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.

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.

Pratt & Whitney’s latest investments are highlighting West Palm Beach’s role in South Florida’s growing aerospace economy. The company is investing $20 million to expand its local engine maintenance facility while securing a nearly $1.3 billion F135 sustainment contract. Together, the developments connect the region to commercial aviation, military propulsion and advanced manufacturing. The activity also creates opportunities for skilled talent, suppliers and emerging defense technology companies. South Florida’s aerospace sector is becoming an increasingly important part of its broader innovation economy.

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.

West Palm Beach-based Powerus has secured a U.S. Air Force contract with a ceiling of up to $90 million, expanding its role in autonomous defense technology. The company develops drones, counter-drone systems, sensors, software and other autonomous technologies for defense applications. Powerus is also pursuing a potential public-market transaction as it scales its portfolio. New strategic advisors with senior military and national security experience are further strengthening the company’s leadership. The developments add momentum to South Florida’s growing defense and autonomous technology ecosystem.

Andreessen Horowitz is establishing its American Dynamism regional headquarters in West Palm Beach, adding institutional venture capital to South Florida’s growing concentration of defense, aerospace and advanced-technology companies. The move raises a bigger question: Is South Florida becoming a place where the next generation of defense-tech companies can be built and scaled?

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.

AFCEA South Florida’s Operation Collaboration brought together professionals from government, military, cybersecurity, technology and private industry. The event also raised funds for the chapter’s STEM scholarship initiatives, connecting industry collaboration with investment in future talent. AFCEA South Florida supports students pursuing fields such as engineering, computer science and cybersecurity. The chapter is also expanding partnerships with schools and STEM organizations across the region. Its efforts highlight the importance of collaboration in developing South Florida’s future technology workforce.

Related Ross has acquired the 124-acre Boca Raton Innovation Campus, expanding its nearly 30-year investment in Palm Beach County. From its IBM roots to D-Wave’s arrival, BRiC could be entering a new era of technology, talent and innovation.