Originally posted on the StartupBus blog.

Just a couple weeks ago we were a bunch of strangers drinking in a bar in downtown Tampa. It’s incredible how much has happened in such a short time – we traveled across America, created four amazing startups, pitched to tech communities in different cities all over the south and most importantly, found 24 awesome and crazy new friends… all while on a bus.

Our 1,500+ mile trip to SXSW onboard StartupBus Florida was one heck of an adventure. The highlight of which was when BumperCrop won runner up at SXSW! With steep competition from 55 other teams from all over the US and Mexico, having a Florida company take the #2 spot was quite an honor!

Greg and I feel very lucky and proud to be part of this crew (which, in our humble opinions, is the most cohesive, chill and good-looking group of StartupBus 2012). All four of our teams are still working on their startups, and all have big plans! If you haven’t already, check them out below.

The four Florida teams:

BumperCrop

Grow your Own, Sell your Extra – A platform for connecting conscious consumers with passionate growers

At BumperCrop, we’re doing more than helping to grow local crops. We are growing communities. Promoting healthy lifestyles. And, providing the tools needed to build a local economy, and make it flourish.

http://www.bumpercrop.co / On Facebook: BumperCrop / On Twitter: @_BumperCrop

Give or Dare

Outrageous stunts by famous celebs with frenzied fans to raise money for great causes

Give or Dare is a social engagement platform that challenges celebrities to do outrageous stunts for their fans, creating viral entertainment that directly benefits worthy causes.

Give or Dare, a new Tampa-based startup, is tapping into human psyche behind outrageous stunts and competitive spirit to set the charity fundraising world ablaze!

Give or Dare is betting that your favorite sports personalities or tabloid celebrities will do outrageous dares for great causes and that you would be willing to pay (or donate) in make them do it.

http://giveordare.com / On Facebook: Give Or Dare / On Twitter: @giveordare

Invest Your Heart

A collaborative social change investment platform for people who realize what’s in your heart is just as valuable as what’s in your wallet – and for nonprofits who realize we’re all in this together.

InvestYourHeart creates an opportunity for heartful, conscious, intentional giving to causes you care about. Each time you invest, you’ll be invited to share what’s in your heart while you’re making the investment by creating a “heartspace”. These “heartspaces” will be visually displayed on the landing page, and contributors will be able to offer them as virtual gifts to friends and family by designating a contribution in their honor.

Instead of initiating separate, independent fundraising & social action campaigns for each project on the site, instead, we’ll mount themed campaigns in which like-minded nonprofits may participate as affiliates. By collaborating common campaigns, we can achieve critical mass that attracts more visibility and resources to all participating projects.

http://investyourheart.com / On Facebook: Invest Your Heart / On Twitter: @investyourheart

PopcornU

Your ticket to livingroom learning

PopcornU enhances your child’s viewing experience by adding creative problem solving engagements that align with the movie’s storyline. Learning experiences vary based on interests, reading skills, and targeted academic goals.

Our software incorporates synchronization technology that ‘listens’ to the movie, pausing playback at appropriate points to present your child with a challenge. PopcornU then gives positive feedback and reward points for each correct response, combining movies, fun, and learning!

http://popcornu.com / On Facebook: PopcornU / On Twitter: @Popcorn_U

Just some of the press about us:

– StartupBus pulling out of Tampa, filled with 30 locals who hope to pitch million dollar ideas – ABC Action News – 3/6 [Video]
– StartupBus launches from Tampa to compete at SXSW – Creative Loafing – 3/6
– StartupBus Florida: Notes from the Road – Creative Loafing – 3/11
– Startup Florida: Riding The Innovation Highway, Tampa Bay – 83 Degrees – 3/14
– Congratulations to StartupBus Florida! – TBTF – 3/16
– Bus trip to Austin bolsters startup culture in Tampa Bay – Tampa Bay Times – 3/18 [In Print]
– Catching the StartUpBus: Tampa’s StartupBus makes a strong showing at SXSWi. - Creative Loafing – 3/19

Join us tonight!

StartupBus Florida Demo Day & Post Bus Bash

Friday, March 23 at 6:30pm at The Roosevelt 2.0

Come out and see all four of our amazing teams demo what they’ve been working so hard on over the last couple weeks. There will be great art, live music, good food, cold drinks, and of course — plenty of fun for all who come out. Food trucks and a cash bar. How much more SXSW could it get?!

This event is in partnership with UT’s SEEC event: Self Employment In The Arts

Stay connected:

Follow our Buspreneurs Twitter list and all of the buspreneurs on it!

Follow @StartupBusFL and find us on Facebook.

Interested in being a part of next year? Sign up now!

Oodles of love,

Jessica Barnett (StartupBus FL Co-conductor) & Greg Ross-Munro (StartupBus FL Conductor)