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3 things to know in #MiamiTech: e-cargo bikes take to streets, ShipMonk honored, plus opportunities knock

Nancy Dahlberg
Nancy Dahlberg
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1 REEF Technology on the move with DHL pilot

You may soon start seeing these cute e-cargo bikes on the mean streets of downtown Miami.

Miami-based startup REEF Technology is partnering with logistics giant DHL Express on a pilot program to deploy four environmentally friendly cargo bikes for last-mile deliveries across downtown Miami.

The two companies are bringing the environmentally friendly e-Cargo Cycles to Miami as part of the DHL GoGreen goal to reduce its carbon footprint by  implementing clean pickup and delivery solutions for 70% of its operations by 2025. Each three-wheel e-Cargo Cycle deployed enables DHL to take one conventional delivery van off the road, reducing road traffic, noise and pollution while still providing fast efficient deliveries for customers. DHL introduced its four-wheel Cubicycle in Europe in 2015.

The SoftBank-backed REEF is re-imagining the common parking lot by creating last-block mobility and logistical hubs that serve the needs of cities. REEF manages the hubs that will serve as the home base for the e-Cargo Cycles that DHL is using during this pilot.

“We are excited to partner with DHL and the City of Miami to shape the future of last-block delivery,” said REEF Technology CEO Ari Ojalvo. “We appreciate Commissioner Manolo Reyes and his leadership on this issue from the outset and are grateful to Mayor Suarez, Ken Russell the District 2 Commissioner, the Downtown Development Authority, as well as the Miami Parking Authority for leading the way to make freight deliveries safer and more sustainable for the entire community.”

Earlier this month, REEF’s subsidiary REEF Kitchens entered into a multi-location licensing  agreement with antibiotic-free burger chain BurgerFi. The delivery-only neighborhood kitchens, now a national network of 70-plus across 18 cities, area key component of REEF’s hubs. “We are thrilled to be the first national burger brand to partner with REEF Kitchens,” said Charlie Guzzetta, Chief Brand Development Officer for BurgerFi. “As we learned more about REEF, the synergy between our two brands was hard to ignore.”

2 Opportunities knock

  • For the month of May, the Endeavor Miami team is holding Open Office Hours for all South Florida entrepreneurs. It’s important for entrepreneurs to receive support as we all adapt to this “new normal,” Endeavor Miami says. To sign up for these 30 minute, one on one sessions, register here.
  • Krillion Ventures and the Knight Foundation have partnered to launch SWAT305, an initiative providing free one-on-one coaching and non-financial resources to South Florida startup businesses and entrepreneurs. More than 100 Miami-Dade-based startups have already reached out to SWAT305 for assistance. Apply here.
  • You’re working hard to start, build or grow your business. The industry showcase at the virtual Synapse Converge June 9-11 will provide you with an opportunity to “find what you need and share what you have.” FinTech, HealthTech, Energy & Sustainability or AI, Cyber & Data Science companies are encouraged to apply. Applications Close on Friday, May 22. Apply here.

3 ShipMonk ranks high among Americas’ fastest growing companies

Congratulations to ShipMonk, the logistics-tech company that ranked 39th on the Financial Times ranking of the 500 fastest growing businesses in the Americas. Revenue between 2015-1018 grew 2,470%. The FT list was compiled with Statista, a research company, and ranks entrants from across the Americas by compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in revenue between 2015 and 2018.

Follow @ndahlberg on Twitter and email her at [email protected]

 

Nancy Dahlberg
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