1
OnChain Studios partners with 8k Games
OnChain Studios announced a partnership with 8k Games to expand the play experiences available on the Cryptoys platform. 8k Games will be part of the Cryptoys Play Partner Program, which is designed for gaming studios to develop games, apps, and experiences for the Cryptoys platform under a revenue share model, the Miami-based startup said.
“We’ve had a great long standing relationship with 8k Games and are very excited to be working with them to bring more experiences to the Cryptoys platform. Cryptoys is pioneering a new frontier in the world of digital toys and we couldn’t be more proud of what’s to come through this partnership and beyond,” said Will Weinraub, CEO and co-founder of OnChain Studios.
Cryptoys is reimagining the future of toys by offering digital toys that enable true ownership and can be used across various digital experiences. The startup has created their own original characters, and most recently joined forces with Disney, Mattel, and NASCAR to bring fan-favorite characters to the Cryptoyverse. The collaboration with 8k Games, alongside OnChain Studios’ own developments, will accelerate the number of available games and reduce the time to market for these experiences.
2
BrightNight receives $440M strategic investment
BrightNight, a West Palm Beach-based renewable power company launched in 2019 that aims to provide large-scale green energy at low cost to utilities, commercial and industrial clients, and landowners, recently announced a $440 million strategic growth equity investment from the Infrastructure business at Goldman Sachs Alternatives, the South Florida Business Journal reported. The company works with customers across the U.S. to design, develop and operate renewable energy projects, including solar, wind and battery storage initiatives.
This investment, together with existing capital commitments, is expected to fully fund BrightNight’s five-year business plan and advance execution of its 31-gigawatt renewable power project portfolio enhanced by its proprietary AI software platform, PowerAlpha. The transaction is expected to close in September 2024.
BrightNight previously received a $500 million investment from private equity firm Global Infrastructure Partners that closed in 2022. “We have quickly established a large and differentiated portfolio in high-demand growth markets seeking decarbonizing renewable energy solutions to meet growing load and reliability needs,” said BrightNight CEO Martin Hermann. Read more here.
3
Robotaxis are coming to Miami via Zoox
Amazon.com’s robotaxi unit Zoox has announced that plans to begin testing its autonomous vehicles in Miami and Austin. Zoox will deploy its test fleet of retrofitted Toyota Highlanders with human safety drivers in small areas near the business and entertainment districts of the two cities, it said in a statement. Miami and Austin will mark the fourth and fifth public testing locations for Zoox, having already established operations in San Francisco, Las Vegas and Seattle.
Zoox said it will not offer public rides in Austin and Miami yet but is exploring several cities for commercial offerings after its initial launch in its target markets of Las Vegas and San Francisco. In California and Nevada, Zoox has been testing its self-designed autonomous vehicles that are built without steering wheels and pedals and have room for four passengers, with two facing each other.
4
And water taxis too!
UrbanLink Air Mobility, a South Florida-based advanced air mobility (AAM) operator, has entered into a partnership with Belfast-based Artemis Technologies, the leading manufacturer of all-electric seaborne vessels.
As part of the agreement, UrbanLink will purchase 20 Artemis EF-12 Escape crafts, a zero-emission luxury water taxi, with plans to operate in designated locations in Florida, California and the Caribbean. The partnership also includes an option to operate the larger Artemis EF-24 Passenger ferry in the future. UrbanLink’s sea craft service launch date is slated for the first quarter of 2026 and will seamlessly integrate with its eVTOL route network, enhancing operational capabilities in designated markets.
Artemis Technologies is at the forefront of the maritime industry’s push towards decarbonization, according to UrbanLink Chairman Ed Wegal. Their revolutionary Artemis eFoiler electric propulsion system, featuring a high-voltage battery energy storage system and ultra-high power density electric drivetrain, sets a new standard in maritime transport.
“Our strategic vision is supported by three pillars: regional eVTOL aircraft, long-range electric aircraft, and carbon-free sea craft,” said Wegel. “The Artemis EF-12, and eventually the EF-24, are integral to our strategy. These highly efficient, zero emissions crafts will seamlessly integrate with our eVTOL route network, enhancing our operational capabilities in our designated markets.”
He says they plan to deploy these crafts along both Florida coasts, as well as from San Juan to various destinations in Puerto Rico and inter-island routes.
5
HealthSnap releases health outcomes report
HealthSnap, an integrated virtual care management platform that helps healthcare organizations improve patient outcomes, reduce utilization, and diversify revenue streams, found that 81.4% of patients using the Miami-based startup’s virtual management technology were able to lose weight, and patients signficantly lowered their blood glucose levels and blood pressure, too. That is according to the findings of its 2024 Clinical Outcomes Report. The report highlights the impact of integrated Remote Patient Monitoring and Chronic Care Management on hypertension, obesity, and type II diabetes management.
HealthSnap currently partners with over 150 health systems and provider organizations nationwide. The study evaluated aggregate, de-identified health data for 41,940 patients from HealthSnap’s RPM portals tailored by use case and required inclusion criteria of at least 90 days on the program and a data transmission rate of at least 50%. These improvements have been shown to profoundly affect overall patient health, including reduced chronic disease risks, fewer emergency room visits and hospitalizations, improved A1c levels, and help to prevent hypertension and diabetes-related damage to eyes and kidneys.
“We found that by keeping people out of the emergency room, by keeping them out of the hospital, providing them with quicker access to the primary care or specialist office should their condition deteriorate – that HealthSnap RPM and CCM does decrease the total cost of care and increase quality and experience for our patients,” said Dr. Bill Gerard, EVP of Value Based Care & Clinical Integration at Prisma Health, and CEO of inVio Health Network.
Read the 2024 Clinical Outcomes Report here.
6
Miami Dade College receives $2.8M from NSF to advance an AI workforce
Miami Dade College, in partnership with Houston Community College and Maricopa County Community College District, has been awarded $2.8 million from the National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Education program to create the National Applied Artificial Intelligence Consortium to foster the growth of technician-level artificial intelligence professionals across the nation.
To address the shortage of skilled AI professionals who can apply AI solutions to real-world problems, the MDC-led consortium will serve as a national reference and resource hub for AI education and training, providing leadership, guidance and support for community colleges that want to develop or enhance their AI programs and courses. The goal: to advance the education and training of a diverse and highly skilled technical workforce in the field of AI and prepare students for rewarding careers in AI-related fields.
“We are proud of Miami Dade College’s role as a national leader in AI education and workforce development,” said MDC President Madeline Pumariega. “It is an honor to be entrusted with this important initiative and work alongside other excellent institutions to establish best practices and grow the AI talent pool.”
7
More #MiamiTech news to note
- New coworking space for Boca: Venture X, a coworking company, secured the 28,959 square foot top floor of a downtown Boca Raton office building that is undergoing a multimillion dollar renovation and is slated to move in in the third quarter of 2025, according to the South Florida Business Journal. The office campus, called Palmetto Central, includes amenities such as a tenant lounge, fitness center, and a conference facility. Boca is a suburban hotspot for coworking spaces with approximately 20 locations, a recent study by RentCafe stated. Coworking giant IWG opened its third Regus location in Boca Raton in June due to Boca Raton’s growth. Read more here.
- Doodles partners up with AriZona: Doodles, the Miami-based next generation media company behind the upcoming animated special “Dullsville and the Doodleverse,” announced a collaboration with AriZona Beverages: a limited edition Doodles-branded Iced Tea with Lemon drink, blending art, nostalgia, and a classic American refreshment, the companies said. The collaboration features AriZona’s famous 20oz Tallboy bottles adorned with a special wrap that combines AriZona’s iconic classic Lemon Tea design with collectible Doodles artwork, available for purchase through Doodles’ and AriZona’s e-commerce platform. Additionally, individual bottles will be stocked at select bodegas in New York City, SoCal, and Miami for a limited time. Each bottle features a QR code that enters consumers into a contest for a VIP trip to ‘Dullsville and the Doodleverse’ Preview Event in Toronto Sept. 7.
- Osigu appoints COO: Osigu, a Miami-based healthtech company, announced the appointment of Ross Stoddard as Chief Operating Officer. Stoddard has held key leadership roles, inclusing at Oracle Health – Cerner, where he served in various roles ranging from revenue cycle implementation to leading teams in Latin America as part of Cerner’s non-US expansion strategy. Last year, Osigu processed 1.5 million transactions, totaling a GMV of $650 million, and the company is on track to achieve ARR of $11.6 million by the end of 2024. “Osigu is poised at the intersection of healthcare and fintech in a region brimming with demand for a more efficient and effective healthcare ecosystem,” said Stoddard. READ MORE: Processing 1.5 million transactions last year, Osigu is transforming health revenue cycle management in LatAm
- Alpha Schools, an Austin-based private school chain, will open its first South Florida location in South Miami-Dade, initially leasing part of Gulliver Preparatory School’s underutilized facilities. The campus, which is set to open on Aug, 14, will serve up to 250 students using artificial intelligence-assisted tech learning that can adjust to the needs of individual students, the South Florida Business Journal reported. Founded in 2014, Alpha Schools has campuses in Austin, Brownsville, Texas; and Denver, with plans to expand to Silicon Valle. Read more here.
8-PLUS
Opportunity knocks
- The Levan Center of Innovation at NSU’s Accelerate Program for Life Science & HealthTech Startups is looking for startups with their product or service in the marketplace, generating revenue and ready to scale. The free 11-week program, designed to help entrepreneurs increase funding, customers, and revenue streams, kicks off on September 9th and wraps up on November 22nd, 2024. Founders will meet on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 8:30 – 11 AM with their facilitator to discuss various topics to support their growth, including financials, pitch coaching, marketing, legal, HR, fundraising, and technology. RApply by Aug. 9.
- 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 also open now through Aug. 10 here. Endeavor Miami is also accepting applications for its next ScaleUp Program. Apply for ScaleUp here.
- The Miami Downtown Development Authority (DDA) 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
- Raad Labs raises $2.25M in quest to revolutionize weather data collection via web3
- Miami’s Sell2Rent solves a problem for people in financial distress, enabling them to stay in their homes
- With $4B in real estate transactions under its belt, Propy continues to push the boundaries
- How a supermodel is helping change the face of tech
- Bondex brings web3 innovation to professional networking
- University of Miami launches new startup accelerator for student entrepreneurs with $5M donation
- She used to design your favorite t-shirts and home goods. Now, she’s working with AI
- Student-led, AI-based innovation wins $25K in Ford Foundation competition
- 6+ things to know in #MiamiTech: Jake Paul’s new startup raises millions, plus news from UKG, Analytic Partners, Endeavor Miami, FAU and more, plus who’s hiring
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.
- Top AIG exec to join Palantir to lead global financial services - September 2, 2026
- 8+ things to know in #MiamiTech: News from NEXA, A1R water, SPARC South Florida, tech salaries, Guident, Remitian, jobs opportunities & more - August 29, 2026
- For the win, Miami-based basketball startup league Unrivaled raises $100M+ Series C - August 26, 2026