Corporate report

TAMPA BAY
Brewery expands, pours into Tampa
Saltwater Brewery, a Delray Beach-based microbrewery, expanded into Tampa through a partnership with Florida Distributing Co. and J.J. Taylor Cos. Inc., according to a statement.

With the partnership, Saltwater Brewery will also break into the Orlando market, the statement says. Its beer is available on tap and in cans in 27 counties statewide.

Saltwater Brewery's brand revolves around the ocean, and the company donates a portion of its profits to ocean-related charities, the statement says. Saltwater Brewery was founded in 2013, when it was the first local production microbrewery with a tasting room in Delray Beach. The brewery has six primary beers available, including an IPA and a milk stout distributed in cans.

St. Pete firm receives $1.1M investment
TAO Connect, a St. Petersburg-based firm that provides a platform of tools for online mental health treatment, received $1.1 million in funding.

The money is from Florida Funders, Florida Angels Network and New World Angels, according to a statement.

TAO Connect initially started with a focus on college students suffering from depression and anxiety. “Following the funding, the firm plans to “address the growing demand for mental health services in non-university settings,” the statement says. Target markets include veteran services, private practice therapists and Medicare patients.

CHARLOTTE-LEE-COLLIER
Partnership adds board member
The Southwest Florida Regional Technology Partnership elected Judy Wynekoop to its board of directors, according to a release.

Wynekoop is currently the associate dean for the Lutgert College of Business at Florida Gulf Coast University. She also served as professor and chair of the department of information services and operations management at FGCU.

“With her background, along with interest and alignment to promote technology in the southwest Florida region, the Technology Partnership continues to develop our opportunities in the community, says Marc Farron, president of the partnership, in the statement.

The partnership was founded in 2008.

Naples duo forms legal practice
Laird Lile and M. Travis Hayes have teamed up to form Lile & Hayes PLLC, a legal practice that specializes in estate and trust-related matters, according to a statement.

The Naples-based firm will focus on estate planning, estate and trust administration, probate-related litigation and tax matters. Lile is board certified in wills, trusts and estates and is a fellow of the American College of Trust & Estate Counsel. Hayes was named a top 40 Under 40 trust and estate attorney in Florida by the American Society of Legal Advocates and previously served as a principal for Cummings & Lockwood LLC.

SARASOTA-MANATEE
Daytime Cafe continues nationwide expansion
First Watch Restaurants, a breakfast, brunch and lunch chain, will open its first Philadelphia-area restaurant March 7.

First Watch initially broke into the Pennsylvania market in 2007, according to a statement. It wanted to expand into the Philadelphia area for years, First Watch President Chris Tomasso adds in the statement.

First Watch seeks to continue its rapid growth rate in 2016. In May, the franchise had 153 locations. It nearly doubled in size when it acquired 114 The Egg & I restaurants that month. The chain now has more than 280 restaurants in 26 states.