1

In-Depth Look at the South Florida Collaboration Featuring Stephen Ross

At last week’s eMerge Americas conference, a significant new partnership was unveiled with the aim of establishing South Florida as a premier global entry point and innovation hub for technology, capital, and entrepreneurship. This strategic initiative is designed to create connections between international investors and high-growth industries, alongside Florida’s diverse regional markets. The project builds on existing momentum that has successfully drawn firms, particularly within the financial services sector, to the area.

Founded through the collaborative efforts of the Florida Council of 100, eMerge Americas, and Related Ross, this initiative seeks to enhance accessibility for entrepreneurs. It will provide vital support through infrastructure improvements and accelerator programs specifically tailored for innovative businesses. The initiative encompasses Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties and will forge partnerships with key entities such as the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County, the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance, and Miami-Dade Beacon Council. By working alongside both public and private sector partners, the initiative aims to maximize its impact throughout the region.

Florida’s rapidly growing industries present a robust foundation on which to build. Currently, South Florida accounts for a remarkable 38.7% of the state’s finance GDP. Additionally, the initiative is set to bolster sectors such as medtech, which boasts a staggering $114.6 billion value and employs over 419,000 individuals in Southeastern Florida alone. Other focus areas include aerospace, cleantech, and logistics technology. Notably, South Florida’s tech landscape is experiencing unprecedented growth, with Southeastern Florida attracting an impressive 65% of all venture capital raised in the state.

“Great cities are not simply built; they emerge from the synergies between talent and partnerships,” stated Stephen Ross, CEO and chairman of Related Companies, during the announcement that was aligned with discussions held at the eMerge Americas conference. “As we navigate this age of rapid technological change, South Florida is well-positioned to emerge as a center for innovation. Through initiatives like this, we can connect educational institutions, entrepreneurial programs, and sources of capital, thereby fostering a favorable environment for American businesses to thrive.”

In this collaborative effort, the Florida Council of 100 is tasked with facilitating a smooth entry into Florida’s broader business ecosystem. Meanwhile, eMerge Americas will leverage its extensive international network to attract venture capital, startups, and corporate partners. Related Ross is dedicated to developing world-class commercial spaces and innovation hubs aimed at supporting sustainable growth in Palm Beach County, as highlighted by the project’s partners. They are also committed to tracking key metrics involving investment, job creation, and overall economic expansion. The existing ecosystem is expected to benefit from further developments, such as Vanderbilt University planning a graduate school campus and the Cleveland Clinic’s plans for a new hospital and cancer research facility.

“We’ve witnessed firsthand how South Florida has evolved into a global hub for both investment and innovation,” remarked Melissa Medina, CEO and Co-founder of eMerge Americas. “This partnership is harnessing the current momentum, positioning Florida as the go-to destination for tech-driven global business operations.”

READ MORE: Explore the intersection of global innovation and local opportunities during eMerge Americas Day 2

2

Aestro AI Unveils Revolutionary Debt Recovery Solution Across the US and Latin America

Aestro AI, a pioneering firm based in Miami, is harnessing the power of artificial intelligence to radically alter the landscape of debt recovery, unveiling its latest solutions in both the U.S. and Latin American markets. Designed to address the pressing issue of hard-to-recover debts, Aestro’s AI-driven platform offers fintechs and community banks an intelligent, automated, and significantly cost-efficient approach to the final stages of debt recovery.

Today’s fintech firms and financial institutions face an increasing burden of non-performing loans, which adversely affect their financial health and elevate capital costs. Traditional debt collection tactics are often slow, cumbersome, and prone to failure in recovering crucial funds. With Aestro AI’s advanced integration of AI-based legal strategies, the platform improves litigation recovery rates and streamlines operational costs, enhancing overall efficiency for financial entities.

“We are fundamentally transforming debt recovery by embedding state-of-the-art AI into legal processes,” asserted Aestro AI’s CEO Hernando Barreto. “Our innovative platform speeds up collection processes, enhances efficiency, and equips fintechs with a robust advantage for minimizing financial risks.” By introducing Aestro AI’s solutions at eMerge Americas, the company is demonstrating how AI-enhanced litigation can serve as a pivotal solution for financial institutions grappling with uncollected debts.

The user-friendly interface of Aestro AI’s platform is crafted to seamlessly dovetail with both fintech operations and community banks. By employing advanced AI models, the platform assesses the likelihood of successful debt recovery, prioritizes cases with the highest potential for recovery, automates essential legal workflows, and oversees the complete litigation process from start to finish.

3

Introducing a New Kind of Wellness: AI-Powered Massage Robots Making Their Debut in Local Gyms

AIBotics, a technology firm out of Miami, is on the brink of revolutionizing the South Florida wellness sector with its innovative AI-powered massage robot, named Phill. The company recently announced plans to initiate a pilot program in collaboration with a local fitness center, with the name of the center yet to be disclosed. AIBotics has reported that negotiations for this partnership are in the concluding stages, as detailed by the South Florida Business Journal.

Recently, AIBotics formalized an agreement with GMF Ventures, LLC—based in Fort Lauderdale—to design the user interface and user experience for the Phill robot. This advanced device boasts a foldable arm offering a range of 35 inches and a massage force of 15 pounds. Leveraging machine learning and robotics, Phill tailors each massage session to the individual needs of users. The technology underpinning Phill enables it to adapt in real time to an individual’s body type, muscle tension, and personal preferences, ultimately delivering a massage experience that closely resembles that of a skilled human therapist.

4

Mark Your Calendars: Miami AI Agent Summit Approaches This April 5th

Miami is gearing up to be a focal point in the global conversation surrounding artificial intelligence on April 5, as it will host the much-anticipated Miami AI Agent Summit, brought to you by Miami AI Hub along with CrewAI. This half-day event is set to delve into the rapidly evolving role of autonomous AI agents, exploring their transformative influence on various industries, their capacity to streamline operations, and how they are reshaping business practices and societal functions. Notably, the Miami AI Agent Summit is part of the CrewAI Enterprise AI Agent Week, celebrating innovation in AI agents simultaneously across several global locations. The venue for this summit will be The Lab Miami.

The Miami AI Agent Summit aims to attract builders, founders, enterprise leaders, investors, and researchers with over 200 attendees expected. Conversations will revolve around the practical application of intelligent agents in real-world scenarios, including how they automate workflows, facilitate complex decision-making processes, and augment human capabilities.

The opening remarks will be delivered by João (Joe) Moura, the founder and CEO of CrewAI, recognized as a leader in enterprise AI agent orchestration, alongside Burhan Sebin, the founder of Miami AI Hub. Sebin has diligently worked to create a collaborative environment through the Miami AI Hub, uniting startups, corporate partners, and technology experts to unlock the vast potential of AI across numerous disciplines and industries. The event will kick off with a fireside chat featuring Clem Delangue, co-founder and CEO of Hugging Face—a global leader in open-source AI—and Greg Isenberg, founder and CEO of Late Checkout, who specializes in the intersection of technology and culture while building digital communities. Additional expert speakers from leading organizations, including Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, boldstartVC, and J.P. Morgan, alongside emerging AI startups, will contribute to the proceedings throughout the afternoon.

5

Major Developments: CentralReach Set to Be Acquired for $1.65 Billion

In a significant business transaction, Roper Technologies, based in Sarasota, has announced its plans to acquire CentralReach, the Fort Lauderdale-based cloud-native software platform specializing in applied behavioral analysis, from the New York private equity firm Insight Partners. The acquisition deal is valued at approximately $1.65 billion, according to a formal statement released regarding the agreement.

Once the acquisition is finalized, which is anticipated to occur in April or May, CentralReach is projected to contribute an additional $175 million in annual revenue to Roper’s existing portfolio. CentralReach delivers a comprehensive workflow and administrative software platform for applied behavior analysis therapy, particularly focused on autism and related developmental disabilities. The company first received investment from Insight Partners back in February 2018, and has since expanded significantly through an impressive series of 14 acquisitions.

6

NIST Selects FAU to Lead Quantum Encryption Project

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has officially chosen Florida Atlantic University’s Hamming Quasi-Cyclic (HQC) algorithm for standardization in its ambitious Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) initiative. Following a rigorous evaluation process, NIST recognized HQC for its superior capability in meeting the stringent criteria regarding security, efficiency, and practical application.

HQC is a sophisticated cryptographic algorithm specifically engineered to ensure secure key exchanges between parties, facilitating the sharing of common, secret keys essential for encrypting and decrypting communications. This key exchange process is integral to securing communication channels, effectively ensuring both parties can maintain their encryption keys without the risk of interception or hacking attempts. As a next-generation cryptographic solution, HQC aims to fortify sensitive digital communications against both present-day vulnerabilities and the looming threats posed by advancements in quantum computing technology. Notably, FAU is the sole U.S. university included in this pivotal project.

7

FlipaClip Creator Appointed to Developers Alliance Advisory Board

The Developers Alliance based in Washington, DC has announced that Adri Ofman, the chief operating officer of South Florida-based FlipaClip, will be joining its advisory board to help influence the Alliance’s advocacy initiatives. Topics of discussion are expected to include proposed changes affecting the app ecosystem, data privacy legislation, tax challenges, and regulations surrounding artificial intelligence. The Developers Alliance represents the interests of developers, the companies they represent, and the industries that rely on their innovations.

“I’m honored to be part of the Developers Alliance’s advisory board, and I’m eager to utilize my voice to educate key stakeholders about what app developers need to thrive and succeed,” expressed Ofman. “It’s crucial that small app developers are included in significant policy conversations. I am ready to engage proactively and advocate for a more developer-friendly app ecosystem,” she affirmed.

8

In-Demand Job Opportunities Galore

Akkodis – Product Manager
Akkodis – Supply Chain Manager
Boats Group – OEM Sales Consultant
Boats Group – Security Operations Engineer
Danti – Sr Frontend Engineer
Kaseya – DevOps Engineer
Kaseya – Sr Director of Product Management
Neocis – Manager of Software Engineering
Neocis – Staff Software Engineer
OpenStore – Customer Success Manager
Pipe – Data Scientist
Papa – VP of Product

Visit our comprehensive job board here to uncover hundreds of additional promising opportunities!

PLUS

Exciting Opportunities Await

• Endeavor Miami is currently accepting applications for its upcoming ScaleUp Program. You can apply for the ScaleUp Program here. Additionally, Endeavor Miami is also looking for participants for two upcoming 2025 EndeavorLab programs tailored for early-stage startups. Applications for the EndeavorLab Black Founders cohort are due by May 9^th, while applications for the EndeavorLab Women Founders cohort close on August 22. Apply here to seize your opportunity.
• Attention Miami founders: Are you ready to elevate your startup to the next level? Reefside Ventures is launching its Spring 2025 Incubator program, specifically designed for post-product companies in South Florida. Learn more and apply here.
• Applications for Florida Power & Light’s upcoming 35 Mules Accelerator Program were opened on February 17^th. If you are a Pre-Seed to Series A startup seeking expert mentorship, $100K in non-equity funding, and access to premier coaching and venture capital connections, find out more and apply here by April 1.
• The 776 Foundation is now accepting applications for its fourth cohort. Founded by Alexis Ohanian, the foundation is searching for 20 young individuals with visionary ideas to combat climate change, offering grants of up to $100,000 to support the development of their solutions over the next two years. Apply at 776.org.
• If you’re considering launching a new business, the LaunchLab: Making Your Business Idea a Reality workshop scheduled for April 8 from 10 am to 2 pm will provide invaluable knowledge, tools, and resources. Search for more information and register here.
• For pre-Series A startup founders keen to make a global impact, applications are now open for the TechCrunch Startup Battlefield 200. This program offers a chance to compete for a $100,000 equity-free prize. Visit the Startup Battlefield 200 page for more information and apply by June 9.

ICYMI

If you have news to share, please email Nancy Dahlberg at nancy@refreshmiami.com and follow her on X at @ndahlberg. Don’t forget to subscribe to Refresh Miami’s free weekly newsletter here, which features the latest startup news, tech job opportunities, and community events. We appreciate your support for Refresh Miami.

I am a writer and editor with extensive experience in media and a passion for community-centered journalism. My career has predominantly been spent at the Miami Herald focusing on business news, with a specialization in tech and entrepreneurial subjects. I’m thrilled to host this blog for Refresh Miami, aiming to be the go-to source for South Florida startup and tech news, features, and insights. Do you have news? Connect with me at [email protected]. Thank you for reading!

Latest posts by Nancy Dahlberg (see all)