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8+ things to know in #MiamiTech: New CEO role for Fred Voccala, plus news from Tech Basel Miami AI Summit, Quantum Coast Capital, Anthology, Miami Dade College, Miami Tech Works, Fort Lauderdale job creation & more

Nancy Dahlberg
Nancy Dahlberg
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1

Fred Voccola to lead Australian tech company Simpro from Miami, plans massive hiring

Fred Voccola, former CEO of Miami-based  tech company Kaseya,  has been appointed CEO and chairman of Simpro Group, a leader in AI-powered field service solutions for commercial and residential trades.  Voccola will remain based in Miami, which will be the North American headquarters for the Australian company.

Simpro Group said Voccola brings a proven track record from his decade as CEO of Kaseya, where he grew revenue from $85 million to over $1.5 billion.   His mandate at Simpro: to build the first AI-powered operating system for the commercial and residential trades that streamlines operations, eliminates inefficiencies, and boosts margins for trade businesses worldwide. Simpro already supports 450,000 users worldwide with teams across the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, and the U.K.

“Commercial and residential trades representing more than $150 billion in global economic activity are the backbone of modern society,” Voccola said. “They build our homes and schools, maintain our hospitals, protect our businesses, keep air, water, and energy flowing; even the future of AI – the data centers, the servers, the cooling systems – relies on them. The trades build our world and keep us moving forward. Simpro builds the platform that pays them back.”

Voccola said he plans to hire “several hundred” people in South Florida over the next 18 months and could add as many as 1,000 local employees in the next three years, the South Florida Business Journal reported.  At Kaseya, he grew the company from 500 to nearly 5,000 employees across its U.S. and global offices.

2

Tech Basel Miami AI Summit announces speakers

Keynote speakers from Meta, Hugging Face and ARK Invest, panel discussions and workshops are all on tap for Tech Basel Miami AI Summit coming to Coconut Grove Mayfair House on  Dec. 3. The summit, from 9 am to 6:30, is designed to foster cross-sector collaboration and transformation across AI, finance, healthcare,and national security. 

This full-day experience, hosted by eMerge Americas and Miami AI Hub, is intentionally designed for a curated group of the most influential minds in artificial intelligence, including Fortune 500 C-suite executives, leading AI researchers, startup founders, venture capitalists, military and government leaders, institutional investors and heads of global innovation. Attendance is by application only. The summit will also serve as the official kick-off for the 2026 eMerge Americas conference + expo happening April 23-24.Tech

“As eMerge Americas celebrates five incredible years of putting on the Tech Basel Summit, we’re excited to usher in a new chapter with the launch of the Tech Basel AI Summit,” said Melissa Medina, CEO & Co-founder of eMerge Americas. “This evolution reflects both Miami’s rise as a global tech hub and the transformative power of artificial intelligence. Our goal has always been to create a platform where innovators, investors, and thought leaders can shape the future, and AI is at the center of that future.”

Speakers include over 30 globally-recognized CEOs, chief scientists, defense strategists, policymakers and founders, including Clem Delangue, Co-founder & CEO at Hugging Face, the home of more than 5 million AI builders who share, create, and build over 3 million public models, datasets, and apps. During Delangue’s keynote at Tech Basel AI Summit, Delangue will share his vision for the future of artificial intelligence and robotics, and will explore how transparency, collaboration, and community are transforming AI from black-box systems into powerful, accessible tools that anyone can build with. 

Rohit Patel, director of Meta Superintelligence Labs at, is known for making complex AI concepts clear and actionable. He will speak on generative AI, the future of LLMs and AI’s business impact. Cathie Wood, founder, CEO + CIO at ARK Invest,  will share her insights on the next wave of transformative opportunities that will define our economy.  Other speakers include Leon Kuperman, CTO/Co-founder of Miami-based Cast AI; Bora Celenk, Co-Founder & CEO at 4A Labs; and Saxon Baum, Partner at FLF (Florida Funders). Tickets start at $250. Apply here.

IN MORE CONFERENCE NEWS: President Trump to speak at upcoming America Business Forum and Reimagining Urban Spaces: Global voices converge at Smart City Expo Miami

3

Quantum Coast Capital and Florida Opportunity Fund sign MOU to advance quantum investment

The Florida Opportunity Fund announced a Memorandum of Understanding with Quantum Coast Capital, formalizing a strategic partnership to accelerate investment in quantum technology and advanced computing. The signing, which took place during Quantum Beach 2025 in West Palm Beach, establishes a framework for identifying, evaluating, and co-investing in companies developing quantum-related technologies, including quantum computing, networking, and sensing applications within Florida.

“Florida has a history of taking big swings on technology, and today is one of those moments,” said Matt Cimaglia, managing partner of Quantum Coast Capital. “Through this collaboration, we’re not just funding innovation — we’re helping shape a quantum ecosystem that brings together entrepreneurs, researchers, and state leadership.”

Founded in South Florida, Quantum Coast Capital is one of the few venture firms in the country dedicated entirely to quantum investment. The firm is partnering with public institutions, private companies, and researchers to bring quantum innovations from lab to market. Quantum Beach 2025 recently brought together leaders from government, academia, and industry in West Palm Beach to explore the future of quantum technology.

READ MORE: Quantum Beach will bring the science of tomorrow to the coast of Florida today

4

Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance helps bring over 700 new jobs to Broward

The Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance, Broward County’s economic development organization, helped secure $139 million in capital investments for 11 companies creating 716 new jobs and retaining another 211 during the 2024-2025 fiscal year, the South Florida Business Journal reported.

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They included NakAI Robotics, an Israeli manufacturer of autonomous robots for commercial ship hull inspection and cleaning, Pherros Biosciences, a Deerfield Beach pharmaceutical company expanding its local production facility, Transpire Bio, a biopharmaceutical company that develops inhaled therapeutics moving into Pembroke Pines, and Decoral System USA, a decorative powder coating technology firm that expanded in Coral Springs.

This week, multinational pharmaceutical company Lupin also announced it will invest in a new Coral Springs, manufacturing facility in Coral Springs. The Alliance has helped businesses create or retain more than 22,850 direct jobs since 2016. Read more here.

5

Boca-based edtech Anthology files Chapter 11

Boca Raton-based edtech company Anthology, which provides software and services to K-12 and higher education institutions, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy four years after acquiring Blackboard in a deal valued at $3 billion. It plans to sell its enterprise operations, life cycle engagement, and student success businesses, the South Florida Business Journal reported.

“With the strong support of our investors, a recapitalized teaching and learning platform is well positioned to invest in new capabilities, drive greater efficiency, and help our customers stay focused on what matters most: delivering exceptional outcomes for students,”  CEO Bruce Dahlgren said in a statement. Read more here.

6

Terrabank partners with Miami Dade College to launch AI training

Terrabank has teamed up with Miami Dade College to roll out an intensive artificial intelligence  training program for all employees, reinforcing the bank’s commitment to innovation, empowerment and long-term career development.

The custom program, known as the AI Clinic, is designed to raise the level of AI proficiency across the bank’s workforce. The curriculum is tailored to Terrabank’s needs with modules designed for senior leadership, managers and staff. Terrabank expects the AI Clinic to strengthen its operations across all departments, while creating measurable improvements in productivity, efficiency and customer service.

More than 130 employees from every department are expected to complete the course, which combines online learning with in-person workshops. By the end of the program, participants will be able to program their own AI agents, apply a variety of AI tools to their daily work and design solutions that improve efficiency and service quality.

“AI empowers people, it doesn’t replace them,” said Pedro A. Santos, Executive Director of Emerging Technologies at MDC. “This program is about giving Terrabank employees the tools to grow, learn and lead in the digital economy.”

7

Miami Tech Works hosts GovTech Employment Forum


This month, Miami Tech Works hosted thefirst GovTech Employment Forumat the Florida International University Steven J. Green School International & Public Affairs. Over a hundred students from MDC and FIU attended the event that featured speakers from the FBI, Southern Command, US Naval Intelligence, WhiteHawk CEC, CACI International, PHAROS Mission Critical Solutions, Miami Dade County, and City of Coral Gables. Miami-Dade County alone employs around 30,000 people, with tech skills being in high demand.

The event included a full day of talks, panels, and networking. Topics included career pathways, the importance of internships and work-based learning, the impact of AI, security clearances, networking opportunities, and more. Job opportunities discussed included cybersecurity, civic data management, data science and analytics, digital forensics, risk and resilience, and more. Florida is a top 3 state in terms of companies and citizens being targeted by bad actors, with fraud related to healthcare and finances being the biggest threats.

8

Jobs, jobs, jobs

Babylon Health – Desktop Support Engineer
Betr – Associate Product Manager
Chewy – Director of Data Engineering and Analytics
Dermasensor – Product Development and Engineering Manager
Gotu – Performance Marketing Manager
Handtevy – Sr Frontend Software Engineer
Kandji – Engineering Manager
Kandji – Sr Brand Designer
Kaseya – Staff Software Engineer
Lennar – IT Vendor Management Analyst
Lennar – Lead Cloud Platform Engineer
Papa – MX Operations Advisor I

Find hundreds more jobs on Refresh Miami’s job board here.

PLUS

Opportunity knocks

  • eMerge Americas is hosting the ¡CELEBRAR! Pitch Competition next week and it’s open to all Hispanic/LatinX founders. The winner of the competition at The LAB Miami on Oct. 15 will receive a $2,500 grant prize and be fast-tracked to the eMerge Global Startup Accelerator + Showcase 2026. Enter the contest here.
  • Build your funding and soft-landing plan with the Miami Downtown Development Authority Oct. 15 from 4 pm to 6 pm at ManaTech. This session spotlights the Miami DDA Business Incentive Program, with a deep dive on the Startup Grant pathway, and how early-stage companies can leverage Miami DDA support to launch, hire, and grow in the urban core. You will meet the team, understand eligibility, and learn how to position your application for success across Brickell, the Central Business District, and the Arts & Entertainment District. Register here.
  •  The University of Florida and Mana Tech are accepting applications for the GatorPitch Miami competition. Learn more and apply here by Oct. 8.
  •  The 2025 SXSW Pitch Showcase, now in its 18th year, is a premier startup competition spotlighting 45 startups across nine industry categories — from AI and Healthcare to Sustainability and FinTech. Finalists will pitch live in Austin, March 13-14, 2026, before investors and industry leaders. Past participants have gone on to raise over $23B in funding. Apply here by Nov. 7.
  • The Alan B. Levan NSU Broward Center of Innovation is accepting applications for its 100 Startup Project Scholarship program. Ten startups will receive a one-year membership to the Levan Center of Innovation. Apply here.

ICYMI

Have news to report? Email Nancy Dahlberg at nancy@refreshmiami.com and follow her on X @ndahlberg and on LinkedIn. Subscribe to Refresh Miami’s free weekly newsletter here featuring startup news, tech job opportunities and events. Thank you for supporting Refresh Miami and paywall-free news.

Nancy Dahlberg
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