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8+ things to know in #MiamiTech: News from CodePath, Boomerang, 1909, Kiwibot, Open Opportunity Fund, Plei, CentralReach & more

Nancy Dahlberg
Nancy Dahlberg
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1

CodePath awarded $5M grant from Google.org’s AI Opportunity Fund

Miami-based nonprofit organization  CodePath has been awarded a $5 million grant from Google.org to train 25,000 more computer science students to become AI-native engineers. The new grant is part of Google’s $75 million AI Opportunity Fund.

CodePath, founded seven years ago, is dedicated to reprogramming higher education to create the most diverse generation of engineers, CTOs, and founders. Since its founding,  CodePath has trained more than 20,000 students.

“We are constantly hearing from universities that they need help to meet the growing demands from computer science students who want to leave school at an industry-ready level and companies who need to hire graduates prepared for the future of AI native software e.gineering,” said CodePath CEO and co-founder Michael Ellison, in a LinkedIn post. “Working together with Google, we will expand that talent pipeline and ensure that underserved student communities are given access to critically important resources that will enable them to secure the most competitive technical roles.”

In addition to the grant, CodePath was accepted into Google.org’s first generative AI accelerator. As part of the program, CodePath prototyped and launched a career coaching bot for students that provides immediate and personalized career support. CodePath also plans to roll out various AI-driven solutions including front-line class support, technical tutoring, and personalized course and program recommendations.

Overall, CodePath alumni see an 80% increase in successful job or internship placement, and Black, Latino/a, and Indigenous alumni see a 97% increase in successful job or internship placement. The average salary after graduation is $92,000.

2

Boomerang wins Rome airport business

Boomerang announced it was a winner of the prestigious 2024 Aeroporti Di Roma  global ‘Call for Startups’ competition, which attracted 700 applicants. The award brings a transformative partnership with Aeroporti Di Roma, where Boomerang will implement the new Lost & Found platform for Fiumicino Airport, enhancing the customer experience for over 40 million travelers annually.

 In addition to the commercial partnership, Boomerang could benefit from investment by ADR Ventures and gain access to ADR’s extensive corporate network, unlocking potential collaborations with other forward-thinking airports, airlines, and key players in the travel industry.

 Miami based Boomerang, led by co-founder and CEO Skyler Logsdon, is a lost and found technology platform that reconnects people with their lost items and the . collaboration marks a significant step in Boomerang’s mission to become the global leader in item recovery, Logsdon said.

3

1909 incubator wins Palm Beach County grant

Startup and small business incubator 1909 in West Palm Beach was awarded a $250,000 grant from Palm Beach County to bolster its support services, which include workspaces, mentorship programs, events and more, the South Florida Business Journal reported.

1909, named after Palm Beach County’s founding year,  will now be able to continue its programming and business education training beyond the accelerator stage, she said. The goal is to help more startups and homegrown businesses scale in Palm Beach County, instead of shutting down or leaving the region for other markets.

Last December, the organization leased a 9,000-square-foot office space at the historic Comeau Building in downtown West Palm featuring offices, event space, conference rooms, a quiet room and a gym. Read more here.

4

Kiwibot acquires adtech startup

Robotics startup Kiwibot acquired a Florida-based adtech startup to turn its delivery robots into mobile billboards.

According to a report in TechCrunch, Kiwibot plunked down $25 million to purchase Tampa-based Nickelytics, which specializes in car-wrap advertising. It has since branched out into truck advertising, as well as digital ads through displays like the tablets found in the backseat of ridesharing cars.  The Miami-based robotics startup is particularly interested in Nickelytics’ data analytics. That, combined with Kiwibot’s route mapping, offers advertisers an opportunity to spread the word in high-traffic spots spread out across more than 20 states.

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Kiwibots CEO Felipe Chavez said of the deal: “By integrating our technologies and scaling our operations, we’re laying the groundwork for global expansion and continued innovation that will bring a new edge to advertising.” As part of the deal, Nickelytics CEO Judah Longgrear will join Kiwibot as a co-founder. Read more here.

5

Open Opportunity Fund adds general partner

Open Opportunity Fund, a technology venture capital firm led by Paul Judge and Marcelo Claure, announced that Sháka Rasheed, financial services and technology executive, has joined the firm as General Partner. Throughout his career, he has raised billions in capital across various investor segments, including family offices, pension funds, endowments, foundations, and sovereign governments, among others. Most recently, he was Senior Vice President at Salesforce, where he managed the company’s billion-dollar Strategic Banking and Wealth Management business.

“His deep expertise in financial services and proven track record in driving growth will be instrumental as we continue to scale our organization and expand our investment capabilities.” Said Judge, Open Opportunity Fund’s Managing Partner.

Open Opportunity Fund is focused on investing in software companies, including enterprise IT, artificial intelligence, fintech, and digital health sectors. Opportunity Fund 1 is a $100M fund with SoftBank as an anchor LP. The firm has invested in 75 Black- and Latino-led tech companies including Atomic, Brex, Career Karma, Cityblock Health, Eight Sleep, Esusu, Lumu, Paystand, QuickNode, Squire, and Subject. In 2023, the team acquired the Fund from SoftBank and announced Fund 2 to continue to execute the thesis.

6

Goal! Pickup soccer app Plei scores big partnership

Miami-based Plei, the leading pick-up soccer app in the US,  recently announced a partnership with LaLiga, one of the top football leagues in the world, home to giants like Real Madrid and Barcelona FC.

Originally created in 2023, “El Partidazo” – which translates to the great game – allows fans in North America to celebrate their fandom of LALIGA, with watch parties for the biggest games in the Spanish soccer calendar. The core event series will feature two-day events, built around some of the biggest matches in the LALIGA season. On day one, in partnership with Plei, LLNA will host a Pre-Party, with a “King of the Turf” format of pick-up soccer games. LALIGA Ambassadors will be on hand to meet the local community, watch the games, and give out exclusive prizes to the winners, including signed LALIGA merchandise.

“Plei is delighted to partner with LALIGA North America to create unforgettable experiences for fans across the United States,” said Sebastian Duque, CEO and co-founder of Plei. “The Plei pickup soccer app is built around connecting fans with one another, and creating opportunities for people to come together and play this beautiful game we love. It’s therefore a very natural partnership for us to join forces with LLNA, to celebrate the game in North America, and build incredible events together in the El Partidazo series.”

7

Fort Lauderdale’s CentralReach makes key acquisition

CentralReach, the Fort Lauderdale based provider of software for Autism care, has  acquired Behavior Science Technology, a research-based treatment latform designed to collect, measure, and track treatment fidelity for Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy in a standardized way. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

CentralReach  reports that demand for autism and IDD care services is projected to grow 10.4% by year end. This strategic acquisition marks a significant milestone in CentralReach’s mission to provide the most complete AI-powered care management platform that arms each member of the care team with the tools they need to improve treatment fidelity, supervision effectiveness, and caregiver engagement, while enhancing the quality and consistency of care provided to individuals with autism. Once integrated, Care360 alongside CentralReach’s EMR will offer ABA providers a path towards measurement-based care that can be brought to payers to support their approach towards care.

BST Co-founders Tricia Glick and Troy Glick along with Abigail Blackman will be joining CentralReach.

8

Report: Florida No. 2 for solar energy jobs – and tops for growth

Nearly 12% of the new jobs the U.S. solar energy gained in 2023 were based in Florida. The Sunshine State ranked No. 2 nationwide for solar jobs, with a total of 14,108 workers. Florida added 1,841 new solar jobs in 2023.

Those were findings in the Interstate Renewable Energy Council’s National Solar Jobs Census. Solar jobs increased in 47 states in 2023, with the biggest gains in Florida, Texas, Arizona and Nevada.

The US added 15,564 solar jobs last year to reach a total of 279,447 workers, the highest number of total workers ever recorded in the U.S. solar industry. Read more in Miami Inno.

PLUS

Opportunity knocks

  • The Florida Venture Forum is now accepting presenter applications for the  2025 Florida Venture Capital Conference  March 3-5, 2025at the Loews Coral Gables.  Apply here.
  • Endeavor Miami  is accepting applications for its next ScaleUp Program. Apply for ScaleUp here.
  • The Miami Downtown Development Authority is offering $1.1 million in incentives to attract businesses seeking to move to or expand their operations to Downtown Miami’s Central Business District, Arts & Entertainment District or Brickell. The program offers grants up to $25,000 per business for startups, and is flexible to allow businesses to either operate out of a co-working space or lease their own dedicated office space. Grants up to $50,000 are available for mid-size businesses and ground floor retail operators moving into downtown. Learn more 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.

ICYMI

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 featuring startup news, tech job opportunities and events. Thank you for supporting Refresh Miami.

Nancy Dahlberg
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