Not rendering correctly? View this email as a web page here.

News, highlights, and events throughout the Americas

Former A16z GP Katie Haun Raises $1.5B To Invest In Crypto Startups With First Fund

Haun Ventures, a new firm led by former Andreessen Horowitz general partner Katie Haun, has raised $1.5 billion to invest in crypto-related startups for its first fund, according to multiple reports. It’s a significant raise for a few reasons: It may be the largest fund ever raised by a solo general partner, as Axios noted, and by a woman.  Haun is no stranger to the world of crypto, though. During her career as a federal prosecutor, she created the government’s first cryptocurrency task force. She later became a board member of Coinbase and invested in companies including OpenSea and Chain. Her fund is among a growing number of new funds dedicated to investing in cryptocurrency. According to Axios, Haun raised $500 million for an early-stage fund and $1 billion for an “accelerator” fund. 

 

- Source: Crunchbase News

Have Bitcoin, Will Travel? 4 Strategies For Crypto-Vacations

Maybe you're still flush with crypto cash. Or perhaps your Bitcoin portfolio is hemorrhaging value amid the recent turbulence. Either way, if turning digital assets into rest and relaxation sounds appealing, you have options. Now that you can get debit cards linked to cryptocurrency portfolios, it’s never been easier to use digital cash while on the move. But for travelers who want to avoid the extra fees associated with using a crypto card, the alternative is to seek out merchants willing to accept cryptocurrency like Bitcoin directly. Luckily, a growing list of companies, hotels and destinations are eager to do business with crypto consumers. Here are a few up-to-the-minute moves.

 

- Source: The Wall Street Journal

Techstars Brings Accelerator For Diverse Founders To Miami

One of the tech sector's premier startup accelerators will bring its programming to South Florida. Miami will be one of the first U.S. cities to host a new Techstars accelerator for diverse founders. The remote-first program, powered by an $80 million investment from J.P. Morgan Chase, is focused on bringing more funding and support to entrepreneurs from Black, Hispanic, indigenous and other underrepresented backgrounds. Techstars Managing Director Andres Barreto will lead the Miami program. He said Techstars is recruiting startups at any stage that do business in the U.S., Canada and Latin America. "[Miami's] diversity yields an entrepreneurial talent pool not generally seen on the broader tech and venture capital ecosystem," he said. "There is a massive opportunity in funding and scaling companies led by founders from diverse backgrounds."

 

-Source: Miami Inno

Female-Founded, Miami-Based Startup Builds Sustainable Fashion Tech Platform

Walking back from a business meeting, management consultant Emilia Higashi quickly developed blisters on her feet. She figured there had to be better way to make women’s shoes – ones more comfortable and also sustainable, made from plants instead of animal or petroleum products. The Miami company she co-founded, Illogical Dreamers, is launching its first product: soft, ballet-style flats made to order. The shoe bottom is stamped with an affirmation aimed to empower women: “Crush and Repeat.” “What we’re building at Illogical Dreamers is really a sustainable fashion tech platform. We want to bring technology to an industry that is lagging behind in digital transformation to improve the supply chain and customer experience, using artificial intelligence, augmented reality and data in the entire process.” The company aims to perfect its process to make shoes to order in as little as four days.

 

- Source: Refresh Miami

Crypto.com Runs Ad During Oscars In Support Of Ukraine

Crypto.com created a television commercial to raise funds for people affected by the crisis in Ukraine. It aired multiple times during the live broadcast of the 94th Academy Awards on Sunday night. Ukraine last week clarified crypto’s legal status with a new law signed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Ukraine’s “On Virtual Assets” law came as crypto donations have continued to flow into the country following Russia’s military invasion on Feb. 24. Crypto.com CEO Kris Marszalek said in a Feb. 25 Twitter post that the company had donated $1 million to the Red Cross Red Crescent. As Russia’s attack on Ukraine has escalated, Crypto.com now seeks to raise more funds and awareness to support the organization’s work. Donations will be used to provide food, water, medicine, shelter and other essential items for people in the country. Viewers of the ad will be directed to the campaign page, where they can donate with crypto, fiat, or by buying an NFT from the campaign collection. 

 

 

- Source: Blockworks

Miami Could Be A Platform To Launch Latin American Startups

In an interview with Bloomberg Linea, Felice Gorordo, CEO of eMerge Americas, said that Miami has seen exponential growth in terms of technology and enterprise. Asked whether being in Miami makes it easier for Latin American entrepreneurs to raise capital, he said the city can provide a "launch platform" for Latin American entrepreneurs and investors looking to access North American markets, as well as entrepreneurs and investors from the US. "We [in Miami] believe we can be a launching pad for these companies to accelerate and scale much faster. In our nature, we are very welcoming. Because at our core, we are a city built by immigrants. The overwhelming majority - nearly 70% - of our residents are from elsewhere. If they are not immigrants themselves, they are children of immigrants. And for that, we are proud to welcome everyone with open arms. After two years on hold due to the pandemic, eMerge Americas will host a global tech conference on April 18-19, 2022 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

 

-Source: Bloomberg Linea

Miami NFT Week

April 1st-3rd| Tradestation Crypto

 

The most anticipated NFT conference on the planet! Come warm your bones and network with your online Frens & Web3 Communities IRL (In Real Life) and learn all about NFTs! This three-day event will pack the house with speakers from the NFT industry and bridge conversations about DeFi and Blockchain technology, workshops, panels, pitch competitions, creative installations, immersive art and performances.

Demystifying the Technical Interview

April 5th| Miami Dade College + CodePath

 

MDC and CodePath are partnering to provide invaluable insight into one of CS students’ greatest challenges in landing their dream job: the technical interview. From a panel of experts and young professionals who recently navigated the tech interview process, students will gain a deeper understanding of the technical interview. As a result of attending, students leave with tips and tricks they can apply as they navigate the job search process.

#MiamiTech Innovation Run with Mayor Suarez

April 5th| eMerge Americas + Algorand

 

Come join the Mayor of Miami, Francis Suarez, along with the City of Miami's Chief Wellness Officer, Frankie Ruiz, as they help us kick off Miami Tech Month and lead us on a 3.5 mile run throughout Brickell and Downtown Miami, which will end at Miami Dade College's Wolfson Campus (Kyriakides Plaza on NE 4th Street and NE 2nd Ave) for networking, music, food and much more. This is a community event presented by Algorand and is in partnership with the Baptist Health Brickell Run Club, Miami Dade College and Miami Tech Life. This is an opportunity to exercise, network, make connections and enjoy our beautiful city!

eMerge Americas Hackathon

April 9th| eMerge Americas + Ironhack + Blockchain.com

 

This eMerge Americas + Ironhack Hackathon is powered by Blockchain.com and supported by BankUnited, UKG and Miami Dade College. Over 100 elite developers will be tasked to deploy Web3 Tech to create an innovative and unique solution that creates significant, positive change that addresses a pressing social challenge. The winning team will be awarded $10,000 cash in prize money. In addition to the cash prize, the winners will receive a prize from Ironhack. To increase inclusivity in tech there will also be a special prize from Meta for a junior team.

#MiamiTech Park & Bay Cleanup + Family Fun

April 10th| eMerge Americas + Algorand

 

Join us as we come together as a #MiamiTech community to help keep our parks and bay clean while having fun! This event is presented by Algorand, is in partnership with eMerge Americas & Miami Tech Life and is benefiting Blue Scholars Initiative, whose mission is to educate and empower students through hands-on (and virtual) marine science education to foster a connection to the ocean and to launch long-term environmental stewardship. We will have pilates, family activities, park & bay cleanup, food, music and much more, as well as a surprise announcement by the City of Miami Mayor Francis Suarez. Bring the whole family and have fun while doing good!

Venture Miami Tech Hiring Fair

April 14th| Venture Miami + eMerge Americas + Algorand

 

The “vision” of Venture Miami is to make Miami the "capital of capital" with an innovative technological ecosystem and an economy that delivers for everyone. A key component to realizing the vision is connecting local talent to career opportunities. Please join City of Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, Miami Dade College President Madeline Pumariega, University of Miami President Julio Frenk, and Florida International University Interim President Kenneth A. Jessell for an evening of connection and community.

eMerge Americas 2022

April 18th-19th| eMerge Americas powered by Blockchain.com

 

Anchoring Miami Tech Month 2022, eMerge Americas is excited to be back in person! We're transforming Miami into a global tech hub and looking forward to having YOU join us. Hear from world-class thought leaders and industry experts including 23-time Grand Slam Champion & Entrepreneur Serena Williams, Seven Seven Six & Reddit Founder Alexis Ohanian, Investor & star of ABC's Shark Tank Kevin O'Leary, Blockchain.com Cofounder & CEO Peter Smith, and Okcoin CEO Hong Fang.

eMerge Americas  2222 Ponce de Leon Blvd  Miami  FL 

 

You received this email because you are subscribed to Newsletters from eMerge Americas

Update your email preferences to choose the types of emails you receive.

You can unsubscribe at any time.