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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.
Investing in Tomorrow: NextEra Energy Foundation Celebrates 2026 SECME Scholarship Recipients
The NextEra Energy Foundation celebrated the 2026 SECME Scholarship recipients during a special recognition event at FPL's Manatee Lagoon, honoring outstanding Florida students pursuing STEM degrees. The feature highlights the scholarship program's impact, shares the inspiring journey of former recipient and FPL intern Samuel Dorcelus-Cetoute, and recognizes the next generation of innovators, engineers, and technology leaders who are helping shape Florida's future.
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.
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.
Fort Lauderdale's Upside Raises $20 Million to Address One of Healthcare's Biggest Challenges: Housing
Fort Lauderdale-based Upside has secured a $20 million Series A funding round led by Aquiline and Flare Capital Partners, accelerating its mission to address housing instability as a critical healthcare challenge. The investment highlights the growing role of social determinants of health in value-based care while reinforcing South Florida's emergence as a hub for healthcare innovation and venture-backed startups.
From Grants to Greatness: FPL's STEM Classroom Makeovers Are Transforming South Florida Schools
From robotics labs to hands-on engineering projects, FPL's STEM Classroom Makeover Grants are transforming schools across South Florida. As 2024-2025 grant recipients unveil their newly redesigned classrooms, students are gaining access to the tools and experiences that will help shape the future workforce and drive regional innovation.
South Florida Universities Offering AI, STEM, and Innovation Summer Youth Programs for 2026
South Florida colleges and universities are expanding Summer 2026 opportunities for students interested in artificial intelligence, STEM, engineering, entrepreneurship, coding, robotics, and pre-college learning. From FIU and the University of Miami to Nova Southeastern University, Miami Dade College, and FAU, these programs offer hands-on experiences designed to prepare the next generation of innovators and technology leaders.
GBI Biomanufacturing Expands in South Florida, Signaling a Turning Point for the Region’s Life Sciences Infrastructure
GBI Biomanufacturing is entering a major new growth phase in South Florida, marked by a 40,000-square-foot facility expansion, a $26 million infrastructure investment, and a strategic ramp-up in stem cell manufacturing capacity toward one million doses annually. With new President Jesse McCool at the helm and recognition as BioFlorida’s 2025 Manufacturer of the Year, the company is strengthening its role as a key biomanufacturing anchor in the region’s evolving life sciences ecosystem. Its expanded cGMP facility integrates advanced biologics production, fill-finish capabilities, and end-to-end process development, positioning GBI at the center of South Florida’s shift from emerging biotech market to operational manufacturing hub.
PRIMEPULSE Expands Globally with Launch of U.S. Operations in Fort Lauderdale
PRIMEPULSE is expanding into the United States with the launch of PRIMEPULSE Capital in Fort Lauderdale, strengthening its mission to connect European innovation with American growth opportunities. The firm aims to support technology-driven companies through cross-border investment, operational expertise, and a long-term, partnership-focused approach to international expansion.
Motorola Solutions Deepens 50-Year Commitment to South Florida with New R&D and Customer Experience Center
Motorola Solutions has opened a new R&D and Customer Experience Center in Plantation, Florida, expanding its 50-year presence in South Florida. The facility advances land mobile radio (LMR) innovation that powers mission-critical communications for first responders, schools, and public safety agencies across the region, while serving as a collaborative hub where customers directly influence the future of safety technology.
South Florida Robotics Talent Shines at FIRST Regional Competition
South Florida’s future engineers took center stage at the regional FIRST Robotics Competition, where student teams from across Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, and the Treasure Coast showcased cutting-edge robotics, teamwork, and technical skill. With championship teams emerging from Stuart, Miami, and Jupiter, the event highlighted the strength of the region’s growing STEM pipeline and its role in shaping the next generation of innovators.
Personal Flight Moves Closer to Reality with Doroni’s H1-X “Flying Car” Debut
Doroni Aerospace’s public unveiling of the H1-X in Dania Beach offered one of the clearest views yet of consumer-focused electric flight. With AI-powered controls and a personal ownership model, the company is pushing the concept of flying cars closer to everyday reality.
South Florida Is Powering Florida’s Growth; The Next Decade Will Test Our Readiness
South Florida sits at the center of Florida’s record-breaking growth—but sustaining that momentum will require bold planning, workforce investment, and regional collaboration. The next decade will define whether we lead—or fall behind.
Why the Miami–Palm Beach Corridor Could Be an Early eVTOL Launch Market
South Florida’s Miami–Palm Beach corridor is emerging as a prime candidate for early eVTOL air taxi networks. With short city-to-city distances, dense aviation infrastructure, and real estate developers driving vertiport integration, the region could become the first large-scale testbed for electric urban air mobility in the U.S.
Lamatic AI: The Fort Lauderdale Startup Simplifying AI for the Next Generation of Builders
Fort Lauderdale-based Lamatic.ai is making it easier than ever to build with AI—no full engineering team required.
Founded by Charles Whiteman and Aman Sharma, this Broward startup is helping developers and businesses integrate generative AI faster, smarter, and more efficiently. From streamlining workflows to cutting loan approvals from days to minutes, Lamatic.ai is proving that the future of AI is accessible—and it’s being built right here in South Florida.
SoFloGO: The App Powering South Florida’s Connected Transit Future
South Florida transit just got a major upgrade.
The SoFloGO app is bringing Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach transit systems into one seamless platform—making it easier than ever to plan, track, and pay for your entire journey.
More than convenience, it’s a step toward a more connected, accessible, and economically competitive region.
Top 4 eVTOL Companies in South Florida to Watch
Electric air taxis are closer than you think.
South Florida is quickly becoming a launchpad for advanced air mobility, with companies developing aircraft, vertiports, and regional networks connecting Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, and West Palm Beach.
From local startup Doroni Aerospace to global players like Archer Aviation, here are four eVTOL companies helping shape the future of transportation in the region.
Boutiques vs. Unicorns: The Two Paths Driving South Florida’s AI Boom
South Florida’s AI boom isn’t just one story — it’s two very different models growing side by side.
In Broward and Palm Beach, boutique AI consultancies are helping local businesses automate workflows and adopt practical AI tools. Meanwhile, in Miami, venture-backed startups are raising major funding rounds and chasing global platform scale.
Understanding how these two ecosystems interact may shape the future of the region’s tech economy.
IDEA Showcase at ITEXPO Crowns Follow-Up Now as 2026 Winner
The 2026 IDEA Showcase at ITEXPO #TECHSUPERSHOW celebrated innovation, disruption, evolution, and acceleration, featuring six emerging startups. Hosted by Nikki Cabus of Studio Solian for the fifth year, the event gave founders the chance to pitch to investors, receive real-time feedback, and build visibility. Follow-Up Now, founded by Wali Shareef, won the competition, earning cash, co-working space at Mana Tech, and access to mentorship and resources through Florida SBDC at FAU.
Las Olas Venture Capital Founder Bets on Execution — Not Geopolitics — to Drive South Florida Venture Growth
Geopolitics may shake headlines, but execution drives returns. Las Olas Venture Capital founder Mark Volchek says South Florida’s venture growth depends on disciplined capital, strong operators, and real exits — not global instability. From AI-powered platforms like Letterhead to logistics innovator OneRail, Florida’s industry DNA is shaping a smarter, more focused startup ecosystem. On Las Olas Boulevard, execution is the strategy.
Lupin to Invest $250 Million in New Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Facility in Coral Springs
Global pharmaceutical company Lupin Limited is investing $250 million to build a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Coral Springs, Florida. The new 70,000-square-foot site will produce over 25 critical respiratory medicines, including life-saving albuterol inhalers, and is expected to create more than 200 skilled jobs by 2030. This expansion strengthens domestic drug manufacturing, supply chain resilience, and South Florida’s position as a hub for life sciences innovation.