Aakash Patel

About Aakash Patel

Aakash Patel has achieved considerable acclaim for his outstanding capabilities in business consulting, civic engagement, and leadership development. Recognized throughout the Tampa Bay region, he is the founder of the business consulting firm, Elevate Inc.

In addition to his work with Elevate, Aakash has also been instrumental in helping hundreds of companies establish a strong presence and forge meaningful connections in their respective communities. Even today, his influence continues to be felt in the public service sector, his many advisory roles, and his efforts to foster community growth and collaboration.

In 2012, Aakash launched Elevate Inc., a strategic business consulting company specializing in public relations, community relations, targeted networking, and social media. To date, Elevate Inc. has assisted more than 350 companies in building strong relationships that ultimately netted tangible benefits.

Much of Aakash’s success can be attributed to his ability to connect people and organizations. This capability was honed over time, from his early media experience to his hospitality-related endeavors. He especially values the time he spent as an editorial assistant with the Tampa Bay Times Tallahassee Bureau and as public relations coordinator for Westin Tampa Bay and Aqua restaurant.

Aakash eventually extended his business development leadership acumen into the digital space when he became Chamber.com’s founding business development director. From a humble handful, the platform’s member base eventually grew to more than one million worldwide.

Aakash Patel’s career is marked by his consistent focus on promising startups and entrepreneurs. But he is just as passionate in his support of impact-driven projects. This is evident in his public service record, which demonstrates his involvement in initiatives to expand educational opportunities and foster workforce preparedness.

In 2021, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis appointed Aakash to the Hillsborough Community College District Board of Trustees for a four-year term. He has also served concurrently as Chairman of the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County since 2014, further underscoring his education-focused leadership.

Unsurprisingly, Aakash has served on many advisory and governance boards. In these roles, he consistently demonstrated expertise in economic development, banking, and nonprofit strategy. Positions on the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council Board of Directors and the Visit Tampa Bay Advisory Board allowed him ample opportunity to engage closely with elected officials. This was crucial in Aakash’s efforts to further local educational initiatives and identify opportunities for improvement.