CEO & FounderTampa Bay Wave Linda Olson is the CEO & founder of Tampa Bay Wave (WAVE), the #3 Accelerator in the U.S. and #1 in Florida’s as ranked by TIME magazine in 2026. Since launching these world-class programs in 2013, WAVE has now supported 700 startups who collectively have raised $1.8 billion and created 7,300 jobs (with 32 exits). To date, Linda has raised over $30 million from sponsors, donors, foundations, and more to fund the nonprofit mission, including more than $20 million in federal grants. After starting her career in Big4 management & technology consulting, Linda has worked with tech startups and venture capital since 1999. She has Masters and BS degrees from Florida State University, and an MBA from Columbia University. A native of St. Pete Beach, Linda enjoys spending time with her family, including her two daughters whom she is raising to be future female entrepreneurs in Tampa Bay. Honors & Recognition: – Startup America Partnership (founding member) – Startup Champions Network (founding member) – Honorary Commander, MacDill Air Force Base – Leadership Tampa, Class 2018 – Leadership Florida, Cornerstone Class #39 (2022) – U.S. delegation to Global Entrepreneurship Congress in Bahrain (2019) and Riyadh (2022) – 2018 Business Woman of the Year Honoree (Tampa Bay Business Journal) – 2019 Community Dedication & Leadership Awardee (Tampa Bay Tech) – 2022 Angie Joseph Excellence in Mentoring award recipient (Tampa Bay Business Journal) – 2023 Tampa Bay Business Woman Honoree (Tampa Bay Business & Wealth) – 2023 Girls Inc. of Pinellas, Women in STEAM Honoree – 2026 Tampa Bay Business & Wealth Apogee Award Honoree