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Celebrating A Decade Shaping The Future Of Tech

JPMorgan Chase Commits $500,000 To Miami Organization To Support Diverse Entrepreneurs

Endeavor Miami received a $500,000 funding commitment from JPMorgan Chase to support programming for underrepresented entrepreneurs in South Florida.

The two-year investment will fund scholarships for founders participating in EndeavorLAB, a cohort-based program that offers training and mentorship to Black, Hispanic and women founders. It is part of the bank's $10 million donation to Tech Equity Miami, a consortium directing millions in philanthropic funding to organizations that connects locals and people of color with careers in the technology industry.

 

-Source: Miami Inno

With $65M, Paysend Doubles Down On The US-LatAm Remittance Corridor

About $150 billion flows between the US and Latin America each year in the form of remittances – a figure that the World Bank expects to continue growing. Meanwhile, smartphone penetration in Latin America is already at around 80%, with analysts predicting a rise to 93% by 2030. This situation is a perfect storm for Paysend, a UK fintech that has its headquarters for the Americas in Brickell. In a context where Miami is increasingly a hub for cross-border payment providers, Paysend stands out for its rapid growth. The company’s digital platform has already enabled upwards of 8 million users to simply, quickly, and inexpensively transfer money abroad. The service is particularly popular with immigrants to the US and Europe who regularly send remittances back to family in their home country.

 

-Source: Refresh Miami

Medical Company Partners With FAU For New Cognitive Brain Health Center

Thema Brain Health is establishing a cognitive brain health center on the campus of the Research Park at Florida Atlantic University to offer treatment and preventative care for ailments like Alzheimer's disease. Developed in partnership with the Research Park and FAU's Schmidt College of Medicine, the health care center will serve community members and help train medical students and resident physicians at the university. The goal is to help patients identify risk factors and symptoms of cognitive impairment-related diseases and treat those symptoms as soon as possible. Long-term, Thema aims to prevent the development of Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. 

 

-Source: South Florida Business Journal

Volkswagen To Put ChatGPT In Its Cars For ‘Enriching Conversations’

Volkswagen is jumping on the generative AI bandwagon by announcing plans to install OpenAI’s ChatGPT into its vehicles starting in the second quarter of 2024. The chatbot will be available across VW’s lineup, including in Tiguan, Passat, and Golf as well as the automaker’s ID family of electric vehicles. The feature will come to Europe first and is being considered for customers in the US, though plans have yet to be finalized. VW is using ChatGPT to augment its IDA in-car voice assistant to enable more naturalistic communication between car and driver. Vehicle owners can use the new super-powered voice assistant to control basic functions, like heating and air conditioning, or to answer “general knowledge questions.” (Though, given ChatGPT’s penchant for occasionally making stuff up, user discretion is advised.)

 

 

-Source: The Verge

MLS Continues To Build With Startup Businesses Through Innovation Lab

As Major League Soccer began its landmark 10-year, $2.5 billion global streaming rights deal with Apple, it quietly launched a startup program where roughly 500 companies submitted proposals to vie for league investment. The MLS Innovation Lab, which the league formally introduced last Thursday, whittled down the list to six startups who will demonstrate their products in front of league and team executives at three key events. Three of those companies will advance to MLS All-Star in Columbus this July, where they’ll present to the MLS Board of Governors. From being the first major US pro league to utilize a bubble for matches during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the first soccer league to install VAR, the first in-season tournament between two leagues in the Leagues Cup, and the Apple TV deal, MLS prides itself on its innovative ideas and experimentation.

 

-Source: Boardroom

University Enrolling AI-Powered "Students"

Students at Ferris State University in Michigan will soon be sharing the classroom with AI-powered freshman "students" who will enroll in classes alongside them, MLive reports. And no, they won't have humanoid robot bodies — they'll be interacting with students via computers, microphones, and speakers. 

In an experiment led by associate professor Kasey Thompson, AI students dubbed Ann and Fry will be listening — or scanning through? — lectures, work on assignments, and even actively participate in discussions with other students, per the report. As to why the experiment, which was announced during the university's AI Day last month, is taking place? The institution wants to explore the "transformational impact of emerging artificial intelligence technology, connecting high school students with potential educational and career pathways in evolving and increasingly important fields," per a statement.

 

-Source: The Byte

AI Has a Trust Problem. Can Blockchain Help?

McCain Foods, known in the frozen aisle for its onion rings and sweet potato fries, wants to continue to be known for these products in the next 10 years. But with changing weather patterns, increased heat waves, and other conditions driven by climate change, sweet potato fields and onion crops have become less predictable. That’s when ClimateAi stepped in. The AI-driven SaaS product uses climate risk modeling to provide short- and long-term insights into weather and climate impact for food and beverage companies, helping businesses identify the actions needed today to adapt to climate change disruptions. For McCain, ClimateAi assessed risks for its crops in various geographic regions of focus and provided McCain with detailed recommendations on how it should adapt its practices to maintain yields and value at a microclimate level. That included potential financial impact as well. 

 

-Source: The Wall Street Journal 

Startup Accelerator + Showcase Applications Are Open

Deadline January 31st | eMerge Americas

 

This is your opportunity to win $520,000 USD in investment into your company! The 2024 eMerge Americas Accelerator + Showcase is joining forces with Florida Funders, Medina Ventures, and BIP Ventures. We will select 110 of the best startups globally through a competitive application process segmented into three stages (i.e. University Stage, Early Stage and Later Stage). These 110 startups will participate in a robust seven-week, virtual, acceleration program, which will culminate at an in-person, grand finale pitch competition.

Women In Miami Tech Happy Hour

January 18th | Women In Miami Tech

 

Let's kick off the new year with a special Women in Miami Tech Happy Hour! Enjoy complimentary cocktails and sushi! Connect with fellow founders, tech professionals and investors, all with the goal of supporting and advancing each other! Atmosphere is friendly and casual. Come as you are, bring friends or come alone, stay as little or as long as you like! 

Airport Experience Public Challenge

Deadline January 19th | Miami-Dade Innovation Authority

 

As part of our second Public Innovation Challenge, in partnership with Miami-Dade County and Miami International Airport (MIA), we are seeking proposals from local and global tech companies that offer new and creative solutions to improve the airport experience for both passengers and staff. Apply today for an opportunity to receive up to $100k in funding.

hello&demo - Black History & Culture Trivia

January 23rd | Confetti

 

Every month we host a free demo of one of our seasonal experiences so you can get a taste of what an event with Confetti is like! Sessions include an introduction, a demo of an experience and a live Q&A with our Account Managers to ask any event or booking questions on the spot. Our next hello&demo will be on Tuesday, January 23rd at 12:00 PM ET and will be demoing Black History & Culture Trivia ahead of Black History Month in February!

Wellness, Technology, and the Workplace

January 23rd | OpenSeed + Mindspace

 

Join us for an exciting event exploring the intersection of wellness, technology, and the workplace. Discover how advancements in technology are transforming the way we approach health and well-being in the professional setting. Date: January 23rd, 2024. Time: 7-9 pm EST. Location: Mindspace Downtown Miami, 100 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, FL 33132, USA. 

60 Million Congress

February 1st-3rd | Global Polonia Summit

 

Join the Global Polonia Summit for business meetings, startup presentations, networking and more at the next edition of the 60 Million Congress, which will be held in Miami on February 1-3, 2024 at the James L. Knight Center. Speakers include Polaron Director Eva Hussain, CEO and Co-Founder of Booksy Stefan Batory and eMerge Americas CEO and President Melissa Medina.

Legal Tech Challenge: Miami

February 2nd | Technology Entrepreneurship Club + HNBA

 

The Legal Tech Challenge, hosted at Greenberg Traurig Miami by FSU Law’s Technology Entrepreneurship Club, is open to Florida law and graduate students. Teams will form to identify a legal issue and develop a tech-based solution, then present their concepts. This event, promoting innovation and collaboration, culminates in a cash prize for the winning team. For more information, registration details, and to attend as a spectator, visit the official website.

The 14th Concordia Annual Summit

September 23-25 | Concordia

 

Navigating this new era requires unique perspectives, public-private sector collaboration, and the creation of market-led solutions. Above all, it requires coming together to facilitate human-to-human interaction. Against this backdrop, Concordia presents Navigating a New Era, its theme for its 14th Annual Summit, providing the preeminent forum for the private sector and equipping the Concordia community with the network and platform to understand the unique challenges and opportunities presented by today’s global environment – along with the tools and partnerships to build for tomorrow.

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. 

eMerge Americas  2222 Ponce de Leon Blvd  Miami  FL 

 

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