The Miami startup scene is witnessing an impressive surge in innovation and investment as Seaworthy Collective announces the launch of its sixth cohort of startups. This initiative, focused on fostering entrepreneurs committed to ocean impact, is a part of The Ocean Enterprise Studio and Incubator, powered by The Continuum.
The initiative is supported by a partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), for which Seaworthy received a substantial $14 million grant. Startups from various locations, including West Palm Beach and Honolulu, will engage in a three-month program of full scholarships, devoid of any equity or fees.
Daniel Kleinman, the Founder & CEO of Seaworthy Collective, expressed excitement about this cohort: “We’re excited for startups to tap into value across each of our partners, and to demonstrate what’s possible for our community’s future with unprecedented access to multiple networks and ecosystems all in one program.”
He also noted a significant milestone, stating that since its inception, Seaworthy has supported 100 founders across 50 startups and 6 cohorts, helping them raise over $25 million.
Among the seven startups selected for this cohort, Coral Collective from Waianae, HI, stands out with its AI-powered platform for community-driven coral reef monitoring. DOLGO from Tampa, FL, aims to transform field-based troubleshooting expertise into institutional knowledge for improved operations.
Endur from West Palm Beach is focused on streamlining the marine permitting process via its ocean intelligence platform, enabling faster approvals through real-time data and predictive analytics. Kelp Cover in Honolulu is pioneering an AI finance platform tailored for ocean farmers, beginning with affordable insurance solutions.
SkyWind Solutions, located in Boca Raton, is working on AI-powered forecasts for coastal water levels, with additional developments aimed at predicting red tide conditions. Vital Ocean from Portland, OR, plans to leverage AI and emerging technologies to enhance ocean recovery and resilience. A co-created startup will also be unveiled at Seaworthy’s upcoming demo day on October 25.
In another development in Miami, Flow, led by Adam Neumann, the founder of WeWork, announced a strategic acquisition of a mixed-use development project on the Miami River within the Brickell district. The project, now renamed Flow on the River, will feature over 1,900 new residential units and waterfront retail space upon its completion.
Flow is now the managing member of a joint venture that includes Canada Global and holds majority ownership alongside the existing owner, with a total capitalization of $525 million. Neumann expressed enthusiasm about the future of living, stating, “With Flow on the River, we continue to deliver on our mission one community at a time.”
The first phase of this project will consist of a 54-story tower, offering 632 apartments and 39,000 square feet of commercial space along with significant parking and boat slip facilities. Flow has also been active, operating over 1,000 rental units across multiple locations and is planning a new condominium project, Flow House Miami, as well as an ambitious three-tower initiative in Aventura.
First Due, another Miami-based startup, has secured $355 million in a private equity investment led by JMI Equity, with contributions from TCV and Serent Capital. Since its founding in 2016, the company has established itself as a vital player in the public safety sector, providing an all-in-one software platform to over 3,000 agencies in the U.S.
Co-founder and CEO Andreas Huber emphasized the impact of this funding, stating, “This new investment strengthens our mission to be the best possible software partner for public safety.”
With this influx of capital, First Due aims to accelerate its platform development and enhance customer support, positioning itself for rapid growth in AI-driven public safety technology, ultimately improving decision-making and operational readiness for emergency services.
In the health sector, eMerge Americas is expanding its eMerge HEALTH vertical through a partnership with HealthIMPACT Live. Megan Antonelli, the founder and CEO of HealthIMPACT Live, will join eMerge as the director of eMerge HEALTH, signifying a significant expansion of this platform-focused on leveraging emerging technologies for health care leaders.
CEO Melissa Medina announced this strategic collaboration highlighting the importance of cross-sector partnerships, stating, “Together with HealthIMPACT Live, we are building the definitive health innovation platform that doesn’t just inspire ideas, but catalyzes real-world impact.”
The enhanced eMerge HEALTH collaboration aims to unite various stakeholders across healthcare, aiming to drive efficiency, improve patient outcomes, and foster innovation within Florida’s burgeoning tech landscape. In line with this commitment to health innovation, Antonelli reinforced the positive trajectory of Florida in healthcare: “Florida is where health care breakthroughs are happening at scale.”
In an exciting new investment, New World Angels has announced backing for Fort Lauderdale-based startup EpiPaws, which specializes in epigenetic testing to help pet owners and veterinarians better understand pets’ age, wellness, and longevity.
Although the specifics of the investment amount were not disclosed, the funds will assist EpiPaws in accelerating research and expanding its reach across the pet health market. Ron Tarro, President of New World Angels, praised the vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem in Florida, noting the broad-based support for EpiPaws and its founder, Andria.
Further solidifying Miami’s reputation as a hub for innovation, Mana Tech has launched its Climate Tech Scale-Up Program aimed at international growth-stage climatetech ventures. This initiative will select 10 startups and will run in November and early December, facilitating their entry into the U.S. market.
Etienne Gillard, Head of Ventures at Mana Tech, emphasized the program’s purpose: “Miami’s urgency around climate challenges has created unmatched momentum — not just for visibility, but for real action.” He expressed hope that this endeavor would ease the transition for startups seeking to make their mark in the U.S.
Also in the autonomous vehicle sector, Guident has announced it will launch a fully autonomous shuttle service in Boca Raton. This service will operate on a 2.6-mile loop connecting key locations in the city, starting with a smaller initial route.
The MiCa shuttle, developed in collaboration with Estonia’s Auve Tech, has already been deployed in multiple countries, showcasing its ability to navigate complex urban environments without human intervention. Harald Braun, Chairman and CEO of Guident, noted, “Launching the MiCa transportation project in Boca Raton represents a significant step toward making autonomous public transportation a reality.”
Meanwhile, Junior Achievement of Greater Miami is expanding its JA Entrepreneurial Mindset curriculum, which enhances high school entrepreneurship classes to include hands-on programming. This initiative will provide students aspiring to be future founders with crucial training and mentorship.
JA Miami is currently recruiting volunteer mentors with entrepreneurial experience, aiming to connect them with students eager to learn the ropes of building a business. The program culminates in the optional JA Company Program, where students will create a functional business over the course of a year.
The current cohort of JA Company Program students in Miami has already garnered national recognition, winning awards at the JA USA Future Bound Summit.
In employment news, a slew of job opportunities is available across various companies in Miami, including positions such as Associate Product Manager at Betr, Senior Software Engineer at Boats Group, and Software Engineer at Chewy, among others.
Additionally, Mindspace, a coworking company, is offering complimentary office space at its Miami location every Wednesday until August 27. The Alan B. Levan NSU Broward Center of Innovation is also accepting applications for its 100 Startup Project Scholarship program, providing a one-year membership to ten chosen startups.
Moreover, the Miami-Dade Innovation Authority is set to award $100,000 each to startups proposing tech solutions to enhance the county’s public housing system. Currently, there is an ongoing initiative to offer funding of up to $300,000 to MVP-stage founders through a new program by Scale2Miami and Mana Tech, with applications closing soon.
The Veterans Florida Entrepreneurship Program’s Facilitated Growth Cohort at Florida International University continues to provide training for aspiring entrepreneurs, focusing on solidifying viable business models through mentorship.
In related news, the latest funding updates revealed that social casino startup MyPrize achieved a remarkable $1.2 billion run rate in its first year, raising $21 million at a $250 million valuation.
Stephen Ross, eMerge Americas, and the Florida Council of 100 have announced a Gold Coast Tech Accelerator, while preparations continue for a leadership summit featuring prominent figures, including Messi and Will Smith, in Miami this November.
The pace of innovation and development in Miami signifies a dynamic environment for startups and established companies, propelling the city into the forefront of the tech landscape.
image source from：refreshmiami
