Opportunity Miami

Miami is a place where sea-level rise, extreme heat, and storm intensification collide with the realities of a growing, globally connected city. But Miami is emerging not only as the testing ground for climate challenges through innovation but also as the global hub for the solutions that will define how we assess and manage environmental risk. At the center of this is the Environmental Finance an...

Florida’s economic future flows through the Everglades. It is not only the source of drinking water for nearly eight million residents across the South Florida region, but it also has a direct impact on our tourism, real estate values, and more. The Everglades generates over $1 trillion in value and nearly $31.5 billion in annual economic benefits for the region, according to the central finding o...

In 1987, long before cloud computing and AI, a small group of technologists in the Bay Area saw how nonprofit organizations wanted to use technology to advance their missions, but lacked access, affordability, and the know-how. That’s when TechSoup was born, first as a matching service between “geeks” with technical expertise and social activists with big ideas but little IT support, explains Rebe...

When most entrepreneurs think of government contracts, they picture red tape, slow approvals, and paperwork nightmares. The Rapid Innovation Accelerator is here to help change that. “Our job is to support emerging technology businesses to get access to federal contracting opportunities,” said Solomon Stavis, Director of the RIA in Miami. Based at The LAB Miami in Wynwood, RIA-Miami is on a mission...

Over the past two years, Juan Carlos (JC) Liscano has served as Chair of The Miami-Dade Beacon Council and Co-Chair of Opportunity Miami. During this time, the Vice President of American Airlines’ Miami hub has demonstrated to us what vision and service can accomplish. “Economic development touches many parts of our community, but the success of Miami is predicated on having a really strong econom...

In the heart of Miami, on the fifth floor of the Omni building, something bigger than a coworking space is taking shape. The HUB is not just about “shared internet, shared desk, but more importantly, shared purpose,” says founder and CEO Noelle Jackson. The HUB was created to give startups and small businesses more than a physical address — it was built to give them a home. Jackson, who has spent...

If Miami wants to lead as a global tech hub, it must do more than attract companies—it must create opportunities for talent of today, talent of tomorrow, and talent from all backgrounds. “Talent is everywhere, but opportunity isn’t,” said Michael Ellison, co-founder and CEO of  CodePath.org , the nonprofit reshaping computer science education and career pathways for underserved students. For Ellis...

Imagine thousands of electric vehicles across Miami working together to support our power grid during a hot summer afternoon. That is the near future Casper Rasmussen envisions for the EV charging industry. “All the magic happens on the software side,” said the CEO and co-founder of Monta, a Copenhagen-based EV charging software company that recently made Miami its North American headquarters. Mon...

To transform the entrepreneurial landscape, culture is not only a necessity but an asset. As Felecia Hatcher puts it: “Culture is our capital.” As CEO of Pharrell Williams’ nonprofit, Black Ambition, she aims to reframe how we view success, innovation, and economic opportunity for historically marginalized entrepreneurs. Their most valuable assets: creativity, influence, resilience, and community....

In Miami, we’re always chasing what’s next. What was once a tourist destination is now a rising global finance, technology, and real estate hub. But with opportunity comes responsibility. Miami’s changing landscape is redefining how we grow, and real estate sits at the center, uniquely positioned to lead with vision, adaptability, and long-term impact. "Sustainability is really impacting the...

We believe talent drives everything. Entrepreneurship builds community wealth. And sustainability isn’t optional—it’s expected. These priorities guide our work across industries and institutions. But one of Miami’s most surprising superpowers? Tourism. In a region where quality of life and business opportunities converge, tourism is more than a side story. Listen or watch here to learn how tourism...

“We have no Plan B because there is no Planet B.” — Ban Ki-moon It’s more than a slogan. It’s a mandate. And in Miami, that call is being answered—not through top-down declarations, but through local action, trust, and collaboration. “You are not waiting for somebody to come and tell you to get moving. You are already moving, in your own way,” said Kate Landon, Executive Director of the Ban Ki-moo...

On a quiet Sunday morning in Biscayne Bay, Dave Doebler set out alone in his kayak, as he often did. But this time, his mission wasn’t just to paddle. He had started to notice something that didn’t belong—trash. And not just a few bottles or bags. What began as a personal ritual evolved into something much larger: a grassroots movement built around action, awareness, and community. Doebler co-foun...

We’re on the front lines of climate change here in Miami, where startups and entrepreneurs are testing innovative ways to manage evolving risks. So how can we approach climate risk more creatively and strategically? One approach: think like an economist. “You’re on the forefront. Let’s experiment and scale what works,” said Joseph Aldy, an economist and Harvard Kennedy School professor specializin...

Education is a powerful engine for Miami’s economic growth. When students enroll and graduate, the benefits extend beyond individual success—strengthening businesses, fueling job creation, and boosting local tax revenue. The Florida Future Billions Report, released by Helios Education Foundation, highlights just how transformative this impact can be. "If we just looked at increasing college c...

Facing a monumental challenge, Miami-Dade County is redefining what it means to manage waste. Each year, the County generates nearly five million tons of waste—a staggering figure amplified by the county’s three million residents and millions more annual tourists. Each person contributes ten pounds of waste daily, exceeding the national average. With landfills nearing capacity and consumption habi...

Kandji, an Apple device management and security platform, had its pick of locations for an East Coast headquarters. It could have chosen New York, but instead, it chose Miami. Why? Because Miami is not just growing—it is redefining what it means to be a city of opportunity. "Ten years ago, Apple was not the dominant enterprise device—it is today," Kandji Chief Marketing Officer Sylvia LePoidevin s...

Francesca de Quesada Covey is Miami-Dade County’s Chief of Innovation and Economic Development Officer. As a daughter of Cuban immigrants, she was driven by a relentless desire to create opportunities and solve complex challenges. Reflecting on her journey in our latest Opportunity Miami Interview, she candidly admitted, “I never thought that I would work in local government,” but she does because...

Miami is redefining itself as a global innovation hub, attracting top talent, groundbreaking startups, and visionary investors. From record-breaking venture capital to a booming startup ecosystem, Miami’s tech scene is skyrocketing at an unprecedented pace. One of the driving forces behind this remarkable transformation is  Melissa Medina , Co-Founder, CEO, and President of  eMerge Americas . Her...

By investing in apprenticeships, digital learning, and sustainability-driven industries, Miami is positioning itself as a model for economic growth and innovation. At the forefront of this transformation are  GoSprout  and  Miami EdTech . “Miami has all the right stakeholders at the table. When we come together, good ideas happen—and that’s the beauty of this city,” says Carlos Vazquez, founder of...

Zulu Pods is an aerospace startup redefining jet engine technology and paving the way for a more sustainable future. Co-founded by Latina aerospace engineer Daniella Sladen, Zulu Pods is revolutionizing the aviation industry with innovative solutions that are cost-effective, sustainable, and transformative. “Traditional systems rely on gallons of oil, but our pods reduce that to milliliters,” Slad...

Buses, cars, planes, and trains account for more than half of greenhouse gas emissions in Miami-Dade County , compared to nearly 30% nationally . So how we get around will play a major role in shaping a cleaner and more sustainable future. Going fully electric can only tackle a part of the problem. Whether driving an electric vehicle or using a drone to deliver a product, the battery that powers i...

Miami embodies the American dream. It’s where the spirit of entrepreneurship is woven into the fabric of our daily lives. Edrizio De La Cruz’s journey—from selling guavas on the streets to selling his fintech company to Mastercard—captures the essence of that dream. Now, through The Founder School, he’s empowering underrepresented entrepreneurs to follow in his footsteps. "I want to give others th...

The Miami of 2040 can be more innovative and inclusive. Tech Equity Miami is helping to close the tech disparity gap in the community. Led by Johanna Mikkola, Tech Equity Miami is a nonprofit funding consortium launched two years ago to serve as the bridge between funders and initiatives to build a strong tech ecosystem in Miami. They are deploying $100 million over five years to initiatives that...

Miami-Dade County has one of the country's most sophisticated emergency management programs, preparing for and responding to 41 disaster scenarios. That includes everything from extreme heat and flooding to cybersecurity and active shooter attacks. “We run the gamut of the different types of disasters in preparation, response, mitigation, and recovery from those events,” said Pete Gomez, Direc...