A drive to win distinguishes 40 Under 40 class of 2025

Jake Halusic was just getting settled into a banking career when he decided to approach prominent Tampa tech entrepreneur Tony DiBenedetto about becoming an investor. Not in the bank, but Halusic, a recent University of Tampa graduate, was mulling a software startup idea.  

Halusic never got around to showing DiBenedetto his business plan that day. But DiBenedetto liked Halusic’s drive and spirit, and offered him a sales job at the company he had founded, Tribridge. The pair developed a friendship, with DiBenedetto also becoming a key mentor for Halusic.

The lessons Halusic, who went on to launch his own software company, Trofeo, learned from DiBenedetto range from philosophical to practical and include to be where your feet are; be a giver; and when you get the answer you want, get out of the room.