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News, highlights and events throughout the Americas

InDrive Brings Its 'Bid-Based' Ride-Hail App To The US

InDrive (formerly inDriver) is bringing a new type of ride-hailing app to South Florida. The startup operates a “bid-based” platform wherein passengers can name their own fare for a ride, and nearby drivers can accept, decline or counter the offer. At a time when ride-hail customers are feeling squeezed by higher fares and drivers are classified as independent contractors but given no say over how much they charge for rides, such a business model can be attractive. InDrive officially launched in Miami, its first U.S. market, Thursday. The company says it has more than 175 million downloads and is present in 655 cities across 48 countries.

 

- TechCrunch

Coworking Firm Finds Way To Bring Barbie Craze To Brickell Office Space

Barbie has been a doctor, CEO and even President of the United States. Now, South Floridians have a chance to step into the office where the famous doll gets all of her work done. Quest Workspaces, the largest women-owned co-working firm in the country, designed a "Barbie Dream Office" in Brickell that can be rented at no cost until Aug. 31. Located at 1395 Brickell Ave., the pink and glitter-bedazzled office is opening as the much-hyped movie "Barbie" hit big screens on July 21. The coworking space features a variety of items designed to uplift occupants with Barbie-inspired cheer. That includes a glossy desk, a diamond-tufted pink swivel chair, pink accent chairs with sequin throw pillows and a vintage rotary phone. Quest Workspaces is among a variety of businesses capitalizing on the release of the "Barbie" movie. Brands such as Bloomingdales, Gap and Crocs have made deals with Mattel to sell Barbie-themed products in the lead up to the film's release.

 

-Source: South Florida Business Journal

University of Miami Research Lab Makes Strides With AI And Mobility

Zachary Ripic, a PhD graduate from the University of Miami, was drawn to kinesiology and exercise science. Ripic and Dr. Moataz Eltoukhy used the lab’s KinaTrax makerless motion capture system, which uses high-speed video cameras to record the subject’s motion, to study motion analysis for athletes and patients with Parkinson’s disease. In addition to research on motion analysis, the lab also uses artificial intelligence (AI) technology to deliver biomechanical analyses for physicians, physical therapists, and coaches that will help them analyze clinical gaits for patients with neurological disorders, and athletes’ motions for athletic performance improvement. The lab is leading the research on AI-driven markerless musculoskeletal modeling and collaborates with researchers across different departments in the university, as well as collaborators from institutions across the nation to make their research and technology a reality.  

 

-Source: Refresh Miami

Leading AI Companies Commit To Outside Testing Of AI Systems

Microsoft, Google and other leading artificial intelligence companies committed Friday to put new AI systems through outside testing before they are publicly released and to clearly label AI-generated content, the White House announced. The pledges are part of a series of voluntary commitments agreed to by the White House and seven leading AI companies – which also include Amazon, Meta, OpenAI, Anthropic and Inflection – aimed at making AI systems and products safer and more trustworthy while Congress and the White House develop more comprehensive regulations to govern the rapidly growing industry. President Joe Biden met with top executives from all seven companies at the White House. In a speech Friday, Biden called the companies commitments “real and concrete,” adding they will help fulfill their “fundamental obligations to Americans to develop safe, secure and trustworthy technologies that benefit society and uphold our values and our shared values.”

 

-Source: CNN

The Hottest New Job Is "Head Of AI" And Nobody Knows What They Do

If AI is coming for our jobs, many Americans are hoping to get out in front of it. Regular people are using AI at work, and tech workers are rebranding themselves as AI experts. And those in leadership are vying for the hottest new job title: head of AI. Outside of tech, the head of AI position was mostly nonexistent a few years ago, but now people are taking on that title — or at least its duties — at everywhere from Amazon to Visa to Coca-Cola. In the US, the number of people in AI leadership roles has grown threefold in the past five years, according to data from LinkedIn, bucking the downward trend in tech hiring overall. And while the head of AI job description varies widely by company, the hope is that those who end up with this new responsibility will do everything from incorporating AI into businesses’ products to getting employees up to speed on how to use AI in their jobs. Companies want the new role to keep them at the forefront of their industries amid AI disruption, or at least keep them from being left behind.

 

-Source: Vox

The Rise And Fall Of The Chief Diversity Officer

Two years ago chief diversity officers were some of the hottest hires into executive ranks. Now, they increasingly feel left out in the cold. Companies including Netflix, Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery have recently said that high-profile diversity, equity and inclusion executives will be leaving their jobs. Thousands of diversity-focused workers have been laid off since last year, and some companies are scaling back racial justice commitments. Diversity, equity and inclusion—or DEI—jobs were put in the crosshairs after many companies started re-examining their executive ranks during the tech sector’s shake out last fall. Some chief diversity officers say their work is facing additional scrutiny since the Supreme Court struck down affirmative action in college admissions and companies brace for potential legal challenges. DEI work has also become a political target.

 

-Source: The Wall Street Journal

These Are The Most Active Seed-Stage Startup Investors

Who's writing the most checks to startups at the earliest stages? Accelerator programs like Plug and Play Tech Center and Y Combinator, along with venture funds like Alumni Ventures, Gaingels and 10X Ventures. All of those funders have invested in at least 200 U.S. seed-stage deals since 2021, according to data provided to American Inno from venture capital data firm Pitchbook. The data shows 15 investors have placed at least 100 bets on U.S. seed-stage startups in the last two and a half years. The list give a glimpse into the most prolific seed investors, an area of startup investing that, despite the headwinds felt by the venture capital sector as a whole, has proved somewhat resilient. Even as much of the VC industry has pulled back from the highs of 2021, valuations for seed-stage startups are on the rise.

 

-Source: Miami Inno

Miami Immersion Week

July 24th - August 25th | Mana Tech

 

Be part of a select group of startups for our “Immersion Week” program. Leverage Miami's thriving startup community by maximizing connections with potential buyers and/or investors whilst acquiring US startup knowledge. You'll benefit from virtual learning, mentoring and an on-site immersion week in Miami to learn how to raise capital and sell in the US. Unlike other programs, apply your new skills in a real-world setting.

Tech Tuesdays Miami: Wifi Entrepreneurs

July 25th | Ted Lucas with Technolij

 

Come learn about how the workforce is changing, how you can upgrade your skills and find a new career pathways. Also learn how to do business with Miami-Dade County and access the counties procurement opportunities.

Brickell Tech Tuesday

July 25th | Brickell Tech

 

Brickell Tech Tuesday has grown to be a staple for the local tech community. Do you spend time in github, jira, slack, figma, google drive, etc from your home or office in Brickell? Developers, founders, investors, designers, growth hackers, product experts. Meet others in the Miami Tech community without getting in a car.

The #MiamiTech Happy Hour

July 26th | Natalia Martinez-Kalinina + Chris Adamo

 

This is a casual recurring happy hour for new and old Miamians interested in connecting with fellow entrepreneurs, investors, tech folks, and a diverse group of awesome people. Come grab a drink and catch up!

Accelerate Program at the Levan Center of Innovation

Applications Due July 28th | NSU Broward Center of Innovation

 

The Accelerate program is for startups that are on the cusp of scaling. Ideal participants have demonstrated a market fit, might have received funding, and are generating revenue. This twelve-week program is designed to help entrepreneurs increase funding, customers, revenue streams, and build further brand recognition for their startups. Teams are provided with a network to support further innovation and avoid reaching a growth plateau. The program culminates with a pitch event.

Space Accelerate Program

Applications Due August 14th | NSU Broward Center of Innovation

 

Space Accelerate is a hybrid twelve-week program to develop and increase your company's funding, customers, and revenue streams in and into the space industry. During the program, you will build upon brand recognition and engage with a network of experts and stakeholders to support further innovation, make the right connections, and avoid a growth plateau. Founders will meet Mondays, Wednesdays in-person and virtually on Fridays 4:30pm - 7:00pm with their facilitator to discuss a range of topics to support their growth. This is a FREE program.

Pitch Night: Levan Center Startup Showcase

August 16th | NSU Broward Center of Innovation

 

Join the Alan B. Levan | NSU Broward Center of Innovation for their Pitch Night featuring Levan Center entrepreneurs and their startups. This event supports the Founder’s Journey for our program/cohort participants and members. Come experience a community of innovative difference makers that are taking over South Florida. Here, we are not opening new doors, we are creating them. 

Hispanic Heritage Comedy Hour

September 19th | Brickell Tech + eMerge Americas + FriendApp

 

The annual Hispanic Heritage Comedy Hour is a celebration and recognition of the Hispanic community in greater Miami. Organized by Brickell Tech Tuesday and Brax Productions. Sponsored by eMerge Americas and FriendApp. We asked the funniest Latino and Latina comedians from South Florida's community to join us for a night of laughter, as we kickoff a special month in Miami.

South Florida Space Day

September 21st | NSU Broward Center of Innovation

 

Join us for our 2nd Annual South Florida Space Day supporting the economy of space entrepreneurship. Connect and network with entrepreneurs, industry experts, government officials, and other space enthusiasts.

Repurpose Sargassum For Beneficial Use

Applications Due September 29th | The Miami-Dade Innovation Authority

 

The Miami-Dade Innovation Authority (“MDIA”)  seeks early-to-growth stage startup companies with novel and sustainable solutions for repurposing Sargassum seaweed for beneficial use. Sargassum public innovation challenge partners include Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, The Nature Conservancy and Miami-Dade County.

100 Startup Project Scholarship

Apply Now| lan B. Levan NSU Broward Center of Innovation

 

Calling all entrepreneurs in need! Thanks to the generous support of Memorial Healthcare System, we are thrilled to offer 10 entrepreneurs the opportunity of a lifetime—a one-year membership to the Levan Center of Innovation. Don't miss this chance to access a variety of resources, mentorship, and a thriving community that will help turn your dreams into reality. Apply now and join us on this incredible journey towards success.

TEALS Volunteer Program

Recruiting Now | Microsoft Philanthropies TEALS Program  

 

TEALS is a Microsoft Philanthropies program looking for volunteer computer science professionals that wish to use their skills to inspire the coders and creators of tomorrow. Volunteering with TEALS helps to make a difference in our community and schools that stand to gain the most from computer science knowledge and expertise. Volunteers help TEALS provide high school students with equitable access to CS education and create a pathway to economic opportunity. 

Learning Engineering + Data (LEaD) Program

Rolling Applications | Millennium Management

 

Millennium is a large global alternative investment manager with a strong commitment to leveraging innovations in technology and data. As a member of our Miami based Learning Engineering and Data (LEaD) program, LEaD engineers can expect to get comprehensive training and work alongside technology mentors and leaders to develop and maintain applications and tools spanning front-office, middle-office and back-office functions in a dynamic and fast paced environment.

eMerge Americas  2222 Ponce de Leon Blvd  Miami  FL 

 

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