This "ecosystem at a glance guide" is the place to start for anyone who wants an introduction to South Florida's startup ecosystem.
Jock Fistick / South Florida Business Journal
Access to investors, support groups and accelerator programs can make or break a young company.
That's why it's key for entrepreneurs to understand the community of founders, funding mechanisms and events that make up a region's technology sector.
This "ecosystem at a glance guide" is the place to start for anyone who wants an introduction to South Florida's startup ecosystem. It can also serve as a refresher for veteran founders who need a reminder of the resources that exist to support first-time and serial entrepreneurs across Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties.
Check out the guide below for a breakdown of the people, companies, startups and accelerators at the forefront of the region's innovation economy.
Unicorns
Reef Technology is one of the region’s few “unicorn” technology startups, with a valuation of over $1 billion.
Lauren Gilliam
Private companies in the tri-county area valued at $1 billion or more
- Magic Leap | "The maker of a lightweight, wearable computer with enterprise-ready solutions that are designed to increase productivity in the workforce."
- Kaseya | "Provides IT Management Software to MSPs and IT Teams to improve efficiency and security."
- Pipe | "Pipe transforms recurring revenue into upfront capital for growth without debt or dilution."
- Reef Technology | "Reef is the largest operator of mobility, logistics hubs & neighborhood kitchens in North America with a network of 4500 locations and 15000 employees."
Notable companies and early stage startups
The Chewy offices in Dania Beach.
Jock Fistick
South Florida is home to publicly traded technology companies and early-stage startups in a variety of industries, including medical technology, financial technology, real estate technology, e-commerce and more.
- Blockchain.com | "The world's most popular way to buy, sell and trade crypto."
- Caribu | "The best family video-calling app integrating children's books and activities - a truly engaging experience for kids and their families."
- Chewy | "Our mission is to be the most trusted and convenient online destination for pet parents (and partners), everywhere."
- Cyxtera | "Cyxtera provides data center colocation, enterprise bare metal, and interconnectivity services from a footprint of 62 data centers around the world."
- Eight Sleep | "We make products that improve your sleep through personalized temperature, smarter data, and patented technology."
- Honorlock | "Honorlock provides on-demand online proctoring services for schools and universities"
- Lula | "Companies of all sizes - from startups to multinational corporations - use Lula’s software and APIs to handle all of their insurance needs, from industry standard coverage and policy management, to claims handling and more."
- Marco Financial | "The U.S. and Latin America's first tech-enabled financing platform built for small and medium-sized businesses."
- Modernizing Medicine | "Transforming health care through intelligent specialty-specific platforms that increase practice efficiency and improve patient outcomes."
- Nymbus | "Nymbus goes beyond 'standing up' a bank with the people, process and technology to get to market quickly – all at a lower customer acquisition cost than a traditional bank model."
- OpenStore | "We buy direct-to-consumer brands from founders looking for a reliable exit."
- Papa | "Papa pairs older adults and families with Papa Pals for companionship and assistance with everyday tasks."
- Neocis | "Neocis, the first dental robotics company, is committed to enhancing dental surgeons’ capabilities and advancing patient care."
- ShipMonk | "At ShipMonk, we are here to help you build your business by providing industry-leading order fulfillment services and inventory management software."
- SpringBig | "The leading provider of marketing software to the cannabis industry."
Higher Education
The University of Miami in Coral Gables
Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties have a strong mix of public and private universities and community college systems.
Incubators/Accelerators
The Alan B. Levan NSU Broward Center of Innovation was created to support and promote innovation and leadership in the tech sector.
Jock Fistick / South Florida Business Journal
- 500 Startups Miami | "We are bringing our world-class resources, expertise and network to support founders, investors, corporates to our community in Miami."
- Alan B. Levan | NSU Broward Center of Innovation | "The Levan Center of Innovation is focused on three themes (innovation, technology, entrepreneurship) and four pillars (Ideate, Incubate, Accelerate, Post-Accelerate)."
- Broward College Entrepreneurial Experience | "We not only launch startups, we cultivate a lifelong entrepreneurial mindset."
- Endeavor Miami | "Leading the high-impact entrepreneurship movement in South Florida and beyond."
- FAU Tech Runway | "A South Florida public-private partnership that serves as a hub to accelerate technology development and incubate startup companies."
- The Idea Center at Miami Dade College | "We are a support network for all Miami Dade College students and community members to make creative, innovative and entrepreneurial ideas come true."
- Research Park at FAU | "Our mission is to promote scientific research and development in affiliation with Florida Atlantic University, to foster economic development and broaden the economic base of Broward and Palm Beach counties."
- Startup FIU | "A university-wide innovation hub that fosters and develops entrepreneurship and innovation to help our students, researchers, and community."
- TheVentureCity | "We are founders and operators turned investors that invest internationally in software companies: B2B, B2C, Marketplaces and SaaS."
- The Launch Pad at the University of Miami | "The entrepreneurship center for UM is your resource for connecting with other entrepreneurs in the Hurricane community."
- Venture Hive | "The Venture Hive Accelerator is a part-time program to take your concept or business to the next level."
- Women Innovating Now (WIN) Lab | "WIN Lab is a different kind of venture accelerator, one that broadens the possibilities for women entrepreneurs capable of making a dynamic economic impact"
Startup Resources and support groups:
eMerge Americas 2019
Emon Reiser/South Florida Business Journal
- 35 Mules | "Provides early-stage startups with financial and marketing mentors, advanced technology solutions, business services, and world-class facilities with access to Fortune 200 corporate and technology leaders."
- Arora Project | "We raise capital for high-growth ventures"
- Black Angels Miami | "Exposing diverse angel investors to spectacular early-stage companies."
- Center for Black Innovation | "A think tank and Black innovation ecosystem building organization with the understanding that smart cities and communities are formed by cultivating great leaders, entrepreneurs, and real capital pathways that values black culture and communities as our greatest asset."
- eMerge Americas | "At eMerge Americas, we’re transforming Miami into the tech hub of the Americas by partnering with the entire tech and entrepreneurial ecosystem, from government to higher-ed, startups to investors, corporate enterprises to media."
- LAB Ventures | "A proptech focused VC fund and startup studio dedicated to accelerating early stage real estate companies."
- Pareto Holdings | "Building world-changing companies in sunny Miami."
- Refresh Miami | "A nonprofit organization dedicated to organizing Miami tech networking events meant to connect Miami's tech scene and startup community."
- SeedInvest | "A leading equity crowdfunding platform that provides individual investors with access to pre-vetted startup investment opportunities."
- Tech Gateway | "A public/private partnership to grow, attract and retain technology business, capital and talent."
- Tech Hub South Florida | "A nonprofit 501(c)6 membership association building the software, engineering, digital, and information technology industry verticals in South Florida."
- The LAB Miami | "Located in the heart of the vibrant Wynwood Arts District, the LAB is Miami's original co-working community."
Community Builders
South Florida's list of technology entrepreneurs, investors and nonprofit leaders is growing by the day. Here are some of the community builders you need to know.
- Brian Breslin, founder and chairman, Refresh Miami
- Leigh-Ann Buchanan, president, Aire Ventures
- Nikki Cabus, interim CEO, Tech Hub South Florida
- Kevin Cadette, executive director, Black Angels Miami
- Claudia Duran, managing director, Endeavor Miami
- Ja'dan Johnson, founder, Miami Hack Week
- Melissa Krinzman, co-founder, Krillion Ventures, and City of Miami Venture Capitalist in Residence
- Melissa Medina, president, eMerge Americas
- Matt Haggman, Executive VP, One Community One Goal at The Miami-Dade Beacon Council
- Maria Derchi Rosso, director of community, Florida Funders and executive director, Refresh Miami
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