South Florida Tech HubSouth Florida Tech Hub
22
Feb, 2023

By Nikki Cabus

Seedfunders Associate Network for new investors is catching momentum

Read Time 3 Minutes

Earlier this month, Seedfunders, a Florida-based investment firm for early-stage startups, launched the Associate Network. 

The Associate Network is for investors outside of the Seedfunders organization allowing them easy access to view investment opportunities, sign documents and wire the funds. The complete process will be fully automated allowing for a greater amount of investors and overall funding for the startups.

Seedfunders’ goal was to add 40 new accredited investors in the first month, but the opportunity catch momentum pretty fast!

 

THE CONCEPT 💰

Dave Chitester, Founder of the Florida investment firms Florida Funders and Seedfunders, told South Florida Tech Hub that “97% of investors don’t invest in private deals because they either don’t know about them or find them too risky. The Associate Network aims to make it easier to invest locally.”

Chitester said that he had the idea for this concept years ago, but never launched it because no one understood the concept and it was very hard to do because the entire process had to be completed manually from start to finish. He only knew of two other firms using this concept at the time, AngelList and FundersClub.

There is no cost to join the Seedfunders Associate Network and no annual fees or expenses. There is also no obligation to invest in any of the deals. Once you join, the firm will send you investment opportunities and your participation is completely optional. All functionality, including deal docs, signatures, funding, and K-1s has been automated through Sydecar.

“This is a great opportunity for a new investor to get started in investing in startups with minimal risk. They have the opportunity to review deals but have no requirement to invest, so they can pick the ones they have an interest in and “get their feet wet,” said Chitester. “Then they can follow the company and see what early stage investing is all about.”

Chitester’s goal was to get 40 Associate Members in the first month and they exceeded that in the first week!! They already have 50 investors. Demand for is strong.

 

THE PLATFORM 💰 

Sydecar, a frictionless deal execution platform for venture investors, is the platform of choice being used for the Seedfunders Associate Network. According to the Sydecar website, the platform “handles back-office operations for venture investors, automating banking, compliance, contracts, and reporting so that customers can focus on making deals and building relationships.”

Sydecar is not a public investing platform which means all investors must be approved by Chitester.

With offices in Miami, Orlando and St. Petersburg, Seedfunders has a unique focus on pre-revenue early-stage technology startups in Florida. They bring a different approach with mentoring and guidance for developing an MVP and bringing concepts to market. Seedfunders investors are committed to mentoring and giving back to the startup community. Their approved accredited investors are a huge asset to our investees.

 

THE INVESTORS 💰

Seedfunders is inviting new accredited investors who may be interested in participating in the firm’s deals to join.

The network is only open to accredited investors, which the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) defines an accredited investor as one who has made $200,000 per year for the past 2 years, or $300,000 including spouse, OR has a net worth of more than $1 million, not counting the value of their permanent residence.
A good investor for the Seedfunders Associate Network is someone who wants to learn about startup funding, meets the SEC requirements above, can invest a minimum of $5000 per deal or more, has an interest in technology startups based in Florida.
So far in South Florida, Seedfunders has invested in Intelligent Observation, HeartOut, CERA Software, and Virtual Badge among others.

 

 

Here is the link to get signed up with Seedfunders’ Associate Network: https://www.seedfunders.com/associate-network/ 

, , , , ,
22
Feb, 2023

By Nikki Cabus

FAU Tech Runway announces Venture Class 11 companies

Read Time 6 Minutes

FAU Tech Runway® just announced the 20 companies accepted into the 11th cohort of its Venture Program.

The Venture Program provides the most promising startups and talented entrepreneurs in South Florida with an opportunity to join a year-long program that offers resources from FAU’s Innovation and Business Development pipeline, entrepreneurial instruction, structured team-based mentoring, networking, marketing and capital-raising assistance, co-working space, events, intern support, and other vital programs. This program will run February – December

Companies accepted into the Venture Program must have strategic alignment with FAU’s research focus areas, including drone technologies; educational technologies; environmental science; marine science; ocean engineering; neuroscience; healthy aging; big data analytics; artificial intelligence; machine learning; cyber security; sensing; and smart systems.

“The program has been a tremendous help in many founders’ journeys, and when we joined the program, we were a one-person company with an idea,” stated Saida Florexil, Venture Class 8 alumnus and Co-Founder & CEO of Imanyco, a company aiming to improve communication accessibility for people with hearing loss.

“By the time we graduated, we had built a team, and a product, raised funds, and we were able to work with some of the world’s largest companies. The mentorship, resources, and support that we received were incredibly valuable to our journey.”

At Tech Runway, experts have created a program that harnesses and directs the entrepreneurial spirit, providing a complete ecosystem for forward-thinking entrepreneurs, innovative students, faculty, alumni and the community. Program participants receive more than $100,000 in resources and services, including but not limited to mentoring, entrepreneurial education, introductions to early-stage capital, pitch practice opportunities, networking, co-working space and much more. Applications are opened twice a year to be accepted into the Venture Program.

Jessica Beaver, Associate Director of FAU Tech Runway, told South Florida Tech Hub that as the region continues to grow as national leader for tech and business that they have seen more of a need for startup resources as startups flock to the area.

“Due to a high demand, FAU Tech Runway has committed to providing our area two cohorts each year versus only one. This is the second cohort of the year allowing us to serve 40 companies, doubling the amount of startups served in previous years.”

From smart sensors to a fitness app to a decorative planter box company, this cohort has it all. “We are excited about the mix of students, faculty, and community in this cohort and the interesting combination of both SaaS-based and physical products.”

Jessica also noted that they have seen an influx in AI-driven startups. “It’s certainly becoming more prevalent as the tech industry continues to transform. AI is becoming more and more of a common trend with the companies that apply.”

Venture Class 11 participants joined a robust community of fellow entrepreneurs, mentors, investors, instructors and top-level support professionals. They have a lot of work ahead of them, but having the right community supporting them is the best first step. FAU Tech Runway® is a public-private partnership formed to incubate and accelerate early-stage technology-based companies, under the purview of FAU’s Division of Research. Applications for the next cycle of the Venture Program will open on March 3.

The 20 companies in Venture Class 11 are:

  • ADAM Rehabilitation sells dynamic performance braces and expert-level training services to individuals with full functional abilities or disabilities, to help them achieve safer and stronger joints.
  • AskDaddysaurus is a media-based avatar targeted at new parents to provide fun, engaging and accessible childcare content to save time and energy, increase efficiency and build confidence as a new caregiver.
  • AskTakeGo Inc (ATG) is a startup based in Fort Lauderdale, engaged in the development of software for the heavy construction equipment industry.
  • Carevocacy is a learning platform aimed at the elderly population that provides 1:1 online tutoring and classes that address social determinants of health, bridge the digital literacy gap, and offer opportunities to be competitive in the workplace.
  • Enchanted Wave is a Florida-based tech startup that has developed a brainwave-sensing headband and its companion mobile apps for research use, in the field of sleep and cognitive studies and sport performances.
  • EpiPaws is developing epigenetic biomarkers for age and health to improve pet healthcare and increase pet longevity. Its first product, the Pet Age Test, estimates age in dogs and cats from a simple mouth swab.
  • Esther.ai is a cloud-based Artificial Intelligence (AI) application that will disrupt the application development market. Esther.ai’s objective is to reduce testing time and budget from weeks to hours post-development.
  • Fair Witness Technologies (a DBA of ANV Services LLC) offers a self-authenticating digital document format that is the core element of an integrated ecosystem of technology tools. This new, open-source format creates persistent authenticity.
  • Fitnessatyourdoor is a software as a service (SaaS) marketplace that matches trainers and clients and uses data to make recommendations to both parties to improve their results.
  • K Executive Solutions Inc. is a virtual assisting agency that helps business owners and busy professionals streamline their administration tasks, handling the busy work so clients can focus on what matters the most to them.
  • MedAI/SmartBioSense has developed an AI-driven decision support system that helps build a model to understand how well we can predict mortality, ICU admission, and mechanical ventilation for patients hospitalized with COVID-19.
  • Modern Trials Inc. partners with health care organizations and leverages electronic health care data to identify patients in need of advanced treatment options and match them with appropriate clinical trial opportunities.
  • My Autoimmune LLC empowers individuals with autoimmune conditions to take ownership of their health and well-being using holistic methods. It connects individuals with a trusted network of holistic health professionals and evidence-informed research.
  • Parking Genie provides an innovative peer-to-peer business concept to revolutionize how consumers park cars and store boats. Through a digital listing, homeowners can create passive income and customers can search – then pay in advance – for parking.
  • Primary AI is building a patient-centric data-sharing ecosystem in health care and medicine. Its primary goal is to bridge the gap between patients, providers and scientific research.
  • RaiseLink provides startups and startup ecosystem partners with instant matching based on personalized algorithms. Education, business planning and feedback features enhance user engagement, keeping data fresh and accurate.
  • RedeLit’s mission is to redefine literature to help people fall in love with reading, learn how to write/read in a fun way, and bring an increase to literacy percentages in the USA – and the world – so people have a better quality of life.
  • ScreenPlanter LLC is a decorative planter box for horizontal beams of screen enclosures. No tools are required as the company uses ScreenExtender™ brackets. Boxes measuring 2 feet, 4 feet, 6 feet, or a Corner ScreenPlanter™ are available.
  • Show Agents connects overbooked realtors to local licensed showing assistants that can show properties on their behalf, similar to that of Uber for realtors.
  • SyncData Inc. is a compliance tech SaaS company that automates compliance norms like ISO’s with the use of AI.

Pete Martinez, Founder and Chairman of RaiseLink, an intelligent platform for investors and startups, is one of the recently accepted Venture Class 11 cohort members. Although a long time techie and former IBM executive, Pete still understood the importance of programs like FAU Tech Runway.

“We felt it was critical that we walk in the shoes of the startup and go through all the education a startup goes through. FAU’s Venture Program is providing great insight which will in turn make us and our platform even better.”

For more information on FAU Tech Runway®, visit techrunway.fau.edu.

, , , , , , , , , ,
22
Feb, 2023

By Nikki Cabus

Silicon Valley’s LeverX relocates HQ to South Florida and expands internationally

Read Time 4 Minutes

Global system integrator LeverX announced the relocation of its corporate headquarters to South Florida. The company believes that by moving from California to Florida it enables them to better meet the needs of customers and collaborate with our partners in the U.S. and globally as they continue to expand internationally.

“Miami’s tech space is growing at a rapid pace, with companies such as LeverX choosing South Florida as the next logical step for their business,” said Laura DiBella, Florida Secretary of Commerce and President & CEO of Enterprise Florida. “Florida was ranked #1 for new tech business establishments in 2021 by CompTIA, and we only expect to see more growth occur in the years to come. With our tremendous quality of life, skilled workforce, and business-friendly environment, Florida is primed to support the flourishing tech industry.”

Apart from a thriving tech and business culture, LeverX will benefit from Miami’s location. Thanks to global accessibility, Miami International Airport is now one of the busiest airports in the world, making the city a convenient place for business operations and meetings. Miami’s convenient central location will allow LeverX to increase the effectiveness of communications with customers across multiple countries and time zones and streamline operations between its offices across North America, Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East.

LeverX was founded in Silicon Valley in 2003 and has since become a global system integrator that provides SAP implementation services and custom software development to companies of all sizes. The company supports clients in North America, Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East with over 1600 employees in 14 offices across 10 countries. LeverX Group unites two teams: LeverX and Emerline. Some of the primary industries they work with are automotive, metals and mining, retail, fintech and healthcare.

A Cushman & Wakefield representative told South Florida Tech Hub that the new LeverX headquarters is located at 333 S. E. 2nd Avenue, Suite 2000, Miami in the prestigious Wells Fargo Center in a Regus Group executive suite. This building has become one of Miami’s preeminent business addresses and stands 47-stories tall in the heart of Downtown Miami, making it the fifth tallest building in Florida. This fabulous fabulous tower building comes with terrific views across the city and Biscayne Bay.

“Miami is a natural fit for a global tech leader like LeverX,” said James Kohnstamm, EVP, Miami-Dade Beacon Council, the County’s official economic development organization. “One of the fastest growing innovation hubs in the country, Miami is a diverse community that is entrepreneurial at its core and is invested in the success of companies that choose to call it home. Boasting local, national and international talent with strong SAP expertise, we look forward to having LeverX engage with our thriving tech cluster and contribute to its continued growth.”

Recent explosion in business and technology has made Miami and surrounding South Florida an increasingly desirable place to live, work, and travel. With an intention to offering innovative, cutting-edge digital solutions, LeverX presence is excited to be a part of Florida’s growing tech hub and Miami’s growing business and tech scene.

“Miami-Dade is a connected and global gateway, teeming with stories of talent, innovation, and drive. As we build a Miami-Dade that is workforce, idea, and future-ready – we’re excited to welcome tech leaders like LeverX, so that together, we can author the next chapter of tech in America,” – said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava.

LeverX’s Co-founder and Chairman of the Board, Dr. Victor Lozinski, commented on the decision to choose Miami as the new location for the company’s headquarters stating that “After exploring possible locations, we have selected Miami, Florida, as the new site for our LeverX Global Headquarters. Its welcoming environment and popular attractions make Miami an appealing setting to host corporate events and customer meetings. Our new home will enable us to better meet the needs of our customers and collaborate with our partners, both in the U.S. and around the world. We are excited to become part of Miami’s growing tech community and look forward to the next chapter in the company’s history,” said Dr. Victor Lozinski.

The LeverX office in Mountain View, California will continue working with clients  on the West Coast, while offering cutting-edge technologies and building innovative solutions for startups and established companies. For more information, please visit https://leverx.com/.

, , , , , ,
05
Feb, 2023

By Nikki Cabus

CP Group announces 17,786 sf of new flexible office suites in Boca Raton, includes a leading VC firm

Read Time 4 Minutes

CP Group, the largest office landlord in Florida and prominent owner-operator of office properties throughout the Sunbelt, today announced five new leasing agreements at Two Town Center — a 145,344-square-foot, 11-floor Class A office tower in Boca Raton, FL.

This leasing momentum includes five new tenants which will occupy 17,786 sf of newly constructed flexible office suites developed at the building as part of CP Group’s flexible workspace offering, worCPlaces.

The new tenants include:

  • Related Fund Management, a national real estate and credit investment management firm.
  • RRE Ventures, a leading venture capital firm represented by John Criddle with CBRE.
  • BMO Harris Bank, a national investment banking company represented by Bob Schneiderman of Colliers of Florida.
  • Cordoba Legal Group, a Boca Raton-based law firm represented by Mark Rubin and Jake Stauber of Colliers of Florida.
  • The Praedium Group, a real estate investment firm focused on middle-market, underperforming, and undervalued assets. They were represented by Richard Shay Coker of Douglas Elliman.

One notable new tenant is RRE Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm headquartered in New York City focused on investing in tech enabled ventures.

Harvard Business School classmates, Stuart Ellman and James D. Robinson IV, founded RRE Ventures in 1994 with Robinson’s father, James D. Robinson III, former Chairman and CEO of American Express Company from 1977 to 1993.

RRE Ventures primarily invests in seed, series A and series B rounds and focuses on companies operating in the software, internet, communications, aerospace, robotics, 3D printing and financial services sectors.

According to General Partner, Jason Black, in a September 2022 RRE blog post, “RRE Ventures has been a leading venture capital firm in New York with nearly $2.5B under management and +400 portfolio companies. With over 25 IPOs and dozens of trade sales through the years, there is a lot going on at any given time.”

“Recent well-known companies include Datadog, Venmo, Braintree, DCG, Noom, Kindbody, Spring Health, Olo, and BuzzFeed, among many other category-defining businesses. We pride ourselves not only on investing in great entrepreneurs and delivering stellar returns to our LPs but also on being supportive partners to our portfolio companies and active members of the venture community.”

Since it’s inception, RRE Ventures has been seeking out and partnering with extraordinary entrepreneurs who seek to disrupt and transform industries using technology. The company has often been on the forefront of new innovations and industry-leading investments such as their first crypto investment in 2013.

Although RRE invest across the United States and in select overseas geographies, they view New York’s burgeoning innovation economy as critically important to the creation of the next wave of large technology companies. They have been one of New York Metro regions most active investors. Now, they are bringing their expertise, connections, and funding to South Florida.

South Florida, specifically Boca Raton, has been one of the most sought out areas in the region for new office space for investors, real estate and law firms, and finance companies. The CP Group is already underway on construction of another full floor of spec suites, which will deliver six more suites ranging from 1,714 to 3,212 square feet. Construction is expected to be completed by summer 2023.

“This leasing momentum is proof of the high demand for next-generation, flexible work environments in today’s office market,” said John Osborne, Senior Vice President at CP Group.

“We’re proud to bring worCPlaces to the Boca Raton market to meet the changing needs of premier tenants like these and look forward to offering them first class amenities on and off-site, including the nearly completing Restaurant Row adjacent to the building.”

Restaurant Row, Boca Raton’s first ever restaurant-driven complex initially designed by CP Group and later sold to PEBB Enterprises, sits directly in front of Two Town Center, and is expected to open this year. The four-restaurant complex will include El Camino, Pubbelly Sushi, Fiolina Pasta House, and Shabibi, a Lebanese-inspired eatery from chef and “Hell’s Kitchen” runner-up Ralph Pagano.

Two Town Center is one of the market’s tallest buildings and offers sweeping views of Boca Raton. It boasts a newly renovated lobby and common areas, along with floor-to-ceiling windows, a full-time Tenant Services Coordinator, an incoming café, and covered parking. The building is also WELL Health-Safety Rated.

The property’s prime location in Boca Raton offers tenants immediate access to I-95 and the city’s business corridor. Adjacent to the renowned Town Center Mall, Glades Plaza, Boca Center, and incoming Restaurant Row, the property is within walking distance to dozens of restaurants, hotels, and boutiques.

To learn more about the property, visit twotowncenterboca.com

, , , , , ,
31
Jan, 2023

By Nikki Cabus

Inaugural Venture Appreciation Night honors South Florida startup ecosystem

Read Time 3 Minutes

Tech Hub’s inaugural ‘Venture Appreciate Night’🚀 was a celebration of all the people who make up our startup community in South Florida!

Founders, funders and friends in the region came together to enjoy a three-course dinner, drinks, great networking and recognition of some of our ecosystem’s players.

For more than the past two decades, South Florida has been on the top of the charts as one of the country’s top places for entrepreneurship activity, but lacked in the funding that followed. That’s beginning to change.

In Q4 of last year, the overall deal flow across the United States including angel and seed, early stage VC, and late-stage VC was the lowest of 2022, according to Q4 2022 PitchBook-NVCA Venture Monitor. PitchBook’s reports states that “the four consecutive quarters of declining deal counts could foreshadow a continued slide in 2023.” But what does it mean when the South Florida region is defying the odds?

Despite the downturn nationally, the Miami Metro region (Miami, Broward Palm Beach) has climbed to one of the top ten venture capital regions in the country. While other major tech hub’s numbers are sinking, South Florida is consistently on the rise and continued to rise in Q4.

  1. Bay Area | 2022 deal count: 3,263 and 2022 deal value: $75.4B
  2. New York | 2022 deal count: 2,323 and 2022 deal value: $31.4B
  3. Los Angeles | 2022 deal count: 1,311 and 2022 deal value: $23.3B
  4. Boston | 2022 deal count: 1,016 and 2022 deal value: $21.4B
  5. Philadelphia | 2022 deal count: 554 and 2022 deal value: $5.6B
  6. Seattle | 2022 deal count: 479 and 2022 deal value: $7.8B
  7. Washington D.C. | 2022 deal count: 443 and 2022 deal value: $4.9B
  8. Miami | 2022 deal count: 423 and 2022 deal value: $5.5B
  9. Austin | 2022 deal count: 416 and 2022 deal value: $4.9B
  10. Chicago | 2022 deal count: 384 and 2022 deal value: $10.2B

This type of progress doesn’t happen overnight. There are thousands of people supporting and helping build our entrepreneurial and startup ecosystem in South Florida. We decided to honor just a few of these founders, funders, and mentors at this year’s inaugural ‘Venture Appreciation Night.’

Here are our honorees:

  • Claudia Duran | Managing Director @ Endeavor Miami
  • Chris Ochner | Co-Founder & Chair @ Modern Trials and CEO @ MindFigure Consulting
  • Darie Dorlus | Founder & CEO @ Synchronized Technologies and Startup Mentor
  • David Hartmann | Founder & CEO @ The SilverLogic and Mentor @ FAU Tech Runway
  • Dr. Kevin Cox | Senior Instructor & Assoc. Director of Adams Center for Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurs Xchange Lead Instructor @ FAU, and Associate @ Glades Capital
  • Giovanni Punzo | Founder & CEO @ Streann Media
  • Roxette Irvine | Managing Director @ The LAB Miami, Director of Web3 Global @ Founder Institute, Partner @ 305 Works
  • Steven Edwards | Founder & CEO, Premier Virtual
  • Tahl Milburn | Gentleman Technologist. Thoughtful Investor. Executive Advisor. Tech Hub Ambassador.
  • Todd Albert | Founder & CEO @ Boca Code and Startup Mentor

Tech Hub would like to give a big shoutout to Streann Media for being the presenting sponsor and Gio Punzo for giving a very insightful keynote about his founder journey. From being laughed at, told he was wrong, learning to believe in himself and now building a multi-million dollar business that help other businesses scale.

“We are thrilled to be recognized by South Florida Tech Hub as being an integral part of the start-up ecosystem in South Florida,” said Gio Punzo, CEO of Streann Media.

“We have gone from a start-up to becoming a global company, creating jobs around the world with our technologies that are touching millions of people. The content economy is going through a huge transformation and we are leading the change. We are truly blessed to be where we are.”

Check out some of the event photos below. Thank you to all who came out to celebrate with us!

 

, , , , , , , ,
30
Jan, 2023

By Nikki Cabus

What Does 2023 Have in Store? A Review of New Technology Trends.

Read Time 4 Minutes

As January draws to a close, most of us have settled back into our daily routines. While 2022 was a year of transition, we believe 2023 will usher in new opportunities — and new challenges. Rick Mancinelli, Founder & CEO of C3 Complete, gives us a look into what 2023 might look like.

Rick Mancinelli is the CEO of C3 Complete, a technology consultancy he founded in 2009. He has nearly 30 years of experience in all phases of information technology management, including software development, network architecture, and corporate IT management.

Rick gives us insight into:

  • The Future of Work
  • The Future of Security
  • The Future of Cloud Services
  • The Future of Mobility
  • The Future of Computing
  • The Future of the Economy

The Future of Work

The Covid-19 pandemic resulted in an unprecedented transition for the global workforce. Work-from-home technologies such as web and video conferencing, virtual desktops, zero trust network access, and Hosted PBX solutions grew rapidly both in use and functionality. In 2022, with the Covid-19 virus better understood, workers began to take their first steps back into the office environment.

As 2023 begins, we believe this will be the year that determines the very future of how we work. While the technologies mentioned above are surely here to stay, it will be those that learn to truly capitalize on their potential that will ultimately have the greatest success. The question for you is, how can your organization leverage these technologies to achieve your goals?

This is an especially important question when placed against the backdrop of exactly how employees will work in the future. Are employees working from home for good, headed back to work full-time, or going hybrid? Will there be a mass callback to the office? Most importantly, how do forward-thinking organizations secure, support, and manage the new extended office environment?

The Future of Security

A lot has changed in the security arena, as well. As emerging threats become more sophisticated, so too are the tools used to keep you safe. The traditional VPN has given way to ZTNA; SD-WAN is fast becoming SASE. Cybercriminals are leveraging AI (artificial intelligence) to construct and deploy new and never-before-seen malware, while leading security vendors leverage the same AI to defend against them.

Even Uncle Sam is paying attention to Information Security now. Recent changes to Federal Trade Commission policy pose major ramifications for any business that fails to safeguard consumer information. Even if you run Mary Lou’s flower shop down the street, you can be fined — maybe enough to put you out of business. With a maximum fine of $11,000 per day per occurrence of non-compliance, and up to $43,000 per day per consent violation, the risk is very real. Can your business afford to be exposed to this level of risk? Do you have the right security strategy in place to minimize these new threats?

For these reasons — as well as a litany of additional security threats — the trend of double-digit growth in cybersecurity spending will likely continue. In fact, it’s not unusual for us to see customers budgeting twice as much on security services in 2023 as they did in 2022. This is particularly true as remote work continues to entrench as the new normal, and cloud-based services continue their massive year-over-year growth.

The Future of Cloud Services

Despite the growth of Cloud, we’re seeing some pullback from the big public Cloud services. While “Big Cloud” is still growing hand over fist, some customers are exploring the many benefits of alternative cloud services. Other customers, driven by regulatory requirements, performance issues, and as a mechanism to control Cloud Sprawl, have begun to explore data repatriation: moving data back to on-premise or collocation-based systems.

Enter the new “Multi-Cloud” paradigm, where the question is no longer to Cloud or not to Cloud, but rather which type of Cloud(s) is right for your organization? Public? Private? Hybrid? Big Cloud? Alternative Cloud? Moreover, is your technology partner equipped to have this conversation and provide the guidance you need?

 

To read Rick’s insights into The Future of Mobility, Computing, and the Economy, click here.

, , , , , , , , , , , ,
30
Jan, 2023

By Nikki Cabus

Miami-Dade Beacon Council Names Rodrick Miller President & CEO

Read Time 5 Minutes

One of the foremost economic development leaders in the country is set to lead Miami-Dade’s best-in-class EDO.

The Miami-Dade Beacon Council, the county’s official public-private economic development partnership, names Rodrick Miller President and Chief Executive Officer. One of the nation’s foremost economic development leaders, Miller brings decades of experience and a commitment to inclusive, sustainable development to one of the fastest growing, most diverse business destinations in the world: Miami.

Miller is a seasoned economic developer known for his deep expertise in urban recovery, trade and foreign investment, strategic planning, and project finance. Respected globally for his ability to maneuver complex political and business environments, Miller’s ability to craft strategies and structure deals that provide long-term value to communities and investors makes him an ideal leader for development efforts in Miami.

Appointed in May 2022 after the untimely passing of Beacon Council President and CEO Michael A. Finney, the eight-member Search Committee – led by Yolanda Cash Jackson, Chair of The Beacon Council and Shareholder at Becker – selected global organizational consulting firm Korn Ferry to lead the search. The firm partnered closely with the Search Committee on an exhaustive 7-month search of the national economic development community, attracting best-in-class applicants for the organization’s leadership position; Miller rose to the top.

“We are excited to welcome Rod Miller to The Beacon Council,” said Yolanda Cash Jackson, Chair of both the Search Committee and Beacon’s Board of Directors.

“A world-class economic developer, Rod’s understanding of diverse, international markets and the importance of intentionally inclusive, sustainable development make him the right leader for this organization at this time in Miami-Dade’s growth. Beacon has an incredible team of best-in-class professionals that have outperformed year after year, even when faced with unforeseen challenges. Rod’s energy and strategic vision for what we can build together – for, by, and with Miami – is infectious. We are confident he will be embraced by this community and help to drive our shared mission forward.”

As the County’s official economic development organization, The Beacon Council works closely with Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, who looks forward to partnering with the new leader.

“To build the growing, inclusive economy of tomorrow, we need visionary leaders at the forefront today,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava.

“Rodrick Miller brings extraordinary experience to Miami-Dade, having proven his ability to deliver strong, targeted economic development to New Orleans, Detroit, and Puerto Rico. Under his leadership, we’ll generate new investment in our community, support our long-standing industries, and create a dynamic local workforce – building an economy that works for everyone along the way.”

Rodrick Miller’s previous experience includes serving as Chief Executive Officer of Invest Puerto Rico, joining the organization in 2019 and building a world-class team to lead its mission of attracting business and investment to the island. He joined InvestPR after leading Ascendant Global, an economic development firm focused on providing bold growth solutions to help economies sustain themselves and gain jobs and private investment.

Prior to that, he was President and CEO of the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, the public-private partnership charged with leading the economic revitalization of the city of Detroit. Miller also served as the founding President and CEO of the New Orleans Business Alliance, the official economic development organization for the City of New Orleans.

“The announcement of Rodrick Miller as the next President and CEO of The Beacon Council is very exciting,” said Miami-Dade County Commission Chairman Oliver G. Gilbert, III.

“Rodrick’s extensive background leading economic development efforts across the nation and promoting policies that support a vibrant business community make him a natural leader for the County’s official economic development organization.”

The 45-year-old Rodrick Miller becomes Beacon’s sixth president in its 38-year history as Miami-Dade County’s official economic development organization. He has led diverse economic initiatives for clients including Living Cities, the Kellogg Foundation, The Fund for our Economic Future, and the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, and was recently a visiting fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School’s Taubman Center for State and Local Government.

Miller holds a Master of Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, a graduate diploma in finance from the Monterrey Institute of Technology in Mexico, and a Bachelor of Science degree in International Business from St. Augustine’s College. He was also a Fulbright Fellow. He is a board member of the New Growth Innovation Network, the Harvard Kennedy School Alumni Board, New Corp (CDFI), and St. Augustine’s University.

“Everyone loves Miami, and appreciates how much we have to offer on a global level,” said William D. Talbert, III, Outgoing Interim President & CEO.

“This allows us to consistently attract the highest level of talent – which is especially important for this position, where you are empowered to market, grow, and shape this community to ensure that we are future-ready. The Committee was impressed with the quality and quantity of applicants, and we are confident that the process allowed us to find the best, most qualified candidate to lead Miami-Dade’s economic development efforts.”

The Miami-Dade Beacon Council is the county’s official economic development partnership. Attracting and retaining companies that create high-value jobs and invest in our community, The Beacon Council is committed to driving long-term economic prosperity and inclusive growth for Miami-Dade County, its businesses, and residents. They achieve this by marketing Miami- Dade as a world-class business destination; growing local companies and fostering entrepreneurs; and shaping Miami-Dade’s economic future. Established in 1985, The Beacon Council has attracted more than 130,000 new jobs and $7.3 Billion of new investment to Miami-Dade County. For more information, visit BeaconCouncil.com.

“I am thrilled to join one of the most well-respected economic development organizations in the country and lead it into its next phase of growth,” said Rodrick Miller, President & CEO.

“Miami-Dade County is a dynamic global community that thrives on diversity and is unabashedly entrepreneurial at its core. We are at a unique inflection point that allows us to drive long-term growth by capitalizing on the incredible momentum and inbound investments of the last few years.

Applying sustainable, inclusive development strategies will not only drive transformational change for our economy – it will position Miami as a model for others. At the forefront of my priorities, however, is to immerse myself in the community, to listen to, learn from and engage with the diverse stakeholders who work with us to shape Miami’s economic future.”

Members of the Search Committee include:

  • Yolanda Cash Jackson, Becker, 2022-2023 Beacon Council Chair and Search Committee Chair
  • Donna Abood, Avison Young, Past Chair and Board Member
  • Sheldon Anderson, Grove Bank & Trust, Past Chair and Board Member
  • George Bermudez, Bank of America, Immediate Past Chair and Board Member
  • Jaret Davis, Greenberg Traurig, Past Chair and Board Member
  • Gary Goldfarb, Interport Logistics, Past Chair and Board Member
  • Xavier Gonzalez, Kaseya, Board Member
  • Alexandra Villoch, Baptist Health South Florida, Past Chair and Board Member

Miller will be taking over his role in Miami-Dade County starting February 15, 2023.

 

, , , , ,
27
Jan, 2023

By Nikki Cabus

South Florida-based PeakActivity acquires eCommerce software agency Lexima

Read Time 3 Minutes

PeakActivity, an eCommerce and technology services company based in Boynton Beach, recently acquired Lexima, an eCommerce software agency specializing in eCommerce platform technology implementations. PeakActivity’s  already robust technology and eCommerce capabilities will be further deepen their expertise with the acquisition of Lexima.

In 2019, Lexima was founded in Palm Beach County in 2019 just prior to the covid-19 pandemic by Lancey Lexima, a Graphic Designer turned Software Engineer who loved developing apps with amazing user experiences. The company grew quickly. By 2022, the company had a remote team with team members all across North America – from Canada to Tennessee to Florida. Lancey opened their headquarters right in the heart of downtown West Palm Beach.

Lancey  founded Lexima with an intent to build an agency that partners with brands to provide a quality development service. Lexima quickly garnered a reputation for its expertise in the headless eCommerce market, beginning with the Shopify platform and growing to include additional platform technologies, including BigCommerce, Vue.js, and Next.js. Having worked in software development for companies such as MDLIVE, 4Ocean, and MCNA Dental, Lancey began his journey with great experience and needed connections in the industry. Thanks to Lexima’s forethought and early success, the was able to attract the attention of such clients as 4ocean, The Genie Company, and Charleston Wine + Food.

“Joining forces with PeakActivity made perfect sense,” says Lexima Founder & CEO, Lancey Lexima. “We built the business from the ground up to engage with clients as a partner on their eCommerce journey. Through partnering with PeakActivity, we are able to deliver eCommerce excellence at scale.”

The coming together of PeakActivity and Lexima represents an alignment of values, as both organizations focus on ROI-driven user experiences & solutions focusing on four main areas of expertise: Modernization, Optimization, Innovation and Engineering.

More and more businesses seek eCommerce technologies that deliver fast and rich experiences for their customers, such as Shopify and BigCommerce. Lexima provides PeakActivity with another conduit to success thanks to its expertise on platforms that everyone knows of, but few are experts at. Adding Lexima’s talent, leadership, and experience to existing and future clients will allow them to drive better business outcomes and elevate business growth for today and tomorrow.

Since the acquisition, Lancey has stepped into the VP of Technology Solutions for PeakActivity. His role will be focused on leading the company’s eCommerce technology implementations. Lancey will be using tools such as Shopify and Big Commerce to support PeakActivity’s clients through their implementation process and ultimately overall growth.

“Leadership, expertise, and excellence drive everything we do here at PeakActivity,” says PeakActivity CEO, Manish B. Hirapara.

“Having Lexima as part of our team further strengthens our depth of expertise. With Lexima’s eCommerce experts onboard, PeakActivity is now even better positioned to provide value quickly, effectively, and at scale.”

Founded in Boynton Beach in 2012, PeakActivity has already expanded into 7 different countries across 4 continents and employing more than 250 people. Their diverse team believes that their collective experience binds them together, unifying their purpose and infusing and influencing everything—from what we create and develop, to what we believe and value.

PeackActivity recently celebrated their 10 year anniversary in 2022. The company’s background in corporate retail, combined it with their entrepreneurial spirit, enabled them to create a company that leverages the latest technologies to quickly anticipate clients’ needs, solve their business challenges, and enable their progress on their digital journey. Those same ingredients attracted companies such as CITY Furniture, one of America’s Top 20 furniture retailers based in Broward county who announced they took an equity stake in PeakActivity just last year. This news, along with the Lexima acquisition put PeakActivity

PeakActivity provides expert leadership, skilled resources, and growth programs to elevate eCommerce and technology outcomes. The company’s talented strategists, designers and engineers have launched some of the largest eCommerce initiatives using the latest in headless technology, site optimization, and machine learning-enabled solutions.

If you’re looking to elevate your eCommerce experience, we’re the proven partner to climb with. For more information, visit www.PeakActivity.com or contact Hello@PeakActivity.com.

, , , , , ,
24
Jan, 2023

By Nikki Cabus

The City of Miami funds 5 tech nonprofits focused on youth initiatives

Read Time 2 Minutes

The City of Miami recently announced that it’s awarding $250,000 to Miami-based nonprofits focused on science and technology programs for youth.

The nonprofits will each receive $50,000 in funding. The nonprofits chosen are Breakthrough Miami, DoGood41, NFTE, Dibia Dream and South Florida Tech Hub member, CodeArt.

The funding is in an effort to support nonprofits that focus on diversifying the tech industry such as Code/Art that aims to get more girls involved in technology through the introduction of coding using art programming.

“Venture Miami has identified several avenues to provide access to high-quality, high-paying jobs, upskilling and retraining, small business support and digital transformation with the focus on expanding diversity and inclusion within the tech industry,” Suarez told the Miami Herald in a recent article.

The City’s initiative, Venture Miami, led by Executive Director Erick Gavin has also raised $4 million dollars, including $500,000 from the City, to help fund scholarships for Miami students accepted into science, technology, engineering and mathematics programs at higher education institutions such as University of Miami, Florida Memorial University, Florida International University, and Miami Dade College.

“This funding from Venture Miami will allow us to provide more girls with the opportunity to learn about computer science and technology in a fun & supportive environment,” Code Art posted on social media.

Code/Art is on a mission to increase the number of girls in computer science by delighting and inspiring them with the creative possibilities of computer programming. They strive to put young women, particularly young women from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, on track for future tech careers by providing welcoming early coding programs that focus on art, creativity and social good.

Code/Art does this through programing such as their upcoming Code Art Fest which is an annual coding conference for girls,
educators & tech enthusiasts. The 2023 conference will be held at the Idea Center at Miami Dade College on Saturday, March 11th.

For more information, visit www.code-art.com/codeartfest/

 

, , , ,
24
Jan, 2023

By Nikki Cabus

Palm Beach State College Designation as a Center For Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense

Read Time 4 Minutes

Palm Beach State College recently announced was approved as a designated Center for Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD).

The CAE-CD program focuses on providing a cybersecurity workforce to meet the needs of the nation, government, industry, and academia. Complementary in nature, the CAE-CD program focuses on technologies and techniques related to specialized cyber operations (e.g., collection, exploitation, and response) to enhance the national security posture of the Nation.

The stated goals of the CAE-CD program are to:

  • Reduce vulnerability in our national information infrastructure by promoting higher education and research in cyber defense
  • Produce a growing number of professionals with expertise in cyber defense disciplines
  • Proactively increase understanding of robust CD technology, policy, and practices that will enable our nation to prevent and respond to a catastrophic cyber event effectively
  • Contribute significantly to the advancement of state-of-the-art cyber defense knowledge and practice

The CAE-CD program is focused on several initiatives critical to the success of cyber workforce development. On the forefront, though, is addressing the need for qualified, skilled educators, who are the keys that unlock the door to a skilled cyber workforce. There is a recognized shortage of qualified educators, as the population of students continuing in cybersecurity to the doctoral or post-doctoral levels is shrinking, thereby limiting the number of those who can and will serve in the academic environment to teach. Schools consistently have multiple cybersecurity faculty positions open for long periods, and that is a critical limiting factor. Our recent partnership with the Palm Beach County School District underscores the colleges commitment to addressing this issue by providing faculty workshops and certification training to district and college faculty.

The designation process is a combination of elements related to the institution focused on outputs for determining academic achievement. This combination assures that the institution meets the desired characteristics of a CAE institution, and that the academic delivery to students is producing the qualified workforce needed by the nation. Palm Beach State College will receive the CAE-CD designation as a regionally accredited academic institutions offering cybersecurity degrees and/or certificates at the associate, and bachelor’s  levels. Palm Beach State College will now receive prestige for its status as CAE-CD  institution and represent the goal of vulnerability reduction in national information infrastructure. Promoting cyber defense in higher education and through research fosters critical cyber expertise and professionalism, worldwide. In addition to NSA and DHS, CAE funding is available from other sources such as the National Science Foundation. The programs as such include critical technologies surrounding cyber operations and specialties (collection, exploitation, etc.) that protect our national security infrastructure and are key elements for intelligence, law enforcement and military operations.

Institutions designated as CAEs in Cyber Defense:

  • Are recognized by the federal government for their cyber defense programs and curricula
  • Have curricula mapped to specified Knowledge Units, which align with the NICE Cybersecurity Workforce Framework, a cybersecurity language that educators, industry workers, and government organizations employ nationwide
  • Have degree programs that are a top choice for students who want to learn the necessary knowledge and skills to succeed in the cybersecurity workforce
  • Assist federal agencies by providing academic insight into cyber-related programs at DHS, NSA, and other federal agencies.
  • Serve as a potential source and facilitator for government-academic researcher exchanges
  • Facilitate the development of faculty and research leaders
  • Participate in an extensive network of cybersecurity professionals, educators, researchers, and advocates to grow the cyber field
  • Are privy to opportunities for student scholarships and grants through the Department of Defense Cyber Scholarship Program and the Federal CyberCorps Scholarship for Service Program

“We’ve been training students at the associate of science level since 2016,” said Dr. Don Gladney, interim dean, bachelor’s degree programs in PBSC’s 2022-2023 President’s Report.

“Our first-generation cybersecurity lab opened that year, and now we offer a Bachelor of Applied Science Degree in Information Management with a concentration in Security/Network Assurance that prepares people to manage and lead teams as opposed to just being a technician. The focus there is beyond tools and techniques, extending to developing policies, procedures, practices, audits, and the critical task of keeping senior management apprised of the state of security.”

The cybersecurity lab enablesprofessors to simulate all sorts of virtual environments without creating a potential hazard. “They are using the same penetration testing and network monitoring tools that are currently used in the industry. When they leave us, degree in hand, they can walk into a workplace and be ready to start on day one.”

At the end of the term, students participate in a “capstone” class incorporating all they have learned to resolve a real-world problem. “What sets us apart is that our capstone projects are presented not only to faculty but to members of our advisory boards comprised of some of the people who will eventually hire our students. It’s a crowning achievement,
right before commencement,” Dr. Gladney explained.

Palm Beach State is also creating cybersecurity career pathways in partnership with the School District of Palm Beach County. “Some public high schools focus on cybersecurity, and through dual-enrollment, students can get an early start on certifications for their associate degrees.”

Some of the baccalaureate students’ training extends beyond the classroom, even involving other universities. “We have done some ‘war game’ exercises with students from Florida State, where teams compete to break into systems – monitored very closely, of course – in a virtual environment that’s safe and secure. Teamwork and learning can be fun!”

, , ,
18
Jan, 2023

By Nikki Cabus

Cox Science Center announces they are increasing their campaign goal after receiving multimillions in donations

Read Time 5 Minutes

Cox Science Center and Aquarium (CSCA) leadership announced they are nearly doubling their campaign goal to $85 million.

According to CSCA board and capital campaign chairman Lew Crampton, a recent $8 million gift from Citadel founder and CEO Ken Griffin, coupled with a $10 million award from the State of Florida this summer, gave campaign leadership the confidence to nearly double their original goal announced last year.

In November 2021 Cox Science Center and Aquarium announced a $40 million capital campaign and $5 million endowment initiative and changed its name to reflect a transformational $20 million lead gift from Palm Beach residents Wendy and Howard Cox.

“Just 1 year ago we launched a hugely significant campaign for the Science Center,” said Lew Crampton, Board Member & former Director of the Cox Science Center & Aquarium, “and thanks to tremendous support, we are confident in expanding our original plans with a new goal of $85 million.

We’ve raised $60 million to date, which is 70% of our total goal, in the silent phase alone. Ken Griffin’s momentous commitment to prepare the next generation with STEM education – mastering data science, cloud computing, engineering and more – will make America competitive in a global market and is reflective of our board and other supporters’ vision for the Cox Science Center. We know Palm Beach County deserves a new, cutting-edge science center and our supporters agree.”

The expansion will include renovated spaces, a new three-story science pavilion visible from I-95, new outdoor exhibition spaces and one of Florida’s largest indoor aquariums.

Kate Arrizza, President and CEO for the Cox Science Center and Aquarium said, “Our strategic planning process has considered the projected growth of Palm Beach and surrounding counties – among the fastest in the nation.

Ken Griffin’s move of Citadel to South Florida and his investments in STEM Education is indicative of the influx of new residents in our market and the need for the community to have a state-of-the-art science center has increased exponentially. The expanded campaign goal will allow us to grow our attendance capabilities to serve nearly 1 million guests annually.”

Known for his catalytic giving across a range of areas including education and STEM initiatives, Griffin’s funding is earmarked for the expanded aquarium, with capacity of 200,000 gallons to take visitors through the Everglades, Florida’s inland rivers and Gulf Stream waters. With a focus on sharing the South Florida native’s love of the ocean, Griffin’s funding will also improve interactive educational experiences in Florida’s fifth largest aquarium setting. This will impact nearly 500,000 students annually, 70% of whom are Title 1.

“When students engage with the natural world, they develop an excitement about science that will drive progress for decades to come,” said Ken Griffin. “I hope the expanded aquarium will increase appreciation for our region’s dynamic ecosystem and the work required to preserve and protect it for future generations.”

New additions to the Cox Science Center and Aquarium’s expanded plans include:

  • An interactive extended reality experience, which will be an immersive space featuring 40-foot-tall projections on all four walls, displaying signature programs from rocket launches to deep sea exploration. Visitors will be able to directly interact with the projections using touch screens.
  • An expanded traveling exhibit designed to host more megahit exhibitions.
  • A Digital Arts Studio, which will expand to provide more skill set training such as software programming that aligns with high-demand jobs. An outreach program in partnership with Florida Atlantic University will digitize and nationally distribute the Center’s current video programs.
  • An indoor/outdoor exhibit area designed for early learners ages 6 and under.
  • Expanded programming in the Dekelboum Planetarium and Observatory.
  • An immersive learning lab that will serve as home base for FIRST LEGO League Teams and competitions.
  • An expanded biology lab that consolidates the Center’s preferred provider status to all medical magnet schools in Palm Beach County. Currently, the Center provides 30,000 frog/squid/shark/pig dissections annually, which could be doubled in the new space.
  • Expansion of the existing STEM Education Center that houses a state-of-the-art 3D printing program, coding instruction, and the Palm Beach Florida Chess Club.
  • The Center’s educational partnership with the Palm Beach County School District (the 10th largest district in the nation) will grow, doubling schools served to over 200, including 70 percent of Title I schools to serve English and Spanish speaking students.
  • GEMS (Girls Excelling in Math and Science) program and other distance learning programs will be expanded.

Naming and support opportunities are available for the expanded offerings. A groundbreaking is expected in late spring 2023 with a new targeted completion set for early 2026.

The Cox Science Center and Aquarium is located at 4801 Dreher Trail North in West Palm Beach, FL and its current indoor/outdoor venue features more than 100 hands-on educational exhibits, a 10,000-gallon fresh and saltwater aquarium, digital planetarium, Pre-K focused “Discovery Center,” 18-hole conservation-themed Mini-Golf Course and quarter mile-long outdoor science trail. The Cox Amphitheater hosts daily live science shows, seasonal laser shows and special event programming. One of its celebrated displays includes “Journey Through the Human Brain,” a permanent exhibit that features the most advanced neuroscience research in the world.

As of 2022, Cox Science Center and Aquarium earned the highest Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency rating on GuideStar in tandem with its perfect Charity Navigator score. The Platinum Seal of Transparency indicates that the Center shares clear and important information with the public about its goals, strategies, capabilities, achievements and progress indicators that highlight how it’s advancing its mission.

To learn more about the Cox Science Center’s capital campaign, visit www.CoxScienceCenter.org/Support-us.

, , , , , , , , , ,
18
Jan, 2023

By Nikki Cabus

Semantix Announces the Acquisition of Elemeno

Read Time 3 Minutes

Semantix, Inc., a leading Latin American end-to-end data platform provider recently announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire Elemeno Inc. (“Elemeno”), a US-based, cloud-managed, machine learning operations (MLOps) platform provider focused on helping businesses leverage the benefits of artificial intelligence.

Elemeno specifically aims to automate the development, deployment, and management of machine learning (ML) software with an easy-to-use interface and, in so doing, accelerate artificial intelligence adoption for businesses and organizations.

Founded in 2021 by Lucas Bonatto Miguel, Elemeno simplifies machine learning development by providing an end-to-end development framework, which includes not only automation but key no-code components for managing features and models, as well as an open software development kit (SDK) for custom use cases. With a fully managed, highly scalable infrastructure and a standard serverless architecture based on Kubernetes, Elemeno aims to allow customers to build ML models with ease and effortlessly resolve challenges that can be addressed through artificial intelligence.

“We announced an important step towards helping more companies to leverage Artificial Intelligence to run efficient businesses,” Miguel wrote in a recent social media post. “Elemeno is now part of the Semantix platform, and we’re just starting!

Just this past year, the Brazilian-based Semantix expanded to the United States. The company merged with Alpha Capital (ASPC), a special purpose acquisition company, or ‘SPAC’ focused on technology in Latin America.

It was the first technology SPAC from Brazil listed in the United States debuting on NASDAQ in August 2022 under STIX.

Semantix is a leading Latin American end-to-end data platform provider. The company now has more than 300 clients with operations in approximately 15 countries.

Semantix expects the acquisition of Elemeno to complement and enhance its flagship proprietary platform, the Semantix Data Platform (SDP), and specifically strengthen SDP’s MLOps suite. Semantix also anticipates that Elemeno’s highly skilled engineering team will increase its innovation and proprietary technology development capacities. The acquisition is as well expected to expand Semantix’s growing presence in the US, which continues to be a major strategic priority.

“Semantix remains committed to growing our proprietary SaaS business and expanding our presence in the US. The acquisition of Elemeno is fully aligned with these goals, with products and technology that are highly complementary to Semantix’s Data Platform,” said Leonardo Santos, CEO of Semantix.

“We look forward to welcoming Elemeno’s team and are excited about what we can achieve together.”

The transaction will be structured as a merger of a Semantix subsidiary with Elemeno, with the surviving company becoming a subsidiary of Semantix. The completion of this transaction is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions precedent. Semantix and Elemeno will each maintain their business in the ordinary course in an independent manner until the closing date of the transaction.

For more information, visit ir.semantix.ai.

, , , ,
18
Jan, 2023

By Nikki Cabus

ModMed Appoints Chief People Officer, Jody Beaverson

Read Time 2 Minutes

Boca Raton-based practice technology leader ModMed® is proud to announce the appointment of Jody Beaverson as its chief people officer.

Beaverson will help strengthen the company’s commitment to its people as it continues to grow in the specialty-specific software space.

Beaverson brings more than 20 years of progressive human resources leadership experience and expertise. She has a proven track record of successfully leading organizations through pivotal times of growth and transformation.

As ModMed’s chief people officer, Beaverson will be a central member of the executive leadership team and she will have responsibility for all aspects of the working experience of ModMed’s employees, including using her strategic leadership skills to champion ModMed’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.

Beaverson will report directly to the CEO and work directly with the executive team as a thought partner to shape the company’s human capital strategy.

“We are thrilled to have Jody join the ModMed family and lead our initiatives for attracting, retaining and supporting our workforce,” said Daniel Cane, ModMed co-founder and CEO.

“Her leadership skills and extensive experience will help support ModMed through rapid growth by providing inspirational leadership to all members of the organization.”

ModMed is transforming healthcare by placing doctors and patients at the center of care through an intelligent, specialty-specific cloud platform. With their electronic health records (EHR) and practice management (PM) systems, and revenue cycle management (RCM) services, ModMed’s  all-in-one solution empowers specialty medical practices by providing clinical, financial and operational software solutions.

ModMed staff physicians help to develop products and services for allergy, dermatology, gastroenterology, OBGYN, ophthalmology, orthopedics, otolaryngology, pain management, plastic surgery, podiatry and urology practices, as well as ambulatory surgery centers.

As the company continues to grow, making acquisitions, obtaining patents, and breaking records, they are hiring more and more technology and sales staff around the country, especially right here in South Florida. Beaverson will play an important role during their growth.

Ms. Beaverson most recently served as senior vice president, People Solutions, for Change Healthcare (CHNG). In this role, she and her team were responsible for developing, influencing and enabling the people strategy of the organization in support of achieving business objectives and creating a strong pipeline of talent to enable growth. She also led Change Healthcare’s Future of Work initiative, drove the enterprise people efforts throughout the pandemic, and was part of the core leadership team that successfully took the company public in 2019. Prior to that, she held several leadership roles with Emdeon and WebMD.

Beaverson recently relocated from Nashville to South Florida for the new position. She is an avid supporter of the American Heart Association and sat on the Greater Nashville Heart Walk Executive Leadership team for the last four years. Beaverson earned a bachelor’s degree in business management from Bowling Green State University.

For more information, visit modmed.com.

 

, , , , , ,
10
Jan, 2023

By Nikki Cabus

Ft. Lauderdale-based ShipMonk is growing again; 11th State-of-the-Art Fulfillment Center

Read Time 2 Minutes

Ft. Lauderdale-based commerce fulfillment solutions company, ShipMonk, is expanding again.

The first-in-class ecommerce 3PL (3rd party logistics) company, recently announced another expansion with their 11th state-of-the-art fulfillment center in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas.

Dallas-Fort Worth marks the 11th location in ShipMonk’s growing global network of 1st party fulfillment centers. This new facility is strategically positioned to maximize fast, easy, and affordable shipping. The fulfillment center is located within 1-day ground shipping from 5 of the 15 most highly-populated cities in the US. Further, the Dallas-Fort Worth facility is opening near the Port of Houston and within range of Texas’s other seaports, each of which creates new import options for ShipMonk’s new and existing ecommerce clients.

Jan Bednar, ShipMonk founder and CEO, notes, “Expanding our global operation creates greater opportunities for ecommerce business owners to lower shipping costs and shorten delivery times.”

He continued, “By distributing inventory across multiple facilities and leveraging ShipMonk’s Virtual Carrier Network, our clients are in the best possible situation to save on costs and dominate shipping timeframes.”

The fully-integrated fulfillment center will cover over 250K square feet of temperature-controlled storage and 39 loading docks.

Beyond the core benefits of our Dallas-Fort Worth expansion, clients will also enjoy:

  • Central Location for Reduced Transit Time
    The Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas fulfillment center maximizes shipping reach; 48 of the 50 most populated cities in the US are within 3-day ground shipping from this new facility. Dallas-Fort Worth puts inventory in incredibly close proximity to the southern US and within easy reach of the entire country.
  • Shipping Zone Savings
    With its centralized location, ShipMonk’s Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas fulfillment center will have lower average shipping zones than other coastally located facilities. Lower shipping zones translate to lower shipping costs on ecommerce orders. Note that 50% of the US population resides in Zone 5 or lower from the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
  • Distributed Ecommerce Inventory
    Adding Dallas-Fort Worth to ShipMonk’s fulfillment center footprint of 11 tech-enabled locations provides ShipMonk clients with another state-of-the-art, 1st party facility for their inventory. By strategically placing products closer to customers, shipping is faster and costs are lower.

ShipMonk proudly employs 2,000+ team members across 11 state-of-the-art facilities in the US, Canada, Mexico, and Europe. They are America’s fastest-growing third-party logistics provider (3PL) for DTC, B2B, and retail fulfillment across all verticals. ShipMonk’s enterprise-level services stand out amongst 3PLs thanks to seamless integrations, superior shipping, and powerful order, inventory, and warehouse management technology.

, , , , ,
10
Jan, 2023

By Riley Kaminer

Member Spotlight | Orion Innovations

Read Time 3 Minutes

Business: Software development consulting company working on AI, machine learning, and blockchain technologies 

Founded: 2008

HQ: Delray Beach, FL

Employees: 10

Website: GoOrion.com

For Marc Asselin’s whole life, he wanted to be an architect. He even went to school to study architecture. But in the 80s, he stumbled upon computer programming. 

And in Asselin’s words, “I never looked back.” Since then, Asselin has been enjoying being a software developer.

In 2008, Asselin launched Orion Innovation, a consulting firm focused on artificial intelligence, machine learning, and blockchain technology.

And Asselin started working on the blockchain way before it was in vogue, telling South Florida Tech Hub that at first he began by building blockchain-powered tools for clients in the oil and gas and real estate investment industries.

“We’ve always tried to apply blockchain technology to real use cases,” he said, citing the example of creating blockchain-based digital versions of paper contracts.

“Web3 is interesting, but it’s going to take a while to get there,” he said of the burgeoning movement that seeks to create a more decentralized version of the internet. “There are a lot of players pushing it forward. But where it will get really interesting is when there are more business use cases – not just consumers.”

Orion typically works with B2B clients, but recently it has begun working with the public sector – specifically the Department of Defense. Asselin is excited about the prospect of helping the government leverage innovations in AI, ML, blockchain, and more. 

One interesting example: creating so-called no-knowledge proofs. Take for example getting a drink at a bar. Currently, you have to show staff your ID that contains significantly more information than just your age: your home address, your full name, et cetera. With a no-knowledge proof, staff could simply be given a yes or no to the question, “Is this person of legal drinking age?” No more info required.

Orion has also begun to develop a spin-off product called Ava. “Ultimately, Ava came out of a lot of clients asking us for help organizing and cleaning their data,” said Asselin, noting that before data can be leveraged in tools like AI, it first needs to be labeled and easily accessible. 

In November, the team launched Ava in demo form, with a view towards rolling out a minimum viable product in June 2023. The ultimate goal: saving time and effort.

Ava has a few tricks up its sleeve though. For one, the output of the data can be viewed in three dimensions, using a VR/AR device such as the Magic Leap 2.

“You can walk into your data,” asserted Asselin, drawing parallels to Jarvis from Iron Man. Conversational AI will enable users to ask Ava’s platform questions, and have it respond. “There are an endless number of use cases,” he said, noting particular usefulness in the area of cybersecurity.

“At the end of the day, this product is designed to do the work of a significant number of data scientists,” he said.

Follow along on Ava Intelligence’s journey by visiting their LinkedIn page.

,
1 … 14 15 16 17 18 … 41

LATEST POSTS

SUBSCRIBE







Seedfunders Associate Network for new investors is catching momentum
FAU Tech Runway announces Venture Class 11 companies
Silicon Valley’s LeverX relocates HQ to South Florida and expands internationally
CP Group announces 17,786 sf of new flexible office suites in Boca Raton, includes a leading VC firm
Inaugural Venture Appreciation Night honors South Florida startup ecosystem
What Does 2023 Have in Store? A Review of New Technology Trends.
Miami-Dade Beacon Council Names Rodrick Miller President & CEO
South Florida-based PeakActivity acquires eCommerce software agency Lexima
The City of Miami funds 5 tech nonprofits focused on youth initiatives
Palm Beach State College Designation as a Center For Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense
Cox Science Center announces they are increasing their campaign goal after receiving multimillions in donations
Semantix Announces the Acquisition of Elemeno
ModMed Appoints Chief People Officer, Jody Beaverson
Ft. Lauderdale-based ShipMonk is growing again; 11th State-of-the-Art Fulfillment Center
Member Spotlight | Orion Innovations