New Tampa Bay Founder Support Group Launches

Momentum Partners Exchange (MPX), a new business organization, debuted Sept. 15 to connect company founders with experienced executives, advisers and investors. The group aims to help entrepreneurs manage business growth and operations across the Tampa Bay region.

The inaugural MPX event drew 74 founders, executives, investors, advisers and strategic partners to Tampa’s Centre Club. The sold-out gathering featured entrepreneur and former Fintech CEO Scott Riley.

MPX's core philosophy centers on members sharing expertise, contacts and resources. Diane Buckley-Altwies, a founding partner of MPX, said founder communities need "real conversations about scaling, fundraising, mistakes and execution." She noted the strong turnout indicates Tampa Bay is "ready for something different."

The launch event included an unscripted discussion with Riley, whose career spans advertising, media, marketing and payments. He previously built and sold an advertising agency, co-founded several media and marketing companies and helped launch the GTE St. Pete Grand Prix.

Riley also served more than 13 years as CEO of Tampa-based Financial Information Technologies, known as Fintech. The company manages invoices, payments and operations for the alcohol, retail and hospitality industries. Private equity firm TA Associates invested in Fintech in 2018, the same year Riley sold most of his stake.

"Tampa Bay has the talent and the drive to build great companies," Riley said in a release. "What founders need most is access to people who have been there. MPX is creating that access, and I was proud to be part of the first conversation."

MPX plans to collaborate with existing regional business support organizations. The next "Founder Conversations" event is scheduled for Dec. 2. MPX targets growth-oriented founders and focuses on connecting them with local business leaders and strategic partners. The Tampa Bay area also hosts other entrepreneur support organizations like Tampa Bay Wave and Embarc Collective.