Miami’s Tech Scene Welcomes the World at Startup Olé
In Spain, a resounding “¡Olé!” is a spontaneous expression of appreciation. It’s a sign that something truly impressive has occurred. At the recent Startup Olé conference in Miami, this exclamation became a symbol of connection, celebrating shared heritage and building crucial bridges through technology and entrepreneurship.
On Monday, more than 1,000 attendees, including 240 speakers, 30 investors, and 90 startups, came together to foster collaboration. The event underscored Miami’s position as a burgeoning hub connecting innovation hubs across the Atlantic and the Americas.
Miami: A Global Hub in the Making
LoanDepot Park, usually known for baseball, transformed into a vibrant center for international deal-making and collaboration during the tech week. Startup booths lined the concourse, and investor meetings took place overlooking the field. The agenda was packed with panels on topics such as AI, clean energy, and digital infrastructure. Delegations from Chile, Brazil, Argentina, and Spain met with Miami-based founders, investors, and city officials, seeking connections and exploring market entry possibilities.
Cristiano Franco Berbert, the Brazilian Consul in Miami, summed up the prevailing sentiment: “We see Miami as the entry door to America.”
Startups Take Center Stage
At the core of Startup Olé were the innovative startups. Miami-based Cleanlight showcased its solar-powered lighting towers, having recently launched a new manufacturing facility in Hialeah. Another standout was HappyHOA, which offers software to assist condo associations with payments, reporting, insurance, and other services. The conference featured over 90 startups from various sectors, including climate tech, fintech, healthtech, and agtech, representing a diverse group of founders from across the globe.
Institutional Support Fuels Innovation
A key moment of Startup Olé was the institutional welcome, where government representatives emphasized the role of public institutions in fostering international innovation pipelines. Speakers included Pilar Carrato, CEO of Spain’s Innvierte; Cristiano Franco Berbert, the Brazilian Consul in Miami; Argentine diplomat Marcelo Gilardoni; Miami-Dade County’s Maria Dreyfus-Ulvert; ProChile trade manager Jaime Silva; and Startup Olé founder Emilio Corchado. Maria Dreyfus-Ulvert highlighted the county’s commitment to positioning Miami as an international hub, while Silva noted ProChile’s ongoing partnership with Startup Olé.
Local Leaders Discuss Miami’s Tech Future
A panel discussion on how municipal leaders are supporting tech and innovation was also a highlight. Doral Mayor Christi Fraga discussed her city’s growth story and the active measures being taken to foster innovation, including grants for STEM students and fast-tracking permits for new businesses. Doral is also preparing for the future with electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. Miami-Dade Crypto Task Force Chairman Elijah John Bowdre focused on the county’s efforts to establish policy frameworks for emerging technologies.
Miami’s Ascent as a Global Tech Hub
Angel investor Paulo Andrez commented, “Miami is becoming the number one international tech hub, connecting the US, Latin America, Europe and Asia.” Ana Barjasic, founder of Connectology, added, “It’s great to see how Miami’s tech scene has evolved over the years. It was also a pleasure to be a speaker at Startup Olé Miami, where I had the opportunity to engage with local investors and entrepreneurs. The event attracted key stakeholders, highlighting the growing ecosystem.”
The true value of Startup Olé lies in the strong relationships being built between people, governments, companies, and ecosystems. As founder Emilio Corchado stated, “This is our American dream: bringing Startup Olé to Miami and building a community.” This community is poised for continued growth.
