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Fort Lauderdale’s Datacore raises $60M in PE funding
DataCore Software, a Fort Lauderdale-based technology company that specializes in the data infrastructure and management space, raised $60 million in funding led by Vistara Growth, a private equity firm. DataCore plans to use the funds to expand its technology offerings and operational agility.
Founded in 1998 and led by CEO Dave Zabrowski, DataCore Software delivers software-defined storage solutions for the core, edge, and cloud. With a comprehensive product suite, intellectual property portfolio, and experience in storage virtualization and advanced data services, the company has served over 10,000 customers worldwide, assisting them in storing, protecting, and accessing data. DataCore employs more than 300 people.
“As a pioneer in data storage and infrastructure solutions, DataCore is well positioned to capitalize on the increasing data volumes generated by corporate digital transformations. DataCore’s track record of delivering cutting-edge infrastructure solutions is supported by 25 years of R&D and innovation further enhanced by strategic acquisitions,” said John O’Donoghue, who led the investment for Vistara Growth.
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SureImpact releases impact-data solution
SureImpact, a Miami-based startup that provides an impact management and reporting solutions specifically designed for social-good providers and their funders, announced the availability of SureImpact Nonprofit in the Microsoft Azure Marketplace.
“Funders and donors are requiring impact data. What was once only possible for those who had big budgets for data scientists and third-party evaluators is now available in real-time and built on Microsoft Azure,” said Sheri Chaney Jones, CEO and founder of SureImpact.
Over 420 nonprofits have used SureImpact’s platform to enhance their operational efficiency and data-driven decision-making and share their measurable impact story. SureImpact’s software collectively serves more than 200,000 clients across 439 organizations.
READ MORE: SureImpact is pioneering data-driven social change, from Ohio to Miami
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Rapid Innovation Accelerator on way
Last week marked the soft launch of the Department of Defense Office of Small Business Programs’ Rapid Innovation Accelerator in Miami-Dade County.
The goal is to better connect programs like Florida APEX Accelerator, the Mentor Protege Program and Florida SBDC at FIU to foster innovation and bring real opportunities to small businesses to enable them to contribute to national defense, Lab22c President Saif Ishoof said in a LinkedIn post. “The presence of General Laura J. Richardson, Commander of US Southern Command, and Madeline Pumariega, president of Miami Dade College, underscored the importance of this initiative and the importance of the growing innovation base in Miami,” Ishoof said. Stay tuned.
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SelfDecode launches AI feature
SelfDecode, a provider of personalized health and wellness solutions, recently launched of a new feature aiming to transform the landscape of precision health: DecodyGPT. The Miami startup says this precision health GPT tool harnesses the power of AI to provide users with tailored insights, guidance, and solutions.
“With DecodyGPT, we’re taking personalized health to the next level,” says Joe Cohen, founder and CEO of SelfDecode. “This isn’t just another chatbot – it’s a sophisticated AI health coach that understands your unique genetic makeup, health history, and individual goals. Whether you’re managing chronic conditions, optimizing your wellness routine, or simply seeking answers to your health questions, DecodyGPT is there to guide you every step of the way. It’s like ChatGPT, but can answer health questions specifically designed for your body.”
Features of the new tool include tailored recommendations and insights based on your DNA, lab results, lifestyle choices, symptoms, and health objectives as well as instant responses to your health-related queries using a holistic approach. Precision Health GPT continually learns from user interactions, ensuring up-to-date and relevant information.
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Endeavor Miami announces pitch competition winners
Endeavor Miami announced the results of its 2024 Endeavor Pitch Competition, supported by JPMorganChase and partnered with Dell Technologies for Startups, Delta Latam, BrainStation, and Insperity. At LoanDepot Park earlier this summer, 10 startups presented their business pitches with about 100 community members in attendance.
The 10 finalists, Bankuish, Carbon Limit Co., Checktobuild, Clear Closer, Dapta, illow, Keybe, Lamatic, Rella, VendorConnect, received pitch training from Endeavor and were judged by Kori Hale, CEO and Co-Founder of CultureBanx; Jo Mikkola, CEO of Tech Equity Miami; and Mark Volcheck, Founding Managing Partner at Las Olas VC.
The first place winner was Rodrigo Irarrazaval with Illow, a website privacy compliance startup, and the second place winner was Tim Sperry Leonar with Carbon Limit, a climatetech startup focused on the concrete industry. Illow received $10K worth of Dell equipment, one Delta ticket, two 1-hour mentorship sessions with an Endeavor mentor, seats for BrainStation tech workshops, and a fast track to the Endeavor program. Carbon Limit received $5K worth of Dell equipment, one Delta ticket, one seat for BrainStation workshops, and one mentorship session.
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AE Industrial Partners closes $1.28B fund
AE Industrial Partners, a Boca Raton-based private equity firm specializing in national security, aerospace and industrial services with $62 billion of assets under management, announced the close of its third flagship private equity fund, AE Industrial Partners Fund III, LP, with total capital commitments of $1.28 billion.
Fund III will make control investments in the critical “toll gates” across the aerospace and defense supply chains and support key industry suppliers as they scale up production to meet ongoing and increased demand from their respective end markets. The fund has already deployed add-on investments in York Space Systems, RedLattice, Firefly Aerospace, Yingling Aviation and Calca Solutions.
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More news to note
- The Levan Center of Innovation at NSU announced a new strategic partnership with Fort Lauderdale United FC, a Division 1 women’s soccer team competing in the new USL Super League. Fort Lauderdale United FC has established its offices within the Levan Center of Innovation. The Levan Center will leverage its expertise to assist Fort Lauderdale United FC in ideating, incubating, and accelerating their growth. In turn, Fort Lauderdale United FC will integrate the Levan Center’s resources into their network, fostering a mutually beneficial relationship to yield advancements in sports, technology, and community engagement.
- UrbanLink Air Mobility in South Florida has entered into a partnership agreement with Skyway Technologies Corp., a leading vertiport development and operations company based in California, for the joint placement of vertiports for eVTOL service in key U.S. and Caribbean markets. UrbanLink and Skyway plan to release more details on specific vertiport routes and locations in South Florida and Puerto Rico over the next six months. This partnership marks UrbanLink’s second collaboration with an established vertiport developer. Its eVTOL service with Lilium jets is expected to start in 2026.
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Who’s hiring?
| Handtevy – DevOps Engineer HEALE – Chief Marketing Officer HEALE – Chief Operations Officer Human Interest – Sr Revenue Marketing Manager Insightec – Business Performance Analyst Kaseya – Sr Analyst GTM Strategy & Operations Kaseya – Sr Project Manager Millennium – Data Engineer REEF – IT Manager Spot Pet Insurance – Product Designer |
See hundreds more on Refresh Miami’s job board.
PLUS
Opportunity knocks
- Endeavor Miami is accepting applications for its fall EndeavorLAB Cohort for early-stage female founders. The two-month accelerator program is free to founders, thanks to the support of JPMorgan Chase, and concludes with a DemoDay event. Applications are open now through Aug. 10 here.
- As part of its 100 Startup Project Scholarship Program, The Levan Center of Innovation is offering 10 entrepreneurs a one-year membership to the Levan Center of Innovation, thanks to the support of Memorial Healthcare System. Apply here.
READ MORE IN REFRESH MIAMI:
- Why Miami? Q&A with Alpaca VC’s David Goldberg on the city’s rise as a tech hub
- South Florida VC tumbles in Q2, although national picture is brighter, Pitchbook report shows. Who raised the most?
- The sky’s the limit for Hextronics after landing $2M seed from Founders Fund
- Dono raises $3.7M for AI-powered homeownership verification platform
- SKROL closes $1.2M, launches business acquisition platform to pioneer the tech-powered future of SMBs
- FloSpine secures $1.7M in funding as it focuses on sales of flagship medical device
- From lockdown blues to boom: Miami entrepreneur builds platform to help homeowners
- Your next smart eyewear? It’s music (and AI) to your ears
- Local teacher excels in 4Geeks bootcamp and lands new opportunity in data science and machine learning
- 6+ things to know in #MiamiTech: Grant Cardone lists with Propy, plus news from Taxfyle, Eve Air Mobility, UKG, Triangulate Labs & more
Have news to report? Email Nancy Dahlberg at nancy@refreshmiami.com and follow her on X @ndahlberg. Subscribe to Refresh Miami’s free weekly newsletter here. Thank you for supporting Refresh Miami.
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