Miami has attracted world-class technology investors and businesses this year – and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation wants to keep that momentum going.
To do that, the nonprofit announced it invested $510,000 in four Miami-based organizations committed to empowering local tech talent. The chosen initiatives are all building communities designed to support local entrepreneurs and venture builders, said Raul Moas, director of the Knight Foundation's Miami program.
"They are creating on-ramps through which Miamians — including new residents — can plug into our tech economy and be welcomed into the startup community," he said.
Miami-Dade County was one of the Knight Foundation recipients. The county will use the funds to establish a technology and innovation adviser who will serve in the office of Mayor Daniella Levine Cava.
Francesca de Quesada Covey, a partner at TheVentureCity who previously held roles at Facebook and the White House, will be the first person in that role. Levine Cava said the adviser will focus on growing the county's technology sector in a way that emphasizes inclusivity.
"It’s more essential than ever that we harness the momentum of Miami’s continued growth as a tech hub to expand opportunity for residents across our community – and at the same time leverage the spirit of innovation and collaboration with leading entrepreneurs to tackle some of our greatest challenges," she said.
The four organizations that received an award are:
Haitians in Tech ($150,000): The funds will be used to support the city's community of aspiring and established Haitian technologists.
Local Leaders Collective ($140,000): The membership organization provides space and tools to help founders support each other and their businesses.
Miami-Dade County ($120,000): As noted, the county will create a new technology and innovation adviser in the office of Miami-Dade County Mayor Levine Cava. The adviser will be tasked with accelerating the growth of the county's technology sector.
The Shrimp Society ($100,000): The gift will support the growth of the Shrimp Society, a community of early-stage founders and early-career venture builders in South Florida.
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