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The South Florida Venture Tech Chronicle Blog goes beyond the headlines.
Here, founders, investors, and industry experts share their perspectives on emerging technologies, investment strategies, and the challenges shaping our innovation ecosystem.
Expect thought leadership, data-driven opinions, and long-form features that deepen understanding of where tech is headed next.
Tri-Rail’s New Funding Strategy Could Reshape Transportation and Development Across South Florida
Tri-Rail’s proposed new funding strategy could do more than secure the rail system’s financial future. By unlocking development opportunities around stations across its 70-mile South Florida corridor, the plan could create new hubs for housing, business and investment while generating sustainable revenue for regional transit.
Golden Dome Wants Startups, Tech Companies and Investors. Is South Florida ready?
Golden Dome for America could open a new federal market for South Florida’s growing tech ecosystem, creating opportunities for startups, defense-tech companies, investors, universities and researchers developing technologies with potential national security applications.
AutoNation Turns to Starlink to Strengthen Connectivity Across Its Nationwide Dealership Network
Fort Lauderdale-based AutoNation has deployed Starlink connectivity across more than 70 dealerships nationwide. The satellite technology provides an additional layer of network resiliency for locations where traditional backup broadband is limited or unavailable. The deployment builds on AutoNation’s broader network modernization strategy using SD-WAN and cloud connectivity. The company is also evaluating additional Starlink applications for disaster recovery and future locations.
Miami-Based Healthtech Startup Eyecheq Strategically Partners with iCare for Advanced Eye Screening
Miami-based healthtech startup Eyecheq has partnered with iCare to expand access to automated eye screening and advanced diagnostic technology. The partnership combines Eyecheq’s self-service screening kiosks with iCare’s retinal imaging solutions to support earlier detection of eye conditions. The collaboration strengthens Eyecheq’s reach across healthcare and retail settings. It also highlights South Florida’s growing role as a healthtech and innovation hub.
Boca Raton’s ModMed Takes Aim at Healthcare’s ‘RCM Tax’ With New Agentic AI Platform
Boca Raton-based ModMed is taking aim at one of healthcare’s biggest administrative burdens with a new agentic AI platform designed to reduce denials, automate revenue cycle workflows and help specialty medical practices get paid faster.
Kaufman Rossin Expands Private Equity Focus With Launch of KR PE
Kaufman Rossin has launched KR PE, a dedicated private equity practice combining transaction advisory, tax, accounting, fund services and operational support. The Miami-based firm is positioning the new practice to serve lower-middle-market and middle-market investors and portfolio companies.
South Florida's Cybersecurity Leaders Shine as TIME Launches Inaugural CISO of the Year Awards
The role of the Chief Information Security Officer has evolved far beyond protecting networks. With the launch of the inaugural TIME + Commvault CISO of the Year Award, cybersecurity leadership is being recognized alongside the world's most influential business executives. Among the 20 global finalists are two South Florida leaders—Patrick Doliny and Eduardo Ortiz-Romeu, whose careers exemplify the innovation, resilience, and leadership shaping the future of cybersecurity. Their recognition highlights South Florida's growing reputation as a hub for world-class cybersecurity talent and executive leadership.
How FAU's Hacking for Defense Program Signals South Florida's Growing Role in National Innovation
Florida Atlantic University's successful launch of its first Hacking for Defense program is more than an academic milestone. By connecting students with real-world Department of Defense challenges, FAU is helping position South Florida as a growing hub for artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, quantum computing, and defense innovation.
AT&T's Quantum Leap Is Reshaping Telecommunications and Why South Florida Is at the Center of It
Artificial intelligence has transformed how businesses operate, but the next leap in enterprise technology may come from combining AI with quantum computing. AT&T's expanded partnership with D-Wave showcases how agentic AI and quantum optimization are improving network operations today—while positioning Boca Raton and South Florida as emerging leaders in the commercialization of quantum technology. As D-Wave establishes its headquarters in Boca Raton and Florida Atlantic University invests in one of the nation's most advanced university quantum programs, the region is becoming a hub where groundbreaking research, Fortune 500 innovation, and next-generation workforce development are converging.
Carrier's Acquisition of 75F Signals the Next Era of Autonomous Buildings
Carrier's acquisition of AI-powered building automation company 75F marks a pivotal shift in the evolution of intelligent buildings. By combining cloud-native software, wireless controls, predictive analytics, and agentic AI, Carrier is positioning itself to lead the next generation of autonomous building technology. With the company's global headquarters in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, the acquisition also underscores the state's growing influence in commercial real estate innovation, climate technology, and AI-driven infrastructure.
Kind Designs Isn't Raising Capital to Prove Its Technology. Mark Cuban Invests Again as It Scales To Meet Demand.
Kind Designs has reached a pivotal milestone. After attracting nearly $20 million in investor interest, the Miami-based climate tech company doubled its fundraising target, closing a $10 million Pre-Series A round. With Mark Cuban investing again, a TIME Best Invention award, growing government adoption, and a $175 million pipeline, Kind Designs is shifting from proving its technology to scaling the future of coastal infrastructure.
Connected Living: How CITY HOME Is Redefining the Home Experience
Smart homes aren't just about connected devices—they're about creating better living experiences. As consumer expectations evolve, CITY HOME is redefining home retail by combining technology, products, installation, and service into one seamless experience. CEO Andrew Koenig shares how the company's new Smart Home category reflects a customer-first philosophy focused on helping people live healthier, safer, more connected, and more efficient lives.
Knollgate Is Betting the Future of Consumer Growth Doesn't Require Giving Away More Equity
Knollgate has launched in West Palm Beach with a mission to help founder-led consumer brands scale without sacrificing additional equity. Led by private markets veteran Greg Greifeld, the firm combines flexible, non-dilutive financing with strategic operational guidance, reflecting a growing shift in how founders are funding expansion.
Could Autonomous Transit Transform West Palm Beach? Glydways Proposes Airport-to-Downtown Connector
A proposal from Glydways could transform transportation in Palm Beach County by connecting President Donald J. Trump International Airport with downtown West Palm Beach using an autonomous, on-demand elevated transit system. While county commissioners expressed interest in the concept, they paused the proposal to seek additional financial and operational details before moving forward.
AMPERA Unveils 3D-Printed Nuclear Reactor Module, Marking a Major Manufacturing Milestone
Palm Beach Gardens-based AMPERA has unveiled what it describes as the world's first full-scale, fully 3D-printed nuclear reactor module. While the reactor is not yet operational, the milestone showcases how advanced manufacturing and modular reactor design could help accelerate the future of clean, reliable nuclear energy.
Hallmark Venture Group Transforms into Drone Technology Company, Establishing New Chapter In Palm Beach County
Hallmark Venture Group has completed a strategic transformation into an operating drone technology company, acquiring worldwide commercialization rights to an advanced unmanned aerial systems portfolio from South Korea-based Sundori Drone Co., Ltd. With its principal executive offices now located in North Palm Beach, the company is positioning itself to pursue opportunities across defense, government, public safety, and commercial markets while adding another emerging technology player to South Florida's growing innovation ecosystem.
Papa Highlights a New Era: Dementia Care Is Moving Beyond the Doctor's Office and Into the Home
Papa's new partnerships with Tembo Health and AVVACare highlight a broader transformation in healthcare. As the CMS GUIDE Model expands, dementia care is moving beyond the doctor's office to deliver coordinated, home-based support that improves outcomes for both patients and the family caregivers who care for them.
More Than Just A Rebrand: Why CITY Furniture Became CITY HOME
CITY Furniture has officially become CITY HOME, marking far more than a rebrand. The South Florida retailer is expanding beyond furniture into appliances, kitchens, Smart Home technology, design, installation, and connected-home services as it redefines the home shopping experience. Here's why the transformation reflects changing consumer expectations and what it means for the future of home retail in Florida.
Beyond the Game: How South Florida Is Becoming the Capital of Sports Investment
Sports is no longer just about the game—it's becoming one of the world's fastest-growing alternative asset classes. At the Elite Family Office Sports Summit in Boca Raton, investors, family offices, athletes, and sports executives explored how franchise ownership, technology, real estate, and private capital are reshaping the future of sports and positioning South Florida as a rising hub for sports investment.
Florida Council of 100: South Florida’s Approach to Business Attraction Is Different From NYC and Austin
South Florida is rewriting the traditional playbook for economic development. While cities like New York rely on institutional infrastructure and Austin benefits from organic tech momentum, the region is developing a different model — one built around executive influence, private-sector alignment, and strategic market positioning. At the center of this evolution is the Florida Council of 100 and a growing ecosystem of business leaders shaping how companies view the Gold Coast as a destination for capital, innovation, and growth.