South Florida Tech HubSouth Florida Tech Hub
15
Aug, 2022

By Nikki Cabus

IronHack launches new FemTech movement

Read Time 3 Minutes

Only 19% of STEM graduates are women, 25% of computing roles are held by women, and 50% of women said they have experienced gender discrimination at work. Sadly, it’s nothing new – tech lacks women. IronHack has decided to do something about it. Hence, the FemTech Movement was created.

IronHack believes that everyone should have an opportunity to build a fulfilling career regardless of their background and previous experience with tech. They are convinced that by depriving itself of female talent, the Tech sector is missing out on major technological innovations and they want to do their part by inspiring more women to join tech jobs. They are on a mission to empower women professionals to shape the future of female tech, create visibility in the tech gender gap, and provide access to education for women trying to break into tech.

Ironhack is a leading Global Tech School that offers individuals intensive courses in Web Development, UI/UX Design, and Data Analytics. The curriculum is designed for those looking to re-skill and build careers in the tech sector. In addition to their D2C programs, they offer enterprise tech training solutions aimed at educating diverse teams on the latest technology skills.

“The gender gap in technology is larger today than it was in the mid-80s. To make matters worse, the overall talent gap is growing at a pace that will leave us with over 85 million unfilled jobs by 2030. In tech alone, the US could lose out on $162 billion worth of revenues annually unless it finds more high-tech workers. Without a focus on training diverse talent, especially women, we will almost certainly not be able to meet the talent needs of the global economy,” Karina DuQuesne, IronHack’s GM US, VP, People and General Counsel told Tech Hub.

“While raising awareness to the barriers faced by underserved groups is critical, little is going to change without action. The program will also include support from our community and corporate partners, whose participation is paramount to creating systemic and long lasting change within the tech industry.”

This project aims to provide access to tech education to at least 250 women globally, including 50 in Miami. In addition, Ironhack committed to host at least five special events in Miami specifically for Women in Technology between September 2022 and August 2023 with local partners such as eMerge Americas, MediaQuery, Everymundo, Tribal Scale, Bootup and South Florida Tech Hub. Lastly, in conjunction with education training, Ironhack will launch a Female mentoring program for all Ironhack students and Alumni, pairing each with successful technology professionals in the local community. With these metrics, we hope to increase the number of female students globally  by 30% and further develop the local community of FemTech professionals.

To learn more, visit https://www.ironhack.com/en/madrid/the-femtech-movement

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15
Aug, 2022

By Nikki Cabus

Ocean Builders reveals world’s first eco-restorative futuristic floating homes

Read Time 5 Minutes

Set to launch virtual sales this month, Ocean Builders a new leading ocean innovation technology company based in Panama, is revealing their fleet of revolutionary living pods that will change the way humankind thinks about home, travel, and how to live in a future-focused world. And they have their sites set on South Florida next. 

Conceptualized by Ocean Builders President and Head of Engineering Rüdiger Koch and Chief Executive Officer Grant Romundt, the SeaPod was created as an answer to an inevitable problem. A lack of space in desirable destinations. “Everyday thousands of people all over the world move closer to the top 15 major metropolitan cities which are within 80km of a coastline – a trend that will continue to grow,” said CEO Grant Romundt.

“With our experience in ocean technology innovation, we knew we could offer a path forward for offshore infrastructure that is both restorative and sustainable. We’ve been motivated by the opportunity to change and challenge the traditional real estate and tourism models and create first-in-class living experiences that can give back to our ocean environment.”

Ocean Builder’s mission is to develop revolutionary blue technology that makes the 72% water-covered world into an eco-sustainable paradise. The company’s innovative and proprietary technology will allow civilization to move onto the sea and it will unlock the ocean as a new frontier with a quality of life that is unbeatable anywhere else. By learning to live on the water, they believe it will open a new wave of eco-sustainable innovation that will lead to living more sustainably on land.

Ocean Builders’ range of premium price-accessible Pods includes the original SeaPod built for aquatic living, the GreenPod for land use, and the EcoPod providing an ecologically and economically friendly option – all created to optimize high-quality living experiences driven by cutting edge technology and eco-restorative sustainability. 

Designed by Dutch architect, Koen Olthius, who specializes in developing solutions to problems posed by urbanization and climate change, the SeaPods were created to accommodate the needs of climate conscious residents and travelers looking to live among the waves without sacrificing the luxuries of modern living. With over 575 square-feet of panoramic windows and 360-degree unobstructed ocean views, the SeaPods offer over 830 square-feet of living space generously proportioned over three half-floors and include a master bedroom, living room, kitchen, bathroom, and patio all situated 7.5 feet above the waves. The Seapods also offer 1,250 cubic-feet of storage space. 

An exclusive destination within itself, the Pods elevate luxury living with state-of-the-art technology, top-tier amenities and customizable applications that will tailor both the design and functionality of each Pod to accommodate each resident and guest. Native Pod software allows for ease of home management from lighting, and temperature control to more advanced luxuries such as setting shower temperature and water pressure. The software will continue to update as services and automations are added allowing each Pod to evolve with the latest capabilities that are constantly being developed. A wearable smart ring will offer residents another means for conveniently controlling various touchpoints and applications throughout the Pods – with a simple wave of the hand, the rings can unlock doors, turn on music, and more.

Aerial Delivery Drones, customized and perfected to withstand high winds and other overwater conditions will be used to deliver food, medicine, and everyday smaller items while the ASTRO (Autonomous Surface Transport & Recycling Operations) ASV (Autonomous Surface Vessel) will be able to safely transport up 440 pounds for larger deliveries including luggage, furniture, and for resident transport to and from the SeaPods. The ASTRO ASV will also act as an ocean recycling vessel to help collect trash and debris to clean up the area surrounding the Pods.

The launch of the SeaPods also marks the introduction of the eco-restorative home. With the driving focus on sustainability, every aspect of the Pods from design to application and operations has been created to benefit the surrounding environment. Through the eco restorative home Ocean Builders has developed the ability to create a natural habitat for ocean life to occupy and thrive based on the design and engineering of each Pod – ultimately attracting sea life that generates flourishing underwater ecosystems. 

Speaking directly to the new, first-of-its-kind offering: “We no longer live in a world of impossibilities, Romundt continued. “We are sending people to space and childlike dreams are quickly becoming a reality. We are creating a new real estate asset class and luxury lifestyle that will redefine how and where we live while optimizing the health, safety, and sustainability of the environments that house the Pods and the residents and guests that will ultimately occupy them.” 

Connor Firmender, a South Floridian and Ocean Builder’s Director of Business Development, says that “We have already begun pushing business and revenue into Florida through partnerships such as testing subsea drones with Florida International University’s marine science and robotics team, an underwater mapping drone being built by Tampa Deep Sea Xplorers, shipments through Miami’s SFS Cargo Express and AeraCarga, helping build a coral garden off the coast of Naples with Florida Gulf Coast University, and purchasing electric UTVs from a company in Cape Coral.”

Connor plans to move back from Panama to South Florida in Q1 of 2023 to open Ocean Builder’s first international office. The company plans to continue hiring engineers, scientists, and architects from the region. A huge portion of our global demand in the United States is in Florida and Ocean Builders has their eye set on launching their first U.S. pod in Miami. Additionally, Ocean Builders anticipates restoring Biscayne Bay and the Florida Keys coral reefs in 2023 through a partnership with Florida International University.

By the end of 2023, Ocean Builders plans to have the first 100 fully owned custom Pods in production. A second deployment of over 1,000 fully owned Pods will begin in 2024. Ocean Builders is exclusively managing sales and offers private virtual showings by appointment. To schedule, please contact (702) 325-8092 or email info@oceanbuilders.com. 

07
Aug, 2022

By Nikki Cabus

Office Depot’s back-to-school Start Proud initiative kicks off

Read Time 4 Minutes

It’s official, Start Proud!, the national back-2-school philanthropy campaign of ODP (parent of Office Depot) kicked-off on August 6th, 2022.

In Summer 2018, Office Depot launched Start Proud! to help foster brighter beginnings for schools in low-income communities, nationwide, and to give students, parents and teachers the supplies they need to start the year confident, prepared and proud.

Start Proud! is hosted at elementary schools in underserved communities in the 15 largest markets across the country: Atlanta, Austin, Chicago, Columbus, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Minneapolis, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Francisco, Seattle, Southern California, and right here in South Florida, where the Office Depot headquarters are located. 

Through its banner brands Office Depot®, OfficeMax®, ODP Business Solutions™, Varis™ , and others, the company offers its customers the tools and resources they need to focus on their passion of starting, growing and running their business. . . or classroom.

The program kicks-off in July with Backpack Bundling Bashes, where associates, friends and family members come together to assemble backpacks full of school supplies for the deserving students of the select Start Proud! schools. 

August through September, Start Proud! comes to life at Celebratory Assemblies across the nation. These inspiring campus celebrations include an exciting program and inspiring event for all with remarks from Office Depot’s senior executives, school’s principals, the district’s superintendents, National PTA representatives and other special guests.

The special day includes hundreds of excited students gathering, cheering, and receiving brand-new backpacks and school supplies; classroom supplies donated to all the teachers of the school; and one ‘All-Star Teacher’ from each school celebrated for their extraordinary efforts in the classroom and surprised with a package of premium classroom supplies including new furniture, teaching supplies, technology and tech services from Office Depot valued at almost $2000.

In 2021, over $3.8 million worth of educational supplies were donated. Associate volunteers assembled 18,000 premium backpacks filled with over $1.8 million worth of school supplies like notebooks, composition books, crayons, pencils, highlighters and more, to provide to students at more than 25 Title I schools nationwide. With support from Boise Paper and Domtar Paper, each backpack also included one $20 Office Depot gift card for families to purchase additional supplies for their child. Let’s see what 2022 will bring!

“After the great challenges of these past three years, nothing could be more important than supporting and celebrating our public school students and teachers as they head into the 2022 back-to-school season,“ said Alex Price, National Director of Community Investment for The ODP Corporation (parent of Office Depot),

“As we traverse the traverse the U.S. adopting Title 1 schools, supporting families in need, and celebrating teachers who are our superheroes, this Start Proud! campaign will shower the most economically distressed schools with everything they need with a special commitment to our home community of South Florida,” added Price.

Did you know that YOU can help make a difference this school year just by purchasing the supplies you need from Office Depot? Simply make a purchase of qualifying school supplies, provide your school’s ID at
checkout (in store and online) and your designated school will receive 5% back in credits for FREE supplies! It’s a small act that can make a huge difference and anything that can help stretch a school’s budget allows them to provide the best education possible.

Office Depot also leverages its retail footprint to provide customers with the opportunity to support a local Title I school in their area, through a partnership with Round It Up America® (RIUA). Simply round up your purchase to the nearest dollar. With these additional funds, selected school representatives can enjoy a shopping spree at their local Office Depot or OfficeMax store to get additional learning essentials, technology and personal protective equipment (PPE) into the hands of the teachers, students, and school administrators who need them.

The Start Proud! campaign is part of Office Depot’s community investment initiative called #depotdifference. As our company continues to change and evolve in exciting ways, so too has the way in which we support the communities where we live and do business. #depotdifference brings an employee-centric, hands-on approach to empower us all to make a difference through robust employee volunteerism and philanthropic giving. To learn more about Office Depot’s investment in local communities nationwide, visit depotdifference.com

 

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07
Aug, 2022

By Nikki Cabus

Boca Raton-based 365 Data Centers to acquire U.S. Colocation and Network Business

Read Time 3 Minutes

365 Data Centers, a leading provider of network-centric colocation and other Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) solutions, has entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement to acquire Sungard’s U.S. colocation and network business.

365 is acquiring the international colocation brand’s data center facilities and customers in 8 strategic edge markets along with its U.S. network infrastructure, routes, and customers.

The transaction will complement 365’s existing data center presence in Boca Raton (FL), Bridgewater (NJ), Buffalo, Chicago, Commack (NY), Detroit, Fort Lauderdale, Herndon (VA), Nashville, Philadelphia, New York City, and Tampa, and its interconnected, resilient, low latency, nationwide fiber network.

365’s robust, carrier-neutral ecosystem and secure, reliable edge colocation, network, IP, DRaaS, BaaS, cloud compute and storage, and business continuity services help organizations reduce costs, drive innovation, and improve their customer experience. 365 Data Centers supports mission-critical application infrastructure by providing industry leading Service Level Agreement protections and adhering to industry standards such as HIPAA, PCI DSS, SOC 1 Type 2, SOC 2 Type 2, SSAE 18, and ISAE 3402.

Once this acquisition is closed and integrated, 365 will feature:

  • 20 interconnected network-centric Data Centers
  • 1,000,000 data center square feet which includes ample expansion space
  • 53 MW of available power
  • 105 Carriers across the platform with about 300 Carrier Points-of-Presence (PoPs)
  • 90 additional network PoPs outside the 20 Data Centers
  • Direct on-ramps from each Data Center to the public clouds
  • Cloud storage, cloud compute, BaaS, DRaaS, and business continuity offerings
  • 1,700 carrier, content, and enterprise customers

“This acquisition demonstrates 365 Data Centers’ adherence to its network-centric colocation growth strategy,” said Bob DeSantis, 365 Data Centers CEO.

“We have already successfully doubled our business two times since inception in 2017 by acquiring, financing, integrating, and growing quality assets. We look forward to doing the same with the addition of the Sungard colocation and network portfolio, which will further enable us to provide quality services, grow our customer base, and deliver exceptional financial performance, all of which benefits our customers, employees, and investors.”

Sungard employees associated with the acquired business are expected to continue to serve existing customers and will be complemented by the 365 technical team. The same happened during the 2020 acquisition of Atlantic Metro when some of the  founders and key leaders will joined the 365 executive team. DeSantis added, “We look forward to having Sungard professionals join 365 and wowing our entire customer base with the combined talents of over 200 dedicated employees.”

Funding for the transaction has already been secured from 365’s existing equity owners, including Stonecourt Capital which invests capital from some of the world’s largest family offices, institutions and sovereign wealth funds, and the Company’s bank syndicate, which represents the premier lenders to the data center industry.

The deal is expected to close during the next three months. This transaction further solidifies 365’s position as one of the largest privately held IaaS providers operating in the Eastern United States with direct network connectivity to owned facilities in key western markets to serve customers with those geographic requirements.

06
Aug, 2022

By Nikki Cabus

Ft. Lauderdale-based Boatsetter raises $38M in Series B round

Read Time 4 Minutes

Since inception in 2021, Ft. Lauderdale-based startup, Boatsetter, is quickly becoming the leading marketplace for on-the-water experiences and boat rentals.

According to Crunchbase, the startup has raised $65 million dollars which includes a Series A raise of $10 million led by WestCap Group and Valor Equity in 2019 and now a Series B raise of $38 million dollars led by Level Equity, with participation from Suntex Marinas, Certares and others.

The Digital Private Markets team of J.P. Morgan Securities LLC served as the sole placement agent for the deal. The Series B funding will enable Boatsetter to enrich the product features, boat inventory, and experiential offerings that have drawn over one million boaters and boat owners alike to the Boatsetter community since launch, as well as to bring Boatsetter to new markets across the globe.

With more than 50,000 boat listings in 700 locations worldwide, Boatsetter offers the most diverse collection of high-quality rental boats available, as well as a wide array of water activities. Boat owners and captains are creating new on-the-water experiences daily, including wakeboarding, sunset cruises, party boats, fishing excursions, sand bar hopping, and so much more.

Launched commercially in 2014, Boatsetter pioneered the first ever peer-to-peer boat rental insurance policy – securing exclusive coverage with GEICO & BoatUS. Now, as a result of Boatsetter’s efforts, private boat owners can rent their boats through the Boatsetter platform – reinventing what’s possible within the $60B boating industry and creating an entirely new category within the recreational, outdoor leisure and travel sharing economy.

“Our mission has always been about celebrating the ways that the water brings people together, and making incredible on-the-water experiences more affordable and accessible to everyone, everywhere,” said Jaclyn Baumgarten, Co-Founder and CEO of Boatsetter.

“By making it simple and worry-free to book an experience through Boatsetter, we’ve been able to welcome hundreds of thousands of new boaters onto the water for the very first time. With this funding, we’ll continue to build on that momentum, bringing more boats, experiences, and markets into the Boatsetter community.”

With on-demand services such as Uber, Netflix, and Airbnb becoming more and more popular and a younger generation driven by experiences and the use of technology, Boatsetter is the perfect platform for users of all ages to create unique memorable day out on the water. From fishing boats to yacht rentals, there is a variety of price points and interests.

In a television news interview, Baumgarten had stated that the pandemic also increased the interest of people wanting to get outside, in a safe environment, and create memories. This created a new interest in boating for many who don’t own a boat or been a part of the boating community before. New boaters who are still gaining confidence at the helm can rent a boat with a captain, accessing Boatsetter’s database of United States Coast Guard certified captains – another element that sets Boatsetter apart.

“We were attracted to how Boatsetter has taken the often intimidating arena of boat rental and ownership and made it remarkably intuitive,” said Gautam Gupta, Partner at Level Equity. “They’ve put extensive work into building the infrastructure it takes to make a business like this successful in the long term, and they’ve cracked open a market for water experiences that was previously quite narrow – attracting hundreds of thousands of new boaters and boat owners of all ages and backgrounds in the process.”

While Boatsetter has filled a much-needed void for consumers who may not have had access to the water before, it has also created paths to entrepreneurship for many boat owners who see the best in class return on investment they can achieve from renting their vessels via Boatsetter, as well as the peace of mind provided by Boatsetter’s turnkey service, which manages every aspect from matching them with qualified renters to putting the insurance in place to collecting payment.

Boatsetter has seen steady growth and adoption of its technology, doubling its year-over-year bookings in 2021. Renters can download the Boatsetter app or visit the website to book a boat in less than five minutes and be out on the water the next day.

01
Aug, 2022

By Nikki Cabus

EndeavorLAB closes out their first ever Boca Raton cohort

Read Time 3 Minutes

On Wednesday, July 27th, Endeavor closed out their EndeavorLAB Boca Raton cohort at the Boca Raton Innovation Campus, or “BRiC,” the birthplace of IBM’s personal computer.

BRiC is now a state-of-the-art, accessible 1.7 million square foot office park that is a magnet for forward thinkers in technology and life sciences. The campus is home to many innovative companies such as Modernizing Medicine who are continuing to transform the tech landscape in South Florida.

EndeavorLAB is a two-month, audience-specific, accelerated growth program designed to support local early-stage companies in establishing their business foundations post-revenue generation.

Powered by the City of Boca Raton’s Economic Development office, there were representatives from the City of Boca Raton, Boca’s new Innovation Strategist, Maria Hernandez, and Boca Raton’s Mayor Scott Singer all in attendance.

“Hearing the audience exchange compliments about the founders and express genuine interest in their companies put a huge smile on my face,” wrote Claudia Duran, Managing Director of Endeavor Miami, in a recent social media post.

“With the expertise and guidance of our Endeavor Mentor network, these entrepreneurs quickly developed their foundations for scale.”

Participants of the EndeavorLAB cohort powered by the City of Boca Raton include:

  • Flo-Ops increases student engagement by merging the academic and non-academic world into a modern and intuitive mobile app. Flo-Ops is a one-stop-shop app that consolidates all EdTech solutions through REST APIs while creating a community for both the instructional and non academic activities through communication, organization and collaboration.
  • ReachLink provides online therapy services for people seeking assistance with improving their mental health.
  • Securi.ly Inc. enables founders to scale their business by offering an integrated, streamlined path to achieve and show proof of a solid security posture to their clients in only a few days.
  • Synchronyx designed a novel medication companion and digital connected health solution for healthcare stakeholders and their patient populations with chronic and medically complex conditions. Through the integration of smart labels and action-driven algorithms, its platform empowers teams to proactively identify nonadherence, worsening outcomes, and barriers to care, and ensure timely care connections with automated and human touchpoints.
  • Total Brokerage is an all-in-one back office for real estate brokerages.
  • Ultimaxx Health is a privately held early stage Pharma Company that develops, and partners with developers of, innovative plant-based medicines, products and natural solutions for pressing public health problems, chronic conditions and general health and wellness. The Company is also engaged in other relevant research, strategic partnerships and business development activities that benefit and or are synergistic with its mission and overall objectives.
  • WorkStory (formerly GetSpeedBack) takes the hassle out of employee performance management by collecting feedback and data within your workflow. By replacing the traditional performance review process, WorkStory increases employee engagement and organizational efficiency while saving time.

Endeavor is on a mission to support more startups and entrepreneurs across the state of Florida. Endeavor Miami launched in September 2013 with the support of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation as the first U.S. affiliate of Endeavor Global, but is now expanding to more of the tri-county region supporting startups in both Broward and Palm Beach counties. Congrats to Endeavor and all the companies involved!

 

31
Jul, 2022

By Nikki Cabus

Two South Florida locations chosen for Mark Cuban’s AI Bootcamp for high school students

Read Time 3 Minutes

Two South Florida counties have been chosen for Mark Cuban’s Artificial Intelligence Bootcamp for high school students: Miami-Dade and Palm Beach county. They are two of the 30 camps being held across the United States this Fall season attracting over 600 high school students grades 9th – 12th.

Florida Power and Light will host the no cost AI bootcamp in Palm Beach County at the beautiful FPL Manatee Lagoon in West Palm Beach which is an FPL Eco-Discovery Center. The program will be targeted at high school students and introduce underserved students in grades 9 through 12 to basic AI concepts and skills. The Miami location will be hosted by Argo AI at Miami Dade College’s AI Center located in North Campus. Both bootcamps will be held over four consecutive Saturdays starting on October 22nd and ending on November 12th.

“‘FPL is proud to serve as the host company for Mark Cuban’s AI Boot Camp for students who would otherwise not have exposure to programs in STEM. Our corporate culture is focused on giving back to the communities where we live and work. We are intentional about supporting and building thriving communities for the next generation. We hope students will be inspired to pursue careers in STEM right here in South Florida,” said Grace Kurian, Executive Director of Information Technology- Nuclear at NextEra Energy, Inc. NextEra Energy owns FPL, which is the largest vertically integrated rate-regulated electric utility in the United States.

Founded by Mark Cuban in 2019, the AI Bootcamp initiative has hosted free AI bootcamps for students across several US cities, including Dallas, Pasadena, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Detroit, and Atlantic City to name a few. The Mark Cuban Foundation has impacted 450+ students to date and has a goal to have 1,000 students graduate from AI Bootcamps Program in 2023. These two South Florida bootcamps are the first in the region.

A Wall Street Journal article read, “Mr. Cuban’s focus on AI comes as technologists and academics attempt to raise awareness about diversity and inclusion issues within AI and the technology industry. Women and minorities are underrepresented in artificial intelligence, and experts say that’s a problem that could contribute to algorithmic bias.”

“I saw the impact of PCs. Then I saw the impact of local area networks. Then I saw the impact of wide area networks. Then I saw the impact of the Internet. Then I saw the impact of mobile. Then I saw the impact of wireless. Now I’m seeing the impact of artificial intelligence. And it dwarfs any of those things,” says Mark Cuban. “One of my goals is to really go out and find the superstars. There are so many there that are under-appreciated and don’t have access to resources.”

Aimed to increase AI literacy and understanding in students from underserved communities, the high schools students do not need any prior experience with computer science, programming, or robotics to apply and attend.

Throughout the AI Bootcamp, students will learn what artificial intelligence is and is not, where they already interact with AI in their own lives, and the ethical implications of AI systems including but not limited to TikTok recommendations, smart home assistants, facial recognition, and self-driving cars to name a few. Students will benefit from volunteer mentor instructors who are knowledgeable about data science and able to help students quickly understand material normally taught at a collegiate level.

As part of the 5-hour curriculum, students also get to work in Microsoft Azure, Microsoft’s cloud computing platform, each day to build their own AI applications related to Chatbots, Computer Vision, Machine Learning, and Natural Language Processing.

The Mark Cuban Foundation provides the bootcamp’s curriculum materials, trains volunteer mentors, and recruits
and selects local students to attend camp. In addition, the Mark Cuban Foundation and each host company, Florida Power & Light and Argo, work together to provide food, transportation, and access to laptops for students at no cost throughout the duration of Bootcamp.

Applications are now open at markcubanai.org/apply22. The deadline to apply is Thursday, September 1st, 2022.

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31
Jul, 2022

By Nikki Cabus

FAU Receives State Cybersecurity IT Grant for over $800K with support from Tech Hub

Read Time 5 Minutes

Florida Atlantic University was awarded more than $800,000 by the state of Florida as part of a $15.6 million initiative to prepare students and mid-career professionals for jobs in the burgeoning fields of cybersecurity and information technology.

The $838,483 grant will help FAU market and grow existing cybersecurity, cryptology and business management certification courses and programs in the College of Business, the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science and the College of Engineering and Computer Science. These undergraduate and graduate courses, as well as programs, will help address a labor market shortage by encouraging more people to pursue careers in these fields.

South Florida Tech Hub, a regional technology nonprofit supported the grant application. One component of the grant was regional coordination between higher education and the school districts which Tech Hub highly supports. While each of the colleges features its own cybersecurity program and set of courses, they are uniquely linked, providing flexibility to meet the needs of students. “The only way we are going to truly move the needle in regards to tech talent is through collaboration. This is not a city or county issue, but an issue for the entire state,” stated Tech Hub CEO, Nikki Cabus.

The two main geographic regions for the statewide grant were the Greater Tampa Bay area and the Greater Miami Area, including the following counties: Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach and the following educational institutions: Florida International University, Miami-Dade Public Schools, Broward County Schools, Palm Beach County Schools, Miami Dade College, Broward College, and Palm Beach State College.

Florida Atlantic University, in collaboration with Broward College and Palm Beach State College, will use the grant money to fund CAREERS in Cybersecurity. The project aims to provide curricular enhancements, expanded industry collaboration and internships, K-12 outreach activities, an interactive and informative website, and a regional mass marketing campaign to reach all interested students and workers in the community.

“This is a powerful partnership, having three colleges [FAU, BC, and PBSC] work together with industry to increase the cybersecurity workforce,” said Nancy Romance, Ed.D., FAU’s principal investigator in the College of Engineering and Computer Science and co-author of the grant proposal.

FAU will work with South Florida Tech Hub who will assist in finding career opportunities for those who complete the courses and certificate programs.

“Tech Hub has many great initiatives that involve postsecondary (e.g., Postsecondary Education Committee; the Talent Committee) as well as almost weekly events across the region,” stated Dr. Romance. “With over 240 member companies across South Florida, Tech Hub has been a great sponsor and has been a main agent increasing industry support of education across all grade spans.”

The funding comes from a joint effort of the Florida Department of Education, Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Center for Cybersecurity. According to the Florida Center for Cybersecurity, or Cyber Florida, “The purpose of the Expanding Cybersecurity and Information Technology Pathways program is to increase the number of trained and/or educated workers in Florida that are prepared to fill cybersecurity/information technology (IT) jobs in the state and the Nation.”

Cybersecurity jobs are expected to grow by a faster-than-average 33 percent over the next 10 years, according to a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report cited by the governor’s office. In addition, cybersecurity-related job postings have increased by 43 percent in the past year, as reported by the CyberSeek website.

“The CAREERS project provides all students and interested adults with a viable pathway to successful, high-quality jobs in cybersecurity, while also addressing the critical shortage of workers in these fields,” said Hari Kalva, Ph.D., co-author of the grant proposal and associate chair and professor in the College of Engineering and Computer Science.

Dr. Kalva is also on the South Florida Tech Hub Board of Directors and has been involved in other tech talent initiatives with the nonprofit through the Talent Committee. One recent initiative is the FenwayPipeline™  program addressing the shortage of talent by bridging the talent gap through a mentorship program for local tech students.

FAU’s cybersecurity grant award will help the Department of Information Technology and Operations Management in the College of Business enhance its existing cybersecurity-related curriculum, said Nataliia Neshenko, Ph.D., a co-author of the grant proposal. “Today’s cybersecurity reality calls for a close collaboration between academia and industry to address the shortage of highly skilled professionals,” she said.

The Charles E. Schmidt College of Science approaches cybersecurity from perhaps its most technical side, cryptography, according to Edoardo Persichetti, Ph.D., another co-author. He said the college has four cryptography professors, but a lagging enrollment in those classes. “This grant is a very important step toward establishing a healthy increase in the number of students and professionals in cybersecurity in the College of Science,” he said.

Across Florida, the following projects have been selected for funding through the Cyber/IT Pathways Grant program:

  • Project HaHa – FIU
  • Expanding Cybersecurity & IT Pathways – Miami Dade College
  • First Coast Cybersecurity & IT Pathways Project – FSCJ
  • Increasing Cyber Technicians 2022 – HCC
  • Hal Marcus College of Science & Engineering – UWF
  • Cloud Computing Initiative – St. Petersburg College
  • FIU Minecraft-based Cybersecurity Professional Development for K12 Teachers
  • CyberSkills2Work Florida/Center for Cybersecurity – UWF
  • Palm Beach Collaborative Cyber Pathway Project – Palm Beach State College
  • Expanding Cybersecurity & IT Pathways – Hillsborough County Public Schools
  • Hybrid-honeynet platform for CTI education – UNF
  • Cybersecurity Pathway for Public and Nonprofit Organizations – FIU
  • SCF Cyber/IT Pathway – State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota
  • SLPS Cybersecurity at LPA – St. Lucie County School Board
  • Cyber Security Lab – Florida Gateway College
  • Enhancing the Growth and Quality of Cybersecurity Programs (EGQCP) – FL Poly
  • Expanding the pipeline of the Cyber/IT workforce – USF
  • Applied Cybersecurity Fundamentals Continuing Education – Cape Coral Technical College
  • CAREERS in Cybersecurity – FAU
  • Towards Empowering the Next Generation of Cyber Professionals/Pathways – USF
  • Cyber Threat Intelligence Fellowship Program – FIU
  • The Modernization of Digital Information Technology – USF
  • Cybercrime Investigation Training for Florida Law Enforcement Officers – USF
  • Cybersecurity Professional Pathways for Women and URM – FAMU

“The 24 projects that will be funded through this $15.6 million are anticipated to train 27,000 Florida students over the next year. Click here to view the list of awards,” reads a Press Release from flgov.com. “In Florida, Governor DeSantis has prioritized cybersecurity, providing resources to our institutions to meet the demand of cybersecurity professionals,” said Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz. “Raising awareness and interest in cybersecurity at the K-12 and postsecondary levels is crucial to meet the needs of businesses across Florida and create pathways for students to gain employment with a sustainable salary right after high school.”

Click here to view a complete list of each of the awards.

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25
Jul, 2022

By Riley Kaminer

This August, don’t miss this immersive crypto educational experience coming to Palm Beach

Read Time 3 Minutes

Crypto, blockchain, NFTs, the metaverse… there’s so much excitement in the web3 space these days that it’s hard to keep track of it all!

Fear not! On August 20th and 21st from 9am to 6pm, some of the most innovative entrepreneurs in crypto will descend upon the Palm Beach Convention Center for the Crypto Connect Expo.

The expo is designed to be family friendly, providing a packed roster of activities to keep people of all ages having fun. Across two days, over 60 experts will present on some of the hottest web3 topics. Key speakers include Crypto Megan, Bill Walsh, Jason Stone, Alyze Sam, and JC Irurzun.

Meanwhile, participants will also have the chance to explore a 50,000 square foot immersive experience. This includes a series of seven interactive zones such as an NFT gallery, a green living zone, and a real estate zone – as well as an NFT fashion area.

Education is also a major focus for the event. There will be a kids’ education zone and a kids’ NFT panel powered by NFT Kids Magazine. Other key educational companies included in the expo are STF Academy, Web3 Equity, and Mission Impact. 

The Crypto Connect Expo is partnering with South Florida Tech Hub to bring students, educators, and parents together to learn about web3 at no cost. Make sure to reach out to team@techhubsouthflorida.org to get your free student pass. 

A unique aspect of the Crypto Connect Expo is the Ask the Experts area, where attendees can ask crypto, blockchain, NFT experts any questions they have about the web3 space. 

Longtime Palm Beach event organizer Scott Roseman and Web3 consultant Michelle Joubert are spearheading the Crypto Connect Expo.

“Our goal is to help new Crypto, NFT, and Metaverse adopters gain confidence, knowledge, and a community to support them as they navigate through the web3 space,” Joubert told South Florida Tech Hub.

The idea for the event originally evolved from the crypto meetups and parties Roseman has thrown over the last few years. He noted that the community around crypto in Palm Beach has always been welcoming: “Everybody loves to help each other and wants to keep learning.”

Roseman hopes to carry that ethos through to this event. “Everyone is welcome,” he said. “We created topics that someone who has no clue about crypto can relate to.” That stands in stark contrast to many other events in the space, which Roseman asserted can tend to cover more advanced topics. 

South Florida Tech Hub CEO, Nikki Cabus, stated, “I’m so excited to see a web3 expo in Palm Beach County. The area has such a rich history of tech and the local proximity to Miami allows us to easily travel there for events, but Scott and his team are pushing the envelope by hosting an event of this caliber in Palm Beach County.”

Cabus continued, “He’s doing the unexpected and that’s what’s going to make this expo stand out. From a kids area, educational tracks, awesome speakers, celebrity guests, and both regional and national web3 experts, this will be one of a kind. South Florida Tech Hub is so proud to support these efforts.”

The Crypto Connect team has also brought together upwards of 75 local companies that are web3-adjacent. “If you’re a business that’s looking to get into the web3 space, this is for you,” said Roseman. “We’re not only going to help you get customers and bring you the right people for your business,” Roseman continued. “But we’re also going to place you near another successful person who can guide you to level up your business.”

 

What: 2 day expo addressing all things web3; Crypto, blockchain, NFTs, Metaverse, Decentralized finance, DAOs

When: August 20 & 21, 9am-6pm

Where: Palm Beach Convention Center

Who: Anyone of all ages interested in learning more about crypto and meeting like minded frens

How: Buy tickets by visiting CryptoConnectExpo.com (Use discount code SFT10 for 10% off your tickets!)

17
Jul, 2022

By Nikki Cabus

Palm Beach Gardens-based Accelus raises $12M to accelerate adoption of minimally invasive surgery

Read Time 3 Minutes

Palm Beach Gardens-based Accelus, a privately held medical technology company is focusing on accelerating the adoption of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) as the standard of care in spine. On July 12th, the company announced the closing of a $12 million lead investment in the company’s Series D equity financing by Concord Innovation Fund II, LP.

Proceeds from the financing will be used to drive further adoption and commercialization within the accelerating U.S. market opportunity that exists for Accelus’s highly differentiated product portfolio of spinal implant solutions, and specifically for robotic-enabled, minimally invasive techniques, in both hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers.

Joseph Swedish, CHP Co-Founder and Partner, has also been named to Accelus’s Board of Directors, and CEO and Co-Founder of Accelus, Christopher Walsh, stated, “We are thrilled to announce Joseph Swedish as a new member of our board and to cement our relationship with Concord Health Partners, which shares our enduring commitment to lowering costs and expanding access to quality healthcare.”

Walsh continued, “Joe’s proven ability to create massive value at the helm of both payors and providers, along with our current board’s device prowess, completes Accelus’s powerful trifecta in this space. We thank the team at Concord and look forward to deploying this and additional Series D capital to execute on our goal of accelerating the move to minimally invasive spine surgery.”

Accelus worked with Palm Beach County’s Business Development Board in 2020 to expand to the new Palm Beach Gardens headquarters. Although amidst a pandemic, Accelus reported strong growth for 2021 with $27.5 million in revenue, a 63% increase from 2020, primarily driven by the continued adoption and expansion of the company’s flagship FlareHawk® expandable interbody fusion devices and the first placements of the company’s Remi™ Robotic Navigation System.

“Following a strong close to 2021, our momentum has carried through the early parts of 2022 and positions us well to achieve our key strategic and operational objectives this year,” Walsh added.

The addition of Joseph Swedish to Accelus’s Board of Directors will allow Accelus to capitalize on his deep industry knowledge and broad network of relationships to help support the company’s strategic growth. With more than 45 years of healthcare leadership experience, Mr. Swedish has served as Chairman, President and CEO for Anthem, Inc.; President and CEO for Trinity Health; President and CEO for Centura Health; and as a Division President for Hospital Corporation of America (HCA). He currently serves on the board of directors for each of CDW Corporation and International Business Machines Corporation, and has previously served in various advisory and board positions with Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, the American Hospital Association, America’s Health Insurance Plans, and Catholic Health Association.

“Our investment in Accelus represents an exciting opportunity for Concord, as it is aligned with our goal of partnering with companies who are disruptors of the status quo and who are poised to enhance the overall value of care,” Swedish said.

“The use of MIS techniques in spinal fusion procedures remains underpenetrated and significant limitations exist for current spine surgery robotic systems. With a growing focus on shifting the standard of care to MIS, we believe Accelus offers key enabling technologies to address unmet clinical needs and are confident they are well-positioned to become a leading innovator in the spinal health market.”

Accelus was also recently awarded Sun Sentinel’s 2022 Top Places To Work. Accelus CEO, Chris Walsh, stated, “I am incredibly proud of the team, technology, and culture we have built at Accelus and know that it will only get stronger as we continue our growth trajectory in the coming years.”

17
Jul, 2022

By Riley Kaminer

Member Spotlight | TriNet

Read Time 3 Minutes

Business: TriNet provides businesses with HR solutions including payroll, benefits, risk management and compliance — all in one place. 

Founded: 1988

HQ: San Leandro, CA

Employees: 3,622 (as of 2019)

Website: TriNet.com

 

At a time when talent acquisition and retention are the most competitive they have been for years, having a strong human resources team is key for businesses of all sizes.

That can be easier said than done. But one publicly-traded company is helping make HR processes smarter, easier, and more streamlined – and it has a major presence in South Florida.

TriNet is a professional employer organization (PEO) that provides small and medium-size businesses with full-service HR solutions tailored by industry. To free SMBs from HR complexities, TriNet offers access to human capital expertise, benefits, risk mitigation and compliance, payroll and real-time technology. From Main Street to Wall Street, TriNet empowers SMBs to focus on what matters most—growing their business.

TriNet is on a mission to power the success of small and medium-sized businesses by supporting their growth and enabling their people. The company prides itself in working together with their clients to bring long-term value. That spirit is shown clearly in the company’s core values, which include: lead with the customer, act with integrity, and make an impact.

With origins in the Silicon Valley ecosystem, TriNet now has upwards of 16,000 clients from around the world. The company also has a variety of accreditations, including PEO certification from the IRS.

When it comes to innovation, TriNet has always been at the forefront. They were the first in the PEO space to launch an app. TriNet also was the first to serve clients with a variety of different products. For instance, they have an immigration tool for employers to ensure compliance when managing foreign employees. This feature has been critical for technology companies, which increasingly work across borders.

TriNet solves a wide range of HR needs, such as leadership training, expertise on sensitive issues, talent management, and compensation guidance. They offer headache-free payroll to enable their clients to manage payroll and tax codes with one simple solution. 

TriNet helps its customers attract and retain high-level talent, providing access to top quality benefits. This enables even smaller companies to access the benefits usually reserved for the biggest organizations. 

All along the HR journey, TriNet prioritizes risk mitigation and up to date compliance. That way, its customers can rest easier knowing that their employment-related compliance concerns are addressed.

TriNet’s all in one platform makes it easy to manage all HR-related tasks through a cutting-edge user interface that works just as well on mobile as it does on desktop. Their integration center empowers clients to use TriNet’s pre-built integrations and APIs to unify their data to drive productivity and make informed decisions. And TriNet’s analytics offerings enable clients to turn their business data into analytics, generating reports with just a few clicks.

Are you interested in learning more about what TriNet can do for your business? Get in touch with their South Florida-based Senior Sales Consultant, Maria Vargas via email: Maria.Vargas@trinet.com.

11
Jul, 2022

By Nikki Cabus

Verizon’s Community Partnership Chat with Palm Beach-Based Startup Imanyco

Read Time 2 Minutes

Verizon’s Director of Local Engagement, State & Local Government Affairs, Merdochey LaFrance, sat down with Saïda Florexil, founder of Imanyco, a company that created a real-time transcription technology called Comunify that assists deaf and hard-of-hearing people during in-person group conversations. Their conversation touches on Imanyco’s participation in Verizon’s Forward for Good Accelerator.

Verizon’s Forward for Good Accelerator is part of Citizen Verizon, their business plan for economic, environmental, and social advancement to help move the world forward for all. Verizon is on a mission to leave the world better than we found it by accelerating emerging solutions using 5G, MEC, Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, & Extended Reality.

The current cohort’s focus is on Disability Innovation. Working with the disability community, Verizon is unlocking more than access, but advancing new technology to unlock opportunity for everyone. Verizon is working with startups who “authentically integrate people with disabilities into executive leadership roles, and have validated their solutions within the disability community” which is why Imanyco was a perfect fit for the current cohort as they work to support the deaf and hard of hearing community.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 26% or 61 million Americans live with with a disability. Just to be clear, that’s 1 in 4 people. Additionally, 5.9 percent of people with a disability are deaf or have serious difficulty hearing and the percentage of people living with disabilities is higher in the south.

As a deaf person herself, Saida understands what’s it’s like to not be able to fully be a part of a group conversation. Although she reads lips and body language very well, this is only helpful when communicating with a single person. Once in a group setting you can’t pay attention to multiple people, distinguish who is saying what and when, and often miss the majority of the conversation.

Comunify aims to be the most convenient live transcription app for the deaf and hard of hearing community that quickly and reliably identifies multiple speakers in a group conversation to allow each person to be better engaged and involved when others are speaking to them.

“While working with Verizon we were able to launch a testing program for our app and collect feedback from a diverse group of people. Verizon helped us to improve our product quality in terms of functionality, accessibility, and user experience and also helped us solidify a growth strategy,” said Saida. “As a company and as an entrepreneur, receiving support from a company such as Verizon opens up new opportunities.”

Check out the full conversation here to learn more about Verizon’s Forward for Good Accelerator and Communify by Imanyco.

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11
Jul, 2022

By Nikki Cabus

Babcox Media Acquires Lifestyle Media Group and South Florida Business & Wealth

Read Time 3 Minutes

Babcox Media, the nation’s premier provider of innovative business-to-business content and services for the transportation industry, has expanded its national portfolio with the acquisition of Lifestyle Media Group and its award-winning roster of lifestyle and business brands in the South Florida and Tampa Bay markets.

The acquisition—which includes Lifestyle Media Group’s esteemed business magazines (South Florida Business & Wealth and Tampa Bay Business & Wealth) as well as its seven Lifestyle titles (serving affluent communities from south Palm Beach County to Miami)—further adds to Babcox Media’s rich publishing legacy, one that dates back to 1920.

Greg Cira, president of the Akron, Ohio-based company renowned for its dynamic multimedia content development, described the Florida markets served by Lifestyle Media Group as ideal for investment in growth and expansion

“We are thrilled to welcome the LMG staff to Babcox Media,” Cira said. “We have a tremendous amount of respect for these leading lifestyle and business brands. We’re excited to work alongside the LMG team.”

Gary Press, CEO of Lifestyle Media Group for the past 10 years, called Babcox the perfect company for building on the LMG foundation.

“Babcox has the products, services and digital capabilities to take LMG and its all-star team of creatives, administrators and salespeople to another level,” said Press, who will serve in an advisory capacity moving forward. “Better still, their culture, their passion, their vision—it all aligns with the LMG philosophy. The future couldn’t be brighter for our team—as well as for our existing and future clients.”

At Tampa Bay Business & Wealth, Bridgette Bello, CEO and publisher, and Jason Baker, president, will retain their equity ownership positions. Bello and Baker, who debuted TBBW in 2018, have a combined 50-plus years of media experience. Bello shared in the excitement regarding Babcox’s national presence and the expanded capabilities it brings to TBBW’s advertisers, readers and sponsors.

“Babcox will truly take us to the next level,” she said. “We look forward to better serving our exclusive, C-Suite ecosystem in Tampa Bay through the brilliance that Babcox brings to the equation.”

“I came to South I Florida just over a year ago because Mr. Gary Press convinced me it was the place to be,” wrote Kimberly Sarni, Managing Director at South Florida Business and Wealth. “With Gary’s leadership, heart compassion, and most of all his willingness to be a risk taker – we’ve seen tremendous growth within South Florida Business & Wealth and Lifestyle Media Group, LLC.”

Sarni continued, “Today, we don’t say goodbye- but thank you and happy retirement. I am glad to say the Babcox Media team has won us over, captured our hearts, and the essence of what we’ve been doing. We are proud to stand as strong members of #lmg Lifestyle Media Group and with our parent company Babcox Media. Thank you Gary, for your passion in media and advertising. We love you and will miss you.”

Gary responded with “Thanks everyone. But I am not retiring. I still have two businesses left” so I’m sure we’ll still see Mr. Press around South Florida.

 

About Babcox Media

Babcox Media (Babcox.com), founded in 1920 by Akron, Ohio native Edward S. Babcox (third generation owner Bill Babcox has been the company’s CEO since 1990), is the leading business to-business, multimedia content provider for the transportation industry. The company’s portfolio includes highly respected and influential brands within the auto care, tire, performance, collision, commercial trucking, auto dealer, powersports and enthusiast markets. Babcox continues to distinguish itself with an array of offerings for its readership and clients— from advanced audience targeting to social media campaign management to digital services including videos, livestreams, webinars and podcasts.

About Lifestyle Media Group

Award-winning Lifestyle Media Group, one of the state’s largest magazine publishers, boasts 10 titles in its portfolio. South Florida Business & Wealth serves Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties with an inspired mix of business and luxury lifestyle content. Tampa Bay Business & Wealth is the leading provider and trusted resource for business leaders affecting change in the Tampa Bay region. Among the seven titles of Lifestyle magazine—which has the largest combined distribution in South Florida—is Las Olas Lifestyle, honored in 2018 and 2019 by the Florida Magazine Association in the category of Best Overall Magazine in the state. LMG also publishes the South Florida Legal Guide.

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11
Jul, 2022

By Riley Kaminer

Member Spotlight | StevenDouglas

Read Time 3 Minutes

Business: One of the nation’s leading boutique Search and Interim Resources firms, is a recognized leader in identifying and providing access to top talent for clients. Their client base is industry agnostic and ranges from start-ups and emerging middle-market to Fortune 500 companies and private equity firms. 

Founded: 1984

HQ: Fort Lauderdale

Website: StevenDouglas.com

 

Navigating today’s hiring landscape can be tricky. An all-time high number of job postings combined with increasing macroeconomic uncertainty makes the hiring process difficult for employers and employees alike.

Fort Lauderdale-based recruiting firm StevenDouglas can help. They act as trusted advisors, equipping their clients and candidates with the necessary tools for success. StevenDouglas takes a long-term perspective, focusing on forging long lasting partnerships in the industry.

Adriana Duque is Director of Client Services at StevenDouglas. In this role, she helps StevenDouglas’s tech clients fill a wide range of roles – from software engineering and UI/UX to business analytics and AI.

“The talent market is very tight right now,” she told South Florida Tech Hub. “Because of the prominence of remote working, the South Florida tech community is no longer competing just with other local organizations – but with organizations nationwide.” 

That said, Duque noted that the remote work revolution has also led to more talent and more tech companies moving to South Florida. She also expressed excitement about the influx of talent from bootcamps and graduates with tech-focused degrees. “It’s going to take a while to impact the talent market though,” she acknowledged.

Another major issue: compensation. “I believe that South Florida hasn’t caught up to the increase in salaries we see from companies from New York, for example,” she noted. 

But Duque urges firms to provide other benefits to lure top talent, such as remote working. “It’s a candidate-driven market right now,” she explained. “And when I talk to talent, they tell me that they don’t mind going into the office once or twice a week, but really they want to be primarily remote.”

As native South Floridian who has been recruiting in this market for over 20 years, Duque is passionate about helping lift up our local tech ecosystem. “South Florida Tech Hub has really been driving the mission of establishing South Florida as a top location for technology,” she asserted.

“My take is that if you build it, they will come,” Duque continued. “So we’re building it and companies are clearly starting to come.”

Duque also shared some key tips for tech employees looking for their next role. Top of the list: building a relationship with recruiters. “It’s all about timing. If you build a relationship with a recruiter and keep them posted on your job search, they’ll let you know as soon as there is a relevant opening.”

She also urges job seekers to do their homework. “It’s really important to do research. Don’t just send your resume through a website. Look into who the hiring manager is and send a message directly to them. It goes a long way.”

“Looking for a job is a full-time job,” she said. “The more effort you put into it, and the more you apply to jobs, the more likely you are to get another job.”

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26
Jun, 2022

By Nikki Cabus

Broward-based minority-owned businesses receive $10k grants from Fiserv

Read Time 3 Minutes

Two Broward-based minority-owned businesses were awarded $10k grants from Fiserv at this year’s 2nd Annual EmpowerHER event held at the Nova Southeastern University Davie campus. The effort is part of Fiserv’s Back2Business Program.

Fiserv’s Back2Business program is a $50 million initiative to provide financial grants, community support and critical resources, including complimentary consulting and leading technology solutions such as the Clover® point-of-sale platform, to minority-owned small businesses.

Eligible businesses may use the grant funds to assist with payroll, rent or lease payments, technology or equipment purchases, or premise redesign.

This year’s grant recipients were two black-owned and woman-owned healthcare businesses based in Broward County: Cornerstone Medical Group Inc. and the Preventative Health & Wellness Center.

Cornerstone Medical Group Inc is lead by Dr. Sabine Delinois Elisee, a Board-Certified Family Medicine Physician who is fellowship-trained in Hospice Palliative care and holds a Master’s degree in Public Health. Just prior to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, in the Fall of 2019, Cornerstone Medical Group opened its doors in the city of Coral Springs, FL

Born and raised in South Florida, Dr. Elisee is vested in the community and actively participates in outreach events. The heart behind Cornerstone Medical Group is to Transform Healthcare through Patient Education and the Reconnection of Physical Spiritual and Cognitive Health to enhance Quality of Life. It was fitting for Dr. Elisee to receive the grant at this event being her Alma Mata is Nova Southeastern University College of Medicine.

Preventative Health & Wellness Center is lead by Atou Diarra, a nurse practitioner with over 17 years of nursing experience with a true passion for health and fitness, disease prevention and improving overall health. The center recently opened it’s doors in Coral Springs, FL.

Originally born and raised in Marseille, France, Atou moved to the U.S. in 2000. She attended Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA where she graduated in 2004 with a degree in Bachelor of Nursing Science. As a traveling nurse she found her way to South Florida, which she is now proud to call her home. In 2013, she earned her Master’s degree as a family nurse practitioner from Barry University in Miami, Florida.

The EmpowerHER event included guest speakers from Fiserv, a panel discussion with South Florida Tech Hub CEO, Nikki Cabus, Executive Director of Environmental Health and Safety at Nova Southeastern University, Beth Welmaker, and Moderator and VP of Business Development & Strategy at Fiserv Corporate Social Responsibility, Shane Caldwell.

Partner organizations included Clover, Coral Springs Coconut Creek Regional Chamber, Nova Southeastern University’s Alvin Sherman Library, Research, and Information Technology Center, Nova Southeastern College of Computing & Engineering, South Florida Tech Hub, and Broward County Black Chamber of Commerce.

Fiserv, Inc. (NASDAQ: FISV) is a leading global technology provider serving the financial services industry, driving innovation in payments, processing services, risk and compliance, customer and channel management, and business insights and optimization. For more information, visit www.fiserv.com.

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