampa Bay Tech Community Dedication and Leadership award, 2019., Angie Joseph Excellence in Mentorship Award, 2022.

## Career timeline

- **Early career** — Managed software implementation projects for large companies as an Arthur Andersen consultant.
- **1999** — Began working with tech startups and venture capital.
- **2005** — Completed an MBA at Columbia Business School, according to Crunchbase.
- **2006** — Returned to the Tampa Bay area after time in Boston and New York.
- **2008** — Founded the peer meetup that became Tampa Bay Wave.
- **2012** — Led the regional effort securing a $1 million EDA grant in partnership with USF.
- **2013** — Wave launched venture center and accelerator programs.
- **2018** — Nielsen Foundation began backing the TechDiversity Accelerator.
- **2019** — Received Tampa Bay Tech’s Community Dedication and Leadership award.
- **2022** — Received the Angie Joseph Excellence in Mentorship Award and testified before a U.S. House subcommittee on December 14.
- **2024** — Wave portfolio companies reached $1 billion in cumulative capital raised in October.
- **2026** — Wave portfolio companies exceeded $2 billion in cumulative capital raised by September.

## Achievements

- Led the effort for the 2012 $1 million EDA grant that helped launch Wave’s formal accelerator operations.
- Tampa Bay Tech Community Dedication and Leadership award, 2019.
- Angie Joseph Excellence in Mentorship Award, 2022.
- Testified at the U.S. House Research and Technology Subcommittee hearing on regional innovation on December 14, 2022.
- Under her leadership, Wave’s portfolio exceeded $2 billion in cumulative capital raised by September 2026.
- Wave was ranked No. 3 among U.S. startup accelerators and No. 1 in Florida by TIME in 2026.

## Latest updates

- **2026-09** — Wave reported more than $2 billion raised by 670-plus portfolio companies, 45 accelerator programs, 34 exits and more than 7,600 jobs.
- **2026-08** — TIME ranked Wave No. 3 among U.S. startup accelerators and No. 1 in Florida.
- **2026-04** — At Tampa Bay Tech Week, Olson discussed talent across engineering, product, marketing, finance and operations, and the continuing business fundamentals required alongside AI tools.

## Links

- Website: https://www.tampabaywave.org/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindakolson
- Twitter/X: https://x.com/womlinda

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/linda-olson
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-26