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8+ things to know in #MiamiTech: News from UM, HTwenty, Drone Racing League, ShiftPixy, Rehab Boost, Levan Center, Cointelegraph, WAGMI & more

Nancy Dahlberg
Nancy Dahlberg
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1

UM makes $30M investment in computational biology

The University of Miami will invest $30 million to enhance research and innovation in basic science, with a focus on the areas of neuroscience and aging.

The investment over the next five years will create a new program in computational biology within the Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine and build collaborations across multiple University departments and institutes, including the Department of Psychology, the Frost Institute for Chemistry and Molecular Science, and the Frost Institute for Data Science and Computing. 

Joe Echevarria, University of Miami CEO and acting president, views the University’s investment in basic science research as an example of mission fulfillment for the University, which resulted from teamwork across its schools and colleges initiated this summer. 

“Our focus is on delivering world-class education, research, and patient care,” said Echevarria. “This investment, which is essential to progress on all three of those fronts, will ultimately benefit the population we serve—patients, students, and the wider community.” Read more in University of Miami News.

2

Miami’s HTwenty Capital makes LatAm investment

Miami-based venture capital fund HTwenty Capital Innovation has announced its latest investment: The fund participated in a $4.3 million seed round in Colombia-based fintech Akua. The round was  led by Propel and also supported by Plug and Play, RallyCap, Flourish Ventures, and ICventures. 

This funding will enable Akua to expand its operations into Mexico, Peru, Chile, and Brazil. The startup has already struck partnerships with both Mastercard and Visa. 

Akua is a payment processing platform that enables businesses to accept payments efficiently and securely. Most transactions in Latin America still rely on three-decades-old technology, contributing to slow processing times and high fraud rates. Estimates indicate that the region loses about 20% of total e-commerce revenue to fraud. The founding team — including Carlos Marín (CEO), Juan José Behrend (CTO), and Rodrigo Rodrigues (COO) — has over 45 years of combined experience in the fintech sector, having previously held key roles at companies like Pomelo, PayU, and Mastercard.

“Financial regulation in Latin America is undergoing significant changes that will allow Akua to be a competitive player in the market,” said Renzo Sesana, Principal at HTwenty Capital Innovation. “As regulators continue to promote transparency in financial operations, this will increase user confidence in digital platforms, a fundamental aspect for Akua’s success.”

3

Drone Racing League plans Miami event with US Air Force

The Miami-based  Drone Racing League, a professional drone racing property, has expanded its partnership with the United States Air Force, its longest standing partner. The two announced they are joining forces again to engineer the DRL U.S. Air Force Miami Invitational, debuting in 2025. This future-forward collaboration seeks to find the next generation of technical talent and STEM prodigies through the electrifying fusion of sports entertainment and immersive technology.

The DRL U.S. Air Force Miami Invitational will take place on Saturday, February 1, 2025 at 7 PM ET, at loanDepot park, home of MLB’s Miami Marlins. This race marks DRL’s first major event since the League’s acquisition by Infinite Reality (iR), the innovation company driving the next generation of digital media and e-commerce through artificial intelligence, spatial computing, extended reality, and other immersive technologies. That evening, the ballpark will be transformed into a real-life video game, where the world’s best drone pilots race high-speed drones through a spectacular aerial course.

For the first time ever, the U.S. Air Force will present a DRL Championship event, connecting millions of young tech fans and prospective recruits with the vast opportunities the Air Force offers as an ultimate launchpad for STEM careers. Legendary two-time DRL World Champion and broadcast commentator Evan “Headsup” Turner is set to take the controls as the returning U.S. Air Force Team Pilot.

Twelve pilots, including Headsup, will fly from the U.S. Air Force Flight Deck through bespoke course elements in front of 10,000 spectators. Fans will be treated live to heart-pounding action featuring lightning-fast drones zipping through hairpin turns, corkscrewing through vertical climbs, and diving into stomach-churning descents at speeds exceeding 90 mph. Spectators will be on the edge of their seats as these aerial acrobats navigate a three-dimensional maze of light, pushing the limits of both machine and human reflexes in a breathtaking display of skill and technology.

4

ShiftPixy to acquire AI company  TurboScale

ShiftPixy, a publicly traded Miami-based national staffing enterprise which designs, manages, and sells access to a platform that facilitates employment in the rapidly growing Gig Economy, announced that it has entered into a non-binding Letter of Intent to acquire TurboScale, a cutting-edge AI technology company specializing in scalable GPU cloud infrastructure and AI model deployment, for a purchase price of $150 million.

 The deal, structured as $75 million in stock and $75 million in debt, underscores ShiftPixy’s commitment to accelerating innovation through artificial intelligence and enhancing its platform capabilities with TurboScale’s advanced AI solutions. The completion of the acquisition is subject to the negotiation of definitive agreements and other customary closing conditions, including board and shareholder approval and completion of an examination period.

5

Medbridge acquires Miami-based Rehab Boost


Medbridge, a Seattle-based leader in healthcare technology solutions, announced its acquisition of Miami-based Rehab Boost, a pioneering motion capture and movement-based artificial intelligence (AI) company. The acquisition will relaunch Rehab Boost as Medbridge Motion Capture, a key component of Medbridge AI, providing Medbridge with in-house motion capture and AI capabilities and underscoring the company’s ongoing commitment to improving access to the highest quality of care by incorporating leading-edge technology. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

Medbridge’s acquisition of Rehab Boost signals a strategic investment in AI-powered solutions, which are central to improving the precision and personalization of care. The launch of Medbridge Motion Capture and Medbridge AI will enable healthcare providers to leverage motion capture technology in new ways, from early-stage prevention to rehabilitation, helping clinicians to better tailor care for each patient.

In addition to the technology, Medbridge has brought on key talent from Rehab Boost to lead this new initiative. Paul Jaure, founder of Rehab Boost, will take on the role of Head of AI at Medbridge, where he will continue driving innovation in AI-powered care. Garth Savidge has joined Medbridge as Director of Commercial Operations, partnering with customers to lead clinical workflow and process design for Pathways. In addition to his leadership at Rehab Boost, Garth is also a practicing PT at Mass General, bringing unique and valuable skills to accelerate the successful adoption of the new Medbridge solutions and expanding Medbridge’s wealth of in-house clinical expertise.

6

Levan Center accepting applications for Cybersecurity Training for veterans

The Alan B. Levan | NSU Broward Center of Innovation, in affiliation with Maverc Technologies, is now accepting applications for specialized Cybersecurity Training Programs designed exclusively for veterans. These programs aim to enhance the cybersecurity skills for veterans, equipping them with in-demand expertise required in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape.

The cybersecurity training will be provided at no cost to veterans. The Cybersecurity Training Program includes two distinct training tracks: Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) and Security Operations Center (SOC) 101.

Participants will learn from industry experts, gaining both technical skills and real-world experience in one of the Southeast’s premier Cyber Ranges – The Levan Center’s military-grade Cyber Range—the only one of its kind in the Southeast United States. Veterans will also receive mentorship, career guidance, and job placement support to help them transition into cybersecurity roles.

The first session of the program runs from November 4 to December 20, 2024, with a second session scheduled for January 13 to February 17, 2025. The program offers both virtual and hybrid training options to accommodate Veterans from across the country. Training sessions will run 20 hours per week, with live and virtual events scheduled from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET. Applications are open until October 26, 2024, at 8:00 p.m. ET. Veterans interested in applying can submit their applications through the program’s website: https://wkf.ms/3Ng88uh.

7

New blockchain and web3 conference coming in January

Cryptocurrency and blockchain media outlet Cointelegraph and WAGMI, an organization founded by the creators of The North American Bitcoin Conference, are partnering to host a new blockchain and web3 conference that it says will attract up to 10,000 attendees. The four-day WAGMI Miami conference will take place January 21-24, 2024, at the James L. Knight Center in Miami, the South Florida Business Journal reported..

“Partnering with Cointelegraph is a game-changer for WAGMI and the entire blockchain world,” said Moe Levin, founder of the of The North American Bitcoin conference, which has been organizing industry events for 11 years. “We’re taking this event to new dimensions of scale and excitement.”

Speakers that will appear at the WAGMI Miami conference include Blockchain.com CEO Peter Smith, Etoro CEO Yoni Assia and Miami Mayor Francis Suarez. General admission tickets cost $750 per person. Read more here.

8 – PLUS

Opportunity knocks

  • Founders, apply to join the eMerge Global Startup Accelerator + Showcase, an opportunity to take your company to the next level. eMerge Americas offers startups the opportunity to debut and share their transformative ideas by providing access to resources, investors, curated bootcamps, mentors, and networking opportunities with global enterprises. Learn more and apply here by Dec. 31.
  • The SMB Growth Lab, presented by eMerge Americas and powered by JP Morgan Chase, is an opportunity for SMBs located in Miami Dade County to gain access to cutting-edge digital tools, comprehensive training, and exclusive connections with key players in the tech ecosystem—all designed to propel your business to new heights. 50 SMBs will be selected for the cohort. Learn more and apply here by Dec. 31.
  • If you’re a job seeker, an industry expert, or higher education professional, the Tech Talent Fest on Nov. 18 at FIU will offer interactive workshops, panel discussions, and presentations focused on tech recruitment, workforce development, and job placement. The Tech Talent Fest will be presented by South Florida Tech Hub and Miami Tech Works. It’s free for job seekers. Find more information and register here.
  • The Florida Venture Forum is now accepting presenter applications for the  2025 Florida Venture Capital Conference  March 3-5, 2025 at the Loews Coral Gables.  Apply here.
  • Endeavor Miami  is accepting applications for its next ScaleUp Program. Apply for ScaleUp here.
  • The Miami Downtown Development Authority is offering $1.1 million in incentives to attract businesses seeking to move to or expand their operations to Downtown Miami’s Central Business District, Arts & Entertainment District or Brickell. The program offers grants up to $25,000 per business for startups, and is flexible to allow businesses to either operate out of a co-working space or lease their own dedicated office space. Grants up to $50,000 are available for mid-size businesses and ground floor retail operators moving into downtown. Learn more here.
  • As part of its 100 Startup Project Scholarship Program, The Levan Center of Innovation is offering 10 entrepreneurs a one-year membership to the Levan Center of Innovation, thanks to the support of Memorial Healthcare System. Apply here.

ICYMI

Have news to report? Email Nancy Dahlberg at nancy@staging.refreshmiami.com and follow her on X @ndahlberg. Subscribe to Refresh Miami’s free weekly newsletter here featuring startup news, tech job opportunities and events. Thank you for supporting Refresh Miami.

Nancy Dahlberg
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