By: Jessica McKnight Photography
On October 15, 2026, business leaders, entrepreneurs, construction professionals, technology innovators, and members of the Tampa Bay community gathered at The Floridian Social in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida, for the highly anticipated launch of Indigo.
The evening brought together an impressive cross-section of the local business and civic community, including gubernatorial candidates, mayors, city council members, CEOs, and representatives from the construction and technology industries.
Hosted in one of downtown St. Petersburg's most distinctive historic venues, the celebration combined the introduction of an innovative new technology platform with an evening of conversation, entertainment, and meaningful connections.
Founded by Matthew Cleary, Indigo is a St. Petersburg-based construction technology company designed to bring greater transparency, organization, and accountability to residential construction, renovations, and home improvement projects.
Anyone who has hired a contractor knows that even a seemingly straightforward renovation can become complicated. From finding qualified professionals and managing budgets to tracking progress, reviewing documentation, and keeping communication organized, homeowners are often left navigating a process they don't encounter every day.
That's the problem Indigo aims to address.
The platform gives homeowners tools to claim their property, register construction projects, find or add contractors, organize project information, document progress, and identify potential risks before they become bigger problems.
Powered by RiskFeed, Indigo incorporates artificial intelligence into several areas of its technology, including risk assessment, contractor matching, document analysis, and photo review.
One particularly interesting feature is Dig, an AI-powered virtual assistant designed to help users navigate the platform and better understand potential project concerns.
For contractors, Indigo also creates opportunities to connect with homeowners, communicate about projects, and participate in a more organized construction process.
The company's larger vision is to create a more transparent relationship between homeowners and contractors, helping both sides approach construction projects with greater confidence.
Matthew Cleary's experience in construction operations and risk management played a significant role in bringing Indigo to life.
After experiencing a costly contractor dispute himself, Cleary recognized how vulnerable homeowners can be when navigating construction projects without the tools, information, and resources available to larger commercial construction operations.
That experience inspired him to develop a platform that could bring a greater level of organization and accountability to residential construction.
Joining him in bringing the technology to life was technical lead Verdi Ergün, whose work helped integrate artificial intelligence throughout the platform.
The October launch celebration represented years of development, collaboration, and determination to introduce a new approach to an industry that affects homeowners across the country.
The setting for the Indigo launch party was just as memorable as the occasion itself.
Located in the heart of downtown St. Petersburg, The Floridian Social provided a sophisticated backdrop for the evening's celebration.
Originally constructed in 1924 as the Alexander National Bank, the historic building later became the beloved State Theatre before being transformed into The Floridian Social.
Its distinctive Art Deco architecture, dramatic interior, theater-style atmosphere, and carefully restored historic details make it one of the more recognizable event destinations in downtown St. Petersburg.
With more than 9,000 square feet of event space, a central performance stage, mezzanine, and modern audiovisual capabilities, the venue offers an interesting combination of historic character and contemporary event design.
For the Indigo launch, it provided an ideal environment for welcoming business leaders, introducing new technology, and bringing together guests from across the Tampa Bay region.
Beyond the technology presentation, the Indigo launch was an opportunity for members of the business and civic community to connect.
Guests had the opportunity to explore the platform, learn about its features, meet members of the Indigo team, and participate in conversations about the future of residential construction and contractor accountability.
Live entertainment and presentations added another dimension to the evening, creating an atmosphere that extended beyond a traditional corporate launch.
From conversations between industry professionals to the celebration of a new St. Petersburg-founded company, the evening reflected the entrepreneurial energy and growing technology community throughout Tampa Bay.
Indigo's vision also extends beyond construction technology.
The company is developing The Dig Foundation, a nonprofit initiative intended to support trade education through grants, scholarships, and opportunities for young people pursuing careers in skilled trades.
With the construction industry facing an ongoing shortage of skilled workers, supporting trade schools and creating pathways into construction careers is an important part of the company's broader vision.
It's an initiative that connects the technology behind Indigo with an investment in the people and professionals who will shape the future of the construction industry.
With more than 30 years of experience as a professional photographer, entrepreneur, and visual storyteller, Jessica McKnight brings a unique perspective to corporate events and brand photography. Photographing an event like the Indigo launch requires more than documenting who attended; it takes an understanding of business, branding, timing, and the ability to anticipate the moments that tell the bigger story. From executive introductions and candid conversations to the energy of live performances, presentations, networking, and the finer details of the evening, Jessica approaches event photography with an editorial eye and an emphasis on authentic storytelling.
Her goal is to create a sophisticated, comprehensive collection of images that captures not only what happened, but the atmosphere, personality, and significance of the occasion. These photographs become valuable visual assets for company websites, press releases, social media, marketing campaigns, and future brand storytelling.
The Indigo launch party was more than the introduction of a new app. It marked an exciting step for a St. Petersburg-founded company with ambitions to make residential construction more transparent, connected, and manageable.
Bringing together leaders from business, government, construction, and technology, the evening celebrated entrepreneurship, collaboration, and the possibilities of innovation.
For Jessica McKnight Photography, capturing events like this is about preserving more than the decorations and details. It's about documenting the people, atmosphere, connections, and defining moments behind an important occasion.
From corporate launch parties and executive gatherings to brand activations, grand openings, and private celebrations, professional event photography gives businesses a collection of images they can use to tell their story long after the evening ends.
Congratulations to Matthew Cleary, Verdi Ergün, and the entire Indigo team on the official launch.
Learn more about Indigo at StartIndigo.com.
Planning a company launch, corporate celebration, networking event, or brand activation in Tampa Bay?
Jessica McKnight Photography provides professional corporate event photography in St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Tampa, and throughout the greater Tampa Bay area.
With more than three decades of photography experience, Jessica creates polished, engaging event imagery that helps businesses showcase their people, milestones, and brand identity.
Visit JessicaMcKnight.com to inquire about corporate event photography and coverage for your next event.