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6+ things to know in #MiamiTech: News about coworking, Terran Orbital, Black Angels Miami, ThriveDX, Guident, Fursure & more

Nancy Dahlberg
Nancy Dahlberg
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1

Coworking rates rising fast in South Florida

Miami-Dade and Broward counties have among the fastest-growing average desk rates for coworking space in North America, according to a recent report from The Instant Group, a digital listing service for flexible office and meeting rooms. The Average desk rate in the first quarter of 2023 for Miami-Dade County was $666, an increase of 6% from the previous year and office rents in Broward County went up 8% to an average rate of $605, according to a report in the South Florida Business Journal.  

The Instant Group report noted that Miami, Phoenix, and Austin are coworking “hotspots” because those places were attracting new businesses with their “warmer climate, improved lifestyles, and tax breaks.” It also where “demand is far outstripping supply, putting existing supply under pressure” and “causing rates to rise as they become a sellers’ market,” the report said. Read more in the South Florida Business Journal.

In other coworking news, the SFBJ also reported The Office Evolution leased 6,918 square feet of space near Boca Raton, opening a location in the International Plaza building at 7284 W. Palmetto Park Road in unincorporated Palm Beach County. Office Evolution locations are already open in Coral Springs and Plantation and another is planned for West Palm Beach.

2

Terran Orbital named to Time100 ‘Most Influential Companies’

Time magazine named Terran Orbital to the TIME100 Most Influential Companies list, honoring the satellite manufacturer and services provider and 99 other firms for their “extraordinary impact around the world,” a list that includesindustry leaders, innovators, disruptors, and tech titans from around the globe Terran Orbital was spotlighted for its design, production, launch planning, mission operations, and in-orbit support for military, civil, and commercial satellite customers.

“Terran Orbital is honored to join the ranks of a TIME100 Most Influential Companies list that has included the likes of Apple, Amazon, Google-parent Alphabet, Disney, Microsoft, Moderna, Ford, and the NFL,” said Marc Bell, Terran Orbital’s chairman, CEO and co-founder.

Time’s recognition comes as Terran Orbital marks its 10th anniversary. Recent accomplishments include developing and co-operating the Cislunar Autonomous Positioning System Technology Operations and Navigation Experiment (CAPSTONE). Terran Orbital worked in cooperation with NASA and Advanced Space on the groundbreaking mission involving a 55-pound lunar orbiter. CAPSTONE is playing a critical role in facilitating NASA’s historic Artemis program, which seeks to return astronauts to the lunar surface, by verifying the calculated orbital stability for the Lunar Gateway space station.

Terran Orbital is currently working on over 30 programs and is currently manufacturing more than 360 satellites.

3

Kevin Cadette steps down from helm of Black Angels Miami

Kevin Cadette, founding Executive Director of Black Angels Miami, stepped down from the helm of the organization after three and a half years to “embrace new challenges.” Founded in 2020, BAM is on a mission is to increase the number of Black angel investors in Miami and nationwide and connect them with deal flow in technology.

“I’m deeply privileged to have served as BAM’s founding Executive Director, leading it through transformative times. We’ve bridged venture capital and early-stage investing, introducing new avenues to new Angel investors. And strengthening ties with veteran investors. Our efforts have resulted in millions of dollars invested in to Black Founders and General Partners in Funds, a testament to our collective commitment,” said Cadette, who moved to Miami with his family just before the pandemic for the BAM job.

“Although I’m stepping down from my full-time role, my commitment to BAM is unwavering. I will continue to serve as a passionate supporter, investor, advisor, and active community member. My family and I are now rooted in Miami, having never second-guessed our move here. I am eager to embrace the future,” he continued.

4

ThriveDX launches Cyber Academy for Enterprises

 ThriveDX, the global cybersecurity and digital skills training company based in Coral Gables, recently announced the launch of its Cyber Academy for Enterprise, which it describes as an end-to-end training solution that enables businesses and government agencies to cultivate their internal talents while simultaneously attracting diverse external candidates for cybersecurity positions. The Cyber Academy offers pre-training screening, intensive training, and post-training matching to facilitate an efficient talent acquisition and development process, the company said. The need is big: with  more than 3.5 million unfilled cybersecurity jobs worldwide and some  80% of organizations attributing one or more recent breaches to a lack of cybersecurity talent and skills within their companies.  

The program is already working at one of its leading partners, CyberProof. Following the first successful round of training, twelve graduates from ThriveDX’s Cyber Academy are now working as SOC Tier 1 analysts. 

5

Guident wins Space Florida funding

Boca Raton-based Guident Autonomous Intelligence and Novelsat Limited of  Israel were recipients of funding from Space Florida-Israel Innovation Partnership Program. The program, with $2 million available in funding, has supported the research, development, and commercialization of aerospace and related technology projects for the benefit of Florida’s and Israel’s economy over the past 10 years.

In compliance with regulations for operating autonomous vehicles on public roads in numerous U.S. states, a Remote Monitor and Control Center (RMCC) solution is required and under this program, will be developed by Guident and Novelsat. [Read more about Guidant in Refresh Miami.]

 To date, Space Florida and the Israel Innovation Authority have facilitated the funding of $20 million in vital and innovative research awards.

6

Fursure launches its own pet insurance

Fursure,  a Miami-based startup that offers a pet insurance marketplace and other financial offerings, is launching its own pet insurance product.

Founded by Catherin Dennig and Keji Xu three years ago, Fusure has spent the last two years talking to pet parents, selling other pet insurance policies, and learning about the gaps in the market to create a product that addresses the core pain points, Dennig said in a Linkedin post.

Most pet insurance companies require you to pay upfront for treatment, which means in an emergency, you may have to front the bill for thousands of dollars. Fursure Insurance will pay your vet directly. Find out more here.

Last fall, Fursure raised a $3 million round of funding led by MaC Ventures, bringing the total funding raised to $6.6 million. Pet Insurance will be available in select states this summer.

Plus

Opportunity knocks

  • Women in Tech and Entrepreneurship launched its fourth chapter in Fort Lauderdale in partnership with the Alan B. Levan, NSU Broward Center of Innovation. Based in Tampa, the organization was founded to empower women in technology and entrepreneurship. The groups are hosting an open house at the Levan Center  July 26. 
  • Want to build a career in tech but facing financial barriers? The Ironhack x eMerge Americas Community Impact Scholarship can help you break down those barriers and launch your dream career. Apply here.
  •  Venture Miami  and The Shrimp Society have partnered up to launch the Built in Miami Startup Program, a year-long initiative designed to support early-stage entrepreneurs in Miami. The Built in Miami Startup Program, free for participants, will feature three tracts for entrepreneurs at each stage of their startup journey: the Zero to One Sprint program, the Builders Summer Series, and the Miami Startup Accelerator. Applications for the Zero to One Startup Sprint are now open and can be accessed via builtmiami.com 
  • The Venture Miami Scholarship Fund provides tuition support to provide gap funding for at-need City of Miami residents who have been accepted into STEM or defined-demand occupation programs at participating colleges and universities, including Florida International University, Florida Memorial University, Miami Dade College, and the University of Miami. How to apply: Students who meet the program requirements and are interested in applying to the Venture Miami scholarship are encourage to complete this survey to begin the application process.
  • EndeavorLAB, an 8-week cohort-based initiative that equips founders with curriculum, mentorship and resources to grow their business, is accepting applications for its Black Founders Cohort Powered by Dell For Startups that begins in October. To be eligible, Black founders must be based in Florida, have achieved product-market fit, and are generating $50K to $500K in annual revenue. The program costs are covered by the sponsors.  Apply here by Sept. 10.

ICYMI

Got news? Email Nancy Dahlberg @[email protected] and follow me on Twitter @ndahlberg

Nancy Dahlberg
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