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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.
Palm Beach County Roots, Miami Momentum: The Founder Behind Terminal's Acquisition of Stationed AI
From studying entrepreneurship in Boca Raton to founding Miami-based Stationed AI, Ja’dan Johnson's journey has reached a major milestone with the company's acquisition by Terminal. The deal launches a new AI division and brings plans for expanded engineering operations in South Florida.
South Florida Startup TrustDots Wants to Build the Trust Layer for AI-Powered Commerce
Can artificial intelligence help consumers make smarter, more trustworthy purchasing decisions? South Florida startup TrustDots, co-founded by Darie Dorlus and Kyle Speidell, is taking on that challenge with an AI-powered platform designed to evaluate products, brands and businesses through personalized Trust Scores. With an ambitious vision to become the trust intelligence layer for the next generation of AI-powered commerce, TrustDots is looking beyond product reviews to reshape how consumers, and eventually autonomous AI shopping agents, make purchasing decisions.
Boca Raton's INmune Bio Partners with Quantum Computing Inc. to Advance Alzheimer's Drug Research
Boca Raton-based INmune Bio is partnering with Quantum Computing Inc. to explore how quantum optimization and artificial intelligence could unlock new opportunities in Alzheimer's drug research, advancing the intersection of biotechnology, emerging technology, and South Florida innovation.
FAU Leads $5.7 Million Initiative to Improve Literacy and Prepare South Florida Educators for AI
Florida Atlantic University is leading a $5.7 million initiative to improve literacy in Broward County schools while preparing educators to use artificial intelligence responsibly. Through LEAP-AI, FAU and its partners aim to strengthen teacher training, expand career pathways, and build South Florida's future workforce.
SoftBank Didn’t Just Buy Boca Raton-Based DigitalBridge. It Bought an Engine for Financing the AI Buildout.
SoftBank’s $4 billion acquisition of Boca Raton-based DigitalBridge is about more than data centers. The deal gives SoftBank an investment-management platform capable of mobilizing institutional capital to help finance the next generation of AI infrastructure.
Global Logistics Leader GXO Selects Fort Lauderdale for New Regional Office
GXO Logistics, the world’s largest pure-play contract logistics provider, is opening a 35,000-square-foot regional office at T3 FAT Village in Fort Lauderdale, strengthening Broward County’s growing position as a hub for logistics, technology and corporate investment.
South Florida's Keith Sonderling Confirmed as U.S. Secretary of Labor
Boca Raton native Keith Sonderling has been confirmed as the 31st U.S. Secretary of Labor. A leading voice on AI in the workplace and the future of work, Sonderling will help shape national workforce policy as emerging technologies transform how America works.
Miami-Based TrustedRouter Raises $1.25M as AI Model Routing Gains Momentum
Miami-based TrustedRouter has raised $1.25 million in seed funding as demand grows for infrastructure connecting businesses with multiple AI models. The startup provides access to more than 600 models across over 81 providers while helping users select models based on performance, cost, privacy, and reliability. TrustedRouter is also emphasizing confidential computing and open-source technology to protect sensitive customer data. The funding adds another AI infrastructure startup to South Florida’s growing technology ecosystem.
Fintech Split Pay Raises $125M to Rethink How Consumers Pay Their Biggest Bills
Miami-based fintech Split Pay has raised $125 million across back-to-back Series A and Series B funding rounds led by Khosla Ventures. The company uses AI-powered cash-flow underwriting to help consumers manage major recurring expenses by changing when payments leave their accounts. Split Pay says it has reached approximately one million users and reported 70X growth over the past 12 months. The funding will support the company’s expansion beyond rent into a broader consumer financial platform.
Palm Beach AI Company DeLorean Acquired by WellStack in Healthcare Intelligence Deal
Palm Beach-based DeLorean Artificial Intelligence has been acquired by healthcare technology company WellStack in a deal combining predictive AI with healthcare data infrastructure. Founded in 2019, DeLorean developed technology designed to identify patient risks, predict disease progression, and support proactive interventions. The company had raised approximately $7.55 million before the acquisition. The transaction adds another healthcare AI exit to South Florida’s growing technology ecosystem.
DermaSensor Adds $5M as AI Skin Cancer Technology Moves Into National Scale-Up
Miami-based DermaSensor has secured approximately $5 million in new financing as it advances the national commercialization of its AI-powered skin cancer assessment device. The company’s latest funding includes a $4 million Series B extension and more than $1 million from a Wefunder community investment campaign. With more than 45,000 suspicious lesions scanned and new partnerships with Henry Schein, healthcare systems, and the VA market, DermaSensor is shifting from clinical validation toward broad adoption. The milestone highlights South Florida’s growing role in medical technology and healthcare innovation.
More Than a Campus: Vanderbilt’s Vision for South Florida’s Next Innovation Hub
Vanderbilt University’s planned West Palm Beach campus is emerging as a major addition to South Florida’s innovation ecosystem. Focused on graduate education, research, AI, engineering, finance, defense technology, and space innovation, the campus is expected to serve approximately 1,000 graduate students annually. The university also envisions partnerships connecting researchers, entrepreneurs, investors, employers, and the broader community. Its presence could help develop local talent, support startup formation, and strengthen the region’s position as a growing technology and financial hub.
2150 Co-Founder Christian Hernandez Gallardo Leaves VC Role to Help Scale Boca Raton-Based Blue Frontier
2150 co-founder Christian Hernandez Gallardo is leaving venture capital to become Executive Chair of Boca Raton-based Blue Frontier, helping the climate-tech company scale manufacturing, expand internationally and capitalize on growing demand for energy-efficient cooling as AI and data centers place new pressure on the electrical grid.
Cybersecurity Executive Sonu Shankar Joins Department of War as Principal Deputy CIO
Cybersecurity executive Sonu Shankar has been appointed Principal Deputy CIO of the U.S. Department of War. His move brings more than 15 years of cybersecurity, product and technology leadership experience into federal defense operations. Shankar previously held leadership roles at Phosphorus Cybersecurity, Cisco, Box and Arctic Wolf. His appointment comes as the Department expands its engagement with commercial technology companies and emerging innovators. The move also highlights the growing overlap between cybersecurity, AI and defense technology.
Miami Beach’s Flamingo Raises $4.5M to Rethink How Businesses Run IT
Miami Beach-based Flamingo has raised $4.5 million in seed funding to transform how businesses manage IT and cybersecurity. Led by Vertex Ventures, the round brings the company’s total funding to $6.7 million. Flamingo’s OpenFrame platform combines open infrastructure with AI agents designed to automate IT tasks and resolve issues. The startup is initially targeting managed service providers and already has hundreds of MSPs participating in its beta. Its approach could reshape the economics and business model of managed IT services.
Why Palantir’s Latest Executive Hire Could Signal a Bigger Push Into AI-Powered Finance
Palantir Technologies has named former AIG CEO Peter Zaffino global head of financial services, strengthening its push into insurance, banking, asset management and private equity. The appointment also underscores South Florida’s growing role in AI and fintech, with Palantir now headquartered in Aventura.
From Miami, Hugging Face CEO Clément Delangue Lands Nearly $13 Billion NVIDIA Deal
NVIDIA has agreed to acquire Hugging Face for approximately $12.93 billion, marking a major bet on the future of open-source AI. The deal also has a South Florida connection: Hugging Face co-founder and CEO Clément Delangue is based in the Miami area, where the global AI company maintains an office.
Mark Cuban Foundation AI Bootcamps Look to Build South Florida’s Next Generation of Tech Talent
The Mark Cuban Foundation AI Bootcamp returns to South Florida for its fifth year, expanding to four locations and giving more high school students access to AI education, industry mentors, and future technology career opportunities.
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.
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.