Return to Newsletter Home Page with Latest Articles and Spotlights

Courtesy of Miami Beach based Andreessen Horowitz or a16z, Miami Beach has access to the a16z Podcast. The a16z Podcast discusses tech and culture trends, news, and the future. It features industry experts, business leaders, and other interesting thinkers and voices from around the world to our backyard. Listen, learn and connect with entrepreneurs, investors, executives, engineers, academics, industry experts and more in the technology ecosystem.

a16z Podcast: How To Understand and Choose a Venture Investor

a16z Podcast: How To Raise Money from a Venture Investor

Miami Beach celebrated National Small Business Week from April 30 to May 6, 2023, and International Economic Development Week May 8 to May 12, 2023! Small businesses play a crucial role in Miami Beach’s economy, accounting for over 90% of all businesses in the area. The Miami Beach business community provides employment opportunities for thousands of people, stimulates innovation, and fosters a sense of community. The Miami Beach Economic Development Department is committed to supporting small businesses by providing technical assistance, access to funding and financing, and networking opportunities. We do this by increasing awareness of local programs, incentives and grants that create jobs, advance career opportunities, build capacity, and improve the quality of life in Miami Beach and beyond.

For more information, visit here.

Return to Newsletter Home Page with Latest Articles and Spotlights

The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) announced that Greater Miami and Miami Beach has been granted the title of “2023 Food City of the Year” by the esteemed food and beverage publication, Bon Appétit. To celebrate, the GMCVB, alongside Miami-Dade County, officially commemorated April 5th as “Food City of the Year Day” to honor the community’s success as a culinary leader and inspire the industry’s growth for years to come.

This announcement comes on the heels of additional culinary honors for Greater Miami and Miami Beach, including new stars awarded by the Michelin Guide, which arrived in Florida for the first time in 2022, as well as advancements in the 2023 James Beard Awards, which recently selected eight local restaurants, chefs and bakeries as semifinalists and one local bakery as a finalist. National news headlines have also spotlighted Miami’s dining scene in recent years, with media outlets Robb Report and Bloomberg dubbing the city as “America’s Hottest Dining Scene” and “the most exciting food city in the country,” respectively.

“These recent recognitions by leading voices in the culinary space validate Greater Miami and Miami Beach’s work and dedication to building and supporting a vibrant food and beverage community,” said David Whitaker, president and CEO of the GMCVB. “Culinary tourism is a strong motivator for travel, and we remain incredibly thankful to the chefs, restaurateurs, mixologists and the event producers who have helped make our local hospitality industry one of the best in the world.”

Today, Greater Miami and Miami Beach’s assortment of dining, entertainment and cultural experiences has proven to be a primary motivator for visitors per a recent Greater Miami and Miami Beach Visitor Industry Report. The report also shows the destination saw a 50% increase in food and gastro-tourism alone in 2021, surpassing pre-pandemic numbers. Propelling this shift is a recent influx of new dining concepts and top-tier culinary talent, in addition to nationally recognized culinary programming that continues to put the destination on the map, such as the annual South Beach Wine & Food Festival and Miami Spice Restaurant Months.

To discover and learn more about the robust restaurant community across Greater Miami and Miami Beach, please visit here.

Return to Newsletter Home Page with Latest Articles and Spotlights

Miami Beach celebrated National Small Business Week from April 30 to May 6, 2023, and International Economic Development Week May 8 to May 12, 2023! Small businesses play a crucial role in Miami Beach’s economy, accounting for over 90% of all businesses in the area. The Miami Beach business community provides employment opportunities for thousands of people, stimulates innovation, and fosters a sense of community. The Miami Beach Economic Development Department is committed to supporting small businesses by providing technical assistance, access to funding and financing, and networking opportunities. We do this by increasing awareness of local programs, incentives and grants that create jobs, advance career opportunities, build capacity, and improve the quality of life in Miami Beach and beyond.

For more information, visit here.

Return to Newsletter Home Page with Latest Articles and Spotlights

On May 10, the New World Symphony (NWS) in Miami Beach hosted the highly anticipated TEDx Miami event. The 2023theme, “Promise of Tomorrow”, served as a beacon of innovation, creativity, and forward-thinking. Mayor Dan Gelber welcomed the 600+ audience, emphasizing Miami Beach as a thriving hub for transformative ideas and initiatives.

The event was a resounding success, featuring a lineup of eminent speakers. Renowned architect Charles Renfro opened discussions with his insights on the evolving role of architecture in modern times. We were treated to the vibrant rhythms of Latinx pop artist Gina Chavez, while Deloitte’s Chief Well-being Officer, Jen Fisher, explored the significance of human-centered organizational cultures.

Dr. Julie Radlauer-Doerfler highlighted the impact of personal connections, and WOHASU’s CEO, Karen Guggenheim, shared her insights on collective post-traumatic growth. Dr. Landolf Rhode-Barbarigos presented innovative strategies to combat rising sea levels, and Leigh-Ann Buchanan, President of the Miami-Dade Innovation Authority, emphasized the importance of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in innovation.

Cybersecurity was brought to the forefront by Ralph Echemendia, the “Ethical Hacker,” who provided a gripping look at personal cyber security. The event was further enriched by a surprise performance by his daughter, who performed her original song, “Privacy.” The day concluded with a vibrant performance by artist Romero Britto, encapsulating the joyful spirit of his art.

As we reflect on the “Promise of Tomorrow”, the TEDx Miami event was not just a gathering, but a living narrative of the future we strive to create. Looking forward to the return of TEDx Miami, we remain committed to nurturing these inspiring ideas into actionable realities for the prosperity of our city.

Return to Newsletter Home Page with Latest Articles and Spotlights

eMerge Americas 2023 was a testament to the growing tech environment in Greater Miami, attracting over 15,000 attendees and 400 exhibiting companies from around the world. The conference, held on May 20th and 21st at the Miami Beach Convention Center, showcased cutting-edge technologies and innovations from startups and established companies. The focus on artificial intelligence (AI) technology demonstrated how this emerging industry is rapidly changing healthcare, finance, and transportation.

As part of a long-term vision to establish Greater Miami as a global tech hub, the event’s organizers collaborated with leading organizations such as the Miami-Dade Beacon Council and the Knight Foundation.

The City of Miami Beach was also a sponsor of the event and debuted a new booth showcasing relocation incentives for tech companies looking to set up their base in Miami Beach, along with an activation by the Information Technology (IT) department showcasing innovative data and analytics implemented at the city. The conference highlighted the region’s growing tech environment and showcased the exciting opportunities for startups, investors, and established corporations to thrive. Miami Beach Mayor, Dan Gelber, presented a proclamation to Manny Medina, the founder of eMerge Americas, in recognition of his contributions to the Miami-Dade tech industry and highlighting his vision and leadership in creating the conference and his commitment to fostering innovation and growth in the region.

In addition to the focus on AI, eMerge Americas 2023 was a significant event for startups and entrepreneurs to connect with investors and seek funding opportunities. The Google for Startups’ Latino Founders Fund awarded $150,000 in equity-free funding, Google cloud credits, and mentorship to Kriptos, a startup from Argentina. The eMerge Hackathon’s winning team received a $10,000 prize for their project, a predictive flood model that helps city officials visualize storm-induced flooding to aid residents.

The main event of the conference was the Startup Showcase Showdown, which included 25 semifinalists pitching their ideas to win the $420,000 investment prize from Florida Funders, Panoramic Ventures, and eMerge Americas. The panel of judges chose Healthbird, a Miami-based startup that simplifies the process of buying health insurance and managing healthcare needs with an all-in-one platform, as the winner of the investment prize.

eMerge Americas 2023 also featured a special appearance by former NFL quarterback Tom Brady, who delivered a keynote speech on his experience with innovation and technology in sports. Brady discussed the role of technology in improving performance, training, and injury prevention, and highlighted the potential for technology to enhance various aspects of the sports industry. His speech was a highlight of the conference and showcased the exciting possibilities that technology can bring to different fields.

eMerge Americas 2023 demonstrated how startups and entrepreneurs can connect with investors and seek funding opportunities in Greater Miami, highlighting the region’s growing tech environment and the exciting opportunities it provides.