Latin innovators tap into Tampa's tech scene

LatinTech innovators from around the world are trying to make it big in Tampa Bay.

Driving the news: Tampa Bay Wave and Tampa Bay Latin Chamber of Commerce's first LatinTech Accelerator began this week.

Details: The leaders of 15 companies that are majority owned, controlled and operated by people of Latin heritage or who are from Latin America will go through the 90-day program.

• Executive coaching and preparation for investor meetings lead up to a pitch night, where founders present their innovations to national and international investors, community leaders and media.

Five companies we're watching:

1. Allergood: A North Carolina-based company that partners with restaurants to create interactive menus that filter for allergens and dietary preferences.
2. DaVinci Wearables: A California-based company hoping to "transform cycle health into a superpower" for women cyclists with its "underwearable" product: patent-pending sensor technology that collects and feeds data to AI-powered software that gives recommendations unique to the female physiology.
3. Miss Berni: Founded in Chile, the company recruits teachers from Latin America for U.S. schools.
4. Videomart: A blockchain-powered, video-on-demand marketplace founded in Los Angeles.
5. WAS CO: A Mexico-based company that uses recycled plastic and mining waste to make sustainable building materials, and offers large-volume waste solutions.