There’s never been more support for global founders looking to enter the US market through South Florida.
By Riley Kaminer
It’s increasingly clear to international entrepreneurs that Miami is about way more than fun in the sun (although we do have lots of that, too).
Rather, Miami is increasingly a gateway for international businesses: a melting pot of cultures, and a thriving hub for international trade and business. Today, it is also becoming a premier destination for foreign startups looking to establish a foothold in the US market. This transformation is, in part, driven by a series of innovative soft-landing services designed to support these international businesses in their transition to the American business environment.
A recent case in point comes from Endeavor Miami, a key player in fostering high-impact entrepreneurship locally, which will participate in the White House’s $1 billion fund dedicated to supporting Latin American founders. “By mobilizing anchor investment, this initiative is not only providing potential financial resources but also fostering an environment where innovation and economic growth can thrive,” said Claudia Durán, managing director of Endeavor Miami and regional managing director for North America, in announcing the partnership. Endeavor Miami will provide the founders with strategic advice, mentorship and connections required to scale their businesses successfully.
Soft-landing programs typically offer a range of services including office space, mentorship, networking opportunities, and access to local resources, all aimed at helping foreign companies navigate the complexities of entering a new market. These services play a crucial role in fostering entrepreneurship and innovation, making Miami and South Florida attractive destinations for businesses from around the world.
“Soft-landing centers are an important resource for international ventures looking to expand in Florida because they facilitate the entry process with targeted introductions to important stakeholders, lend credibility to the venture and give access to useful data,” Andrew S. Duffell, the president of the Research Park at Florida Atlantic University, told Refresh Miami. “Experienced and comprehensive centers, such as [FAU’s soft landing program] Global Ventures, are very effective at ensuring the transition is smooth and the incoming venture is productive as quickly as possible.”
In this article, we explore some of the key programs offering soft-landing services in Miami – shedding light on how they are helping international entrepreneurs find success stateside. From full-service soft-landing programs to specialized initiatives for Hispanic and women entrepreneurs to services tailored to tech and scientific communities, Miami offers a diverse array of support systems.
Let’s meet them:
Mana Tech
Mana Tech, part of Mana Common, is dedicated to transforming Miami into a global tech hub by offering comprehensive support for tech startups. This program provides office spaces, mentorship from industry leaders, significant networking opportunities, and access to capital. Mana Tech fosters collaboration through events, workshops, and hackathons, encouraging knowledge sharing and community building. Its extensive network of partners and investors ensures startups receive the necessary support to succeed in the competitive US market, making it an ideal platform for international tech companies to establish a presence and thrive.
“After four years of supporting over 500 entrepreneurs from more than 250 startups across 18 countries, I can confirm that soft landing programs play a crucial role in establishing Miami as a tech hub and connecting international entrepreneurs with the US market,” shared Inés M. Lucena, Tech Community Builder at Mana Tech.
“At Mana Tech, our mission is to help foreign entrepreneurs understand the “dos” and “don’ts” and the culture of the US business environment. The US, being one of the largest markets worldwide, offers numerous opportunities for success,” she continued. “However, without adaptation, failure is likely. To avoid failure, startups need to first validate if their technology fits the market, identify their niche, learn how to target it, and assess their readiness to face these new challenges. This is equally important when planning to raise capital from US investors.”
FAU Global Ventures
From their HQ in Boca Raton, FAU Global Ventures provides a platform for international businesses to connect with local resources and opportunities across South Florida. The program offers access to office space, mentorship, legal support, and strategic partnerships to help businesses scale effectively. Global Ventures focuses on tech companies with at least $1 million in annual sales and six or more employees.
(Pictured at the top of this post are startups from ProChile who visited Global Ventures for a week this summer. They are all technology companies who are planning their U.S. market expansion with the assistance of Global Ventures and ProChile.)
CIC’s International Soft Landing Program
Since launching its first cohort in 2016, CIC globally has supported over 300 startups from 22 countries – half of whom have taken part in CIC’s Miami programs. The organization, which has a footprint across 11 cities worldwide, provides tailored solutions to help entrepreneurs smoothly transition across markets, with advisory services running the gamut from market fit to legal compliance – and everything in between.
Alejandra Winter, Director of Soft Landing at CIC, explained: “We provide entrepreneurs with the tools they need to navigate new markets and overcome challenges, accelerating their growth on the international stage. The goal is for startups to envision their internationalization strategies with the aim of becoming transnational companies.”
The Miami-Dade Beacon Council
The Miami-Dade Beacon Council is the county’s official economic development partnership responsible for attracting and retaining companies that create high-value jobs and invest in Miami. No stranger to the Miami business scene, The Beacon Council was established in 1985 and has brought $8 Billion of investment (and more than 120,000 jobs) to our community. They offer soft-landing services like networking, site selection, research, and more.
LEVL5 Internationalize Soft Landing Program at the Levan Center
The LEVL5 Internationalize Soft Landing Program at the Alan B. Levan NSU Broward Center of Innovation focuses on accelerating market entry for foreign companies. This program provides tailored services, including legal and financial advice, market research, and strategic partnerships.
“The Levan Center’s geographic location, physical infrastructure, programs, events, services, and access to professional networks provides a portal for successful U.S. market entry,” John Wensveen, the Chief Innovation Officer at Nova Southeastern University and Executive Director of the Levan Center, told Refresh Miami.
“South Florida is experiencing a remarkable surge in innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship, driven by its strategic location, robust infrastructure, and growing access to funding. Soft landing programs are crucial here, providing international businesses with essential resources like market research, office space, mentorship, and networking, which mitigate risks and accelerate market entry.”
“Entrepreneurs benefit from the region’s thriving tech hubs, increased investment in FinTech, HealthTech, and MedTech, SportsTech, smart cities initiatives, and space technology programs like LEVL5: SPACE DOCK at NSU. There’s also a strong emphasis on sustainability, AI integration, and promoting diversity within the tech sector. This dynamic environment makes South Florida an ideal destination for entrepreneurs seeking new opportunities and a supportive ecosystem.”
Venture Hive
The Venture Hive Accelerator Program is designed to fast-track the growth of startups through intensive mentorship, resources, and networking opportunities. The program offers a structured curriculum covering all aspects of business development, from product design to market entry strategies. International scaleups especially benefit from Venture Hive’s extensive network and support system, helping them navigate the complexities of the US market.
The Idea Center at Miami Dade College
The Idea Center at Miami Dade College is an innovation hub that has launched a soft-landing program for newly-arrived immigrants.
IMPACTIFI
IMPACTIFI, founded by Terry Grandal, is focused on supporting impact-driven ventures by providing a comprehensive suite of resources and mentorship to help businesses scale sustainably. This company offers services to facilitate companies’ entry into the U.S. market and connecting them to global opportunities, ensuring a seamless transition and growth.
According to Grandal: “South Florida is a top choice for our clients entering the U.S. market for several compelling reasons: its strategic geographic location as a bridge to both North and Latin America, a thriving multicultural environment that fosters diverse business practices, a robust economic infrastructure that supports growth and innovation, and access to a vast network of international trade and finance resources. At IMPACTIFI, we enhance these advantages by providing a comprehensive approach to navigating the complexities of internationalization. We guide them on everything from compliance to market engagement, ensuring that our clients can effectively leverage South Florida’s dynamic marketplace.”
Manutara Ventures
In collaboration with CIC, early-stage venture capital fund Manutara Ventures is launching a program to help Latin American startups establish their presence in the U.S. The firm, originally from Chile but with operations in Miami, announced in a statement that it chose 20 startups for a virtual preparation program aimed at eventually soft-landing in Miami.
Hispanic Entrepreneur Initiative
The Hispanic Entrepreneur Initiative (HEI) offers culturally relevant resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities specifically designed to support Hispanic entrepreneurs, including a sub-program geared toward female entrepreneurs. HEI addresses unique challenges faced by Hispanic businesses, providing essential support to help them expand into the US market.
Miami Scientific Italian Community
The Miami Scientific Italian Community is a network dedicated to supporting Italian businesses and researchers in Miami. This community facilitates access to local resources, networking opportunities, and specialized support for scientific and technological ventures. By promoting collaboration between Italian and American businesses, the community helps bridge the gap between the two markets, fostering innovation and growth.
Opportunities for Israeli Entrepreneurs
Israeli entrepreneurs have a variety of opportunities to land in South Florida. Additionally, new Miami VC 1948 Ventures is enabling investors to support Israeli dual-use startups.
Lazo
Lazo is dedicated to accelerating the growth of international startups by providing a comprehensive ecosystem of support services. This program offers customized solutions including market entry strategies, access to a broad network of investors and industry experts, and essential business resources. Located in Miami, Lazo serves as a bridge for foreign companies looking to enter the US market, ensuring they have the tools and guidance needed to succeed. With a focus on innovation and strategic partnerships, Lazo empowers startups to navigate the complexities of the American business landscape and achieve sustainable growth.
Your Local Embassy/Consulate!
For the purposes of this report, we focused primarily on private sector and academic initiatives. However, public institutions such as consulates and international trade organizations often also provide soft-landing services.
One such organization is the Trade Commission of Chile. “Soft landing programs are a really important strategy for us,” Claudia Serrer, Chile’s Miami-based Trade Commissioner for the Southeast USA, told Refresh Miami. This year, around 40 Chilean companies passed through the various programs Serrer and team ran, focusing on a diverse range of sectors: from climatetech to healthtech to IT.
“These programs are a tool for them to understand the market and business culture of the U.S., meet with key stakeholders, and develop their network. Normally, it would take a company a lot of time to do this on their own. Roughly 30% of the companies that participate in our various soft-landing programs go on to open up their companies in the US and have a presence in the market.”
If there is a soft-landing program or initiative we have missed, please let us know because we want to keep this list updated. Email nancy@refreshmiami.com.
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