This November, the South Florida tech ecosystem ignited our entrepreneurial spirit during Global Entrepreneurship Month by hosting a series of extraordinary events showcasing the transformative power of innovation and investment. Dubbed “The Month of Shark Tank,” the month featured three dynamic events that highlighted Shark Tank investors and startups, inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs in South Florida.
Ignite Florida: Insights from Shark Tank Founders
Founders from Shark Tank, Shirah and Michael Benarde from Night Cap and Kelley Higney from Bug Bite Thing.
South Florida Tech Hub’s 3rd annual Ignite Florida Entrepreneurship Summit, presented by 35 MUles, kicked off the festivities with an exclusive panel discussion featuring three remarkable entrepreneurs who secured funding on ABC’s Shark Tank. Held in front of a captivated audience, the panel provided invaluable insights into their post-investment journeys, the lessons they’ve learned, and tips for standing out in the competitive world of pitching. The event featured:
- Shirah Benarde and Michael Benarde | NightCap: Creators of a drink-spiking prevention product that has gained widespread acclaim for its innovative approach to personal safety.
- Kelley Higney | Bug Bite Thing: Founder of the viral product designed to eliminate bug bite discomfort, which has become a household name.
Attendees were treated to firsthand accounts of how these founders leveraged their Shark Tank investments to grow their businesses, the challenges they’ve overcome, and actionable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs. The day also included a “Startup Resurces in South Florida” panel discussion and firseide chat titled “Journey To Acquisition.” The energy in the room was electric, as South Florida’s entrepreneurial community came together to learn, connect, and be inspired.
The Big Pitch Night: Innovation Meets Opportunity
Shark Tank investor, Daymond John, with judges.
The entrepreneurial momentum continued with The Big Pitch Night, held at Mindspace Miami, a luxury coworking space in Downtown Miami. Moderated by Daymond John, star of ABC’s Shark Tank, this event brought together a full house of founders, investors, and industry professionals for an unforgettable evening.
Four ambitious entrepreneurs pitched their groundbreaking business ideas to an esteemed panel of judges, competing for not only expert feedback but also six months of free office space at Mindspace Miami. The panel of judges included: Maggie Vo, Managing General Partner & Chief Investment Officer at Fuel Venture Capital, Justis Mendez, Founding Partner at OneSixOne Ventures, and Eric Aaronson, Senior Investment Analyst & Attorney at The Mark Cuban Companies.
The spotlight shone on four innovative entrepreneurs:
- Barbara Parker | Founder of BF Empowerment Center, a leading mental health agency focused on reducing aggression and improving mental health outcomes within two weeks.
- Dillon Abend | Co-Founder of @3rd_i_app, a transportation and rideshare safety app designed to enhance safety and connectivity during transit.
- Heather Caine | Founder of Style to Design, a platform revolutionizing real estate staging and visualization for agents and homeowners.
- Luca Dahlhausen | Co-Founder of Realfinity, a platform enabling real estate professionals to seamlessly integrate mortgage services into their offerings.
After an exciting evening of pitches, Heather Caine of Style to Design emerged as the winner. Her innovative approach to bridging personal style and functional design solutions wowed the judges and earned her six months of free office space at Mindspace Miami, a valuable opportunity to accelerate her business growth.
NobleCon’s “Croc Tank”: A Shark Tank Finale
Shark Tank investors Daymond John, Robert Herjavec, and Kevin O’Leary with EpiPaws’ founder Dr. Andria Beal.
The month-long celebration concluded with NobleCon 20, Noble Capital Markets annual Emerging Growth Equity Conference, hosted in partnership with FAU’s College of Business Executive Education programs. Known for bringing together a diverse group of investors, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders, this year’s NobleCon featured the thrilling “Croc Tank” competition. The event served as a unique platform for South Florida’s brightest innovators to present their groundbreaking ideas to a panel of esteemed judges, including capitalist Kevin O’Leary, FUBU apparel founder Daymond John, and cyber-tech giant Robert Herjavec for the chance to win investment money from one of the “sharks.”
One standout success story was South Florida Tech Hub member and Florida Atlantic Tech Runway cohort company EpiPaws, founded by Andria Beal, PhD. EpiPaws specializes in DNA testing for pets, providing insights into their age and potential medical issues. Beal’s innovative pitch earned her an investment offer of $250,000 for a 20% share from Kevin O’Leary (aka Mr Wonderful), marking a major milestone for her company’s growth.
This is following a breakout year for EpiPaws after being accepted into mutiple accelerator programs and winning mulitple pitch competitions. EpiPaws tied for first place in Tech Hub’s Ignite Florida Summit in 2023 winning $20k cash.
In addition to the Croc Tank competition, NobleCon offered a wide range of sessions, panels, and networking opportunities. Entrepreneurs had the chance to connect with seasoned investors, explore funding opportunities, and gain valuable insights into scaling their businesses. The event underscored the importance of collaboration and mentorship in driving innovation and fostering economic growth in the region.
A Month of Inspiration and Impact
Global Entrepreneurship Month 2024 was a testament to South Florida’s vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem and the incredible potential of collaboration, mentorship, and innovation. From firsthand accounts of Shark Tank journeys to competitive pitch events judged by industry leaders, the events inspired and empowered the region’s entrepreneurs to chase their dreams and create impactful businesses.
As the month closed, the South Florida tech community solidified its role as a driving force in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. Here’s to the next wave of visionary founders ready to make their mark on the world.