By Riley Kaminer
When David Azar first arrived in Miami nearly two decades ago, our tech community was barely a blip on the radar. It was the early days of Refresh Miami, and as a young entrepreneur fresh out of college, Azar saw firsthand how small and fragmented the local scene was.
Azar’s journey in tech started even earlier. As a teenager in France, he built an affiliate marketing website for a professional basketball team before the concept had even gained traction. That early exposure to digital innovation fueled his passion, and after moving to Miami for college, he immersed himself in the city’s evolving startup ecosystem.
Years later, when the opportunity arose to launch a Miami chapter of French Tech – a global initiative backed by the French government to support entrepreneurs – he saw it as a natural extension of what Refresh Miami had started.
“The goal is to help French entrepreneurs scale their businesses in the U.S. by connecting them with the right people, right away,” Azar told Refresh Miami. “It’s about creating a nurturing ecosystem where founders can find support, advice, and funding without the usual barriers.”
French Tech Miami operates as a nonprofit, led by private entrepreneurs who volunteer their time to build the community. The initiative provides a launchpad for French founders and tech professionals, offering networking opportunities, mentorship, and even financial support through government-backed programs. While many of its members are French, the group welcomes anyone interested in growing Miami’s innovation landscape.
One of its flagship events is French Tech Capital Days, an annual gathering designed to bridge the gap between European startups and the U.S. market. What started as an intimate startup pitch night at a Brickell restaurant has evolved into a full-scale conference featuring dozens of startups, investors, and thought leaders.
“We saw what Art Basel did for the art world in Miami,” Azar said. “There was nothing like that for venture capital and startups. French Tech Capital Days aims to change that.”
The event has grown significantly over the past few years, from just four startups pitching in its inaugural edition to 30 companies last year. French Tech Miami works closely with universities, incubators, and investors to identify promising startups ready to expand into the U.S. market. Many of them are seeking capital to fuel their growth, and this year’s event is doubling down on that focus. This year’s event takes place on April 7th and 8th.
“There’s a huge gap when it comes to funding in Miami,” Azar explained. “The city ranks first in the U.S. for deals under a million dollars, but for larger investments, it’s way down the list. The challenge isn’t a lack of capital, it’s that the process is still so informal. A lot of deals happen over a round of golf rather than through structured networks.”
To tackle this, French Tech Capital Days is introducing an investment-focused corner where startups can directly connect with angels, VCs, and institutional investors. The goal isn’t just to host a pitch competition, but to create real funding opportunities that help startups establish a foothold in Miami.
Beyond the conference, French Tech Miami hosts monthly meetups featuring speakers from major tech companies. Past guests have included the CTO of Chanel and the founder of Hugging Face, a leading AI company with roots in Miami. These gatherings provide a platform for entrepreneurs to exchange ideas, forge partnerships, and gain insights from industry leaders.
Azar, now one of three co-presidents of French Tech Miami alongside Bertrand Leroux and Corine Busson-Benhammou, is optimistic about the city’s future. “I’ve always believed Miami is an incredible place to live and build a business,” he said. “Our mission is to make sure that entrepreneurs – whether they’re from France or anywhere else – know that Miami is an option and can find the support they need here.”
Pictured at top of post: A French Tech Capital Days event in Miami.
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