Andrews Strategic Holdings says its Tampa Bay Small Business & Opportunity Day will be held Saturday, Aug. 15, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park.

The free event is intended to bring together Hillsborough County small-business owners, job seekers, students and families. Andrews Strategic Holdings, or ASH, said the University of South Florida, CareerSource Tampa Bay and the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce are participating, along with several companies in the ASH portfolio. Gulf Coast Wrestling Alliance is also slated to provide community entertainment.

For small-business owners, ASH plans to offer on-site one-on-one consultations on financial planning, business analytics, technology, cybersecurity, operations and growth strategy. Attendees will also be able to connect with local businesses, vendors and community resources, according to Chris Andrews, founder and chief executive officer of the Tampa-based firm.

The event will include a Tampa Bay Founder Challenge for Florida-based companies. ASH said five finalists will be selected based on business viability, growth potential, local economic impact and execution strategy. Finalists will pitch an ASH investment panel during the event. The winner may receive consideration for up to $100,000 in investment, subject to a formal 30-day due-diligence review.

ASH has set Wednesday, Aug. 12, at 6 p.m. as the application deadline for both the Founder Challenge and a complimentary Local Business Marketplace. The company said selected applicants will be notified by Thursday, Aug. 13. Marketplace space is limited, with priority given to Hillsborough County-based, locally owned businesses, particularly those with fewer than 50 employees.

Registration details and application instructions are to be published through ASH’s official company page and event announcements, with participating partners also distributing information through their networks. Andrews said ASH also plans outreach to local business organizations, neighborhood groups, incubators, minority- and women-owned business networks, veteran entrepreneurs and newer founders.

For residents focused on work and training, ASH said representatives from Tampa Growth Analytics, Tampa Digital Solutions Lab, Gulf Coast Startup Accelerator, Gulf Coast Cyber Defense Lab and Gulf Coast Wrestling Alliance will discuss employment, internship and professional-development opportunities. CareerSource Tampa Bay will anchor a Career & Skills Pavilion with résumé assistance, employment resources and connections to training programs.

ASH has not yet provided a count of available jobs or internships. Andrews said the company expects to publish a final employer roster and opportunity categories by noon Friday, Aug. 14. At the event, attendees will be able to speak with recruiters, submit résumés and express interest in future openings. Initial screenings or interviews may be available where participating employers have capacity, though ASH said formal on-site interviews are not guaranteed at every organization.

Afterward, ASH says it intends to issue a community impact summary covering attendance, participating businesses, marketplace vendors, Founder Challenge activity and participation in career and business-support programs. The company also plans to track follow-up measures where possible, including résumé submissions, screenings, referrals, mentorship connections and businesses entering formal investment-review conversations.

For local residents, the practical question will be whether the event turns those offerings into usable next steps: a direct employer contact, training referral, business advice or a path to further review. ASH has said it will report the results so the community can assess what came from the day.