South Florida Tech HubSouth Florida Tech Hub
07
Sep, 2021

By Riley Kaminer

Member Spotlight | Improving

Read Time 3 Minutes

Mission: To develop innovative IT solutions and processes to help their clients realize tactical and strategic business objectives. 

Launched: 2007

HQ: Dallas

FTEs: 1,200

Website: Improving.com

If nothing else, the pandemic has underscored the crucial importance for businesses to be forward-thinking in their approach to IT. Consulting firm Improving understands these struggles, and works to help clients use technology to catalyze the growth of their business.

Primarily, Improving’s services are focused around consulting – everything from digital transformation projects to business analytics and intelligence. The company also provides application development services such as web, cloud, and mobile development. 

Additionally, Improving has an active training and coaching business. They are the largest provider of training for Scrum.org in North America. While many businesses engage Improving to help train their staff, individuals can join these virtual classes as well. (You can check out all the classes Improving offers on their website.)

The majority of Improving’s client base consists of mid-market to larger companies. They work with companies across a variety of sectors, including transport, financial services, and energy. Each client engagement looks different. Sometimes, Improving deploys an entire team to work on a project, and other times they send in experts to augment an existing team.

Kristin Johnson is VP of Marketing at Improving. She has been at the firm for almost ten years and has seen it expand from 150 people to more than 1,200 employees (or “Improvers,” as they are known internally) across the US, Mexico, and Canada. 

Johnson reported that the company had a small dip in business in the middle of 2020 due to the pandemic. Some Improvers even volunteered to reduce their salary temporarily, to help the company’s cash-flow (they have now all been paid back “and then some,” said Johnson). However, she asserted that the company has seen significant growth: “It’s truly a testament to the dedication that all of our Improvers have been putting forth.” 

“I’ve loved working with Improving,” she told Tech Hub South Florida. Johnson highlighted Improving’s company culture as one of the aspects she values most about the company: “A good company culture is not something to take for granted.”

Improving’s values are excellence, involvement, and dedication. This helps fulfill the company’s ambition, in Johnson’s words, “to change the perception of the IT professional.” She continued: “Truly building trust with one another, as well as our customers, is huge. And we’re deeply rooted in our commitment to establishing that trust.”

Part of this mission is rooted in the ideas of conscious capitalism, a non-profit movement followed by companies like Whole Foods and the Container Store. “Conscious Capitalism has four pillars,” Johnson explained, “purpose, stakeholder orientation, culture, and leadership.”

Johnson is involved in her local Conscious Capitalism branch, and sees it as a way to validate a lot of the values that she said Improving was already living.

Community is important to Improving. “We are passionate supporters of communities,” Johnson said. When able, Improving provides space, food, and drinks free of charge to organizations like user groups and meetups. “It’s our way of giving back.”

Learn more about Improving by visiting their website.

,
30
Aug, 2021

By Riley Kaminer

Member Spotlight | Lexima

Read Time 3 Minutes

Mission: Modern-day digital software agency that helps companies differentiate themselves from their competitors through technology and eCommerce.

Launched: 2020

HQ: West Palm Beach

FTEs: 12

Website: Lexima.io

The best websites on the internet glide like a luxury sports car. The user experience is seamless. Pages load quickly. Links work. Yet under this peaceful, put-together exterior is the force of one of the world’s most powerful engines, tying technologies together to drive visibility and revenue.

Lancy Lexima is the mechanic that makes impactful web experiences possible. His agency, Lexima, helps businesses in South Florida and beyond harness the power of the most tech-forward digital solutions, all while creating a web browsing experience that keeps customers coming back for more.

“Lexima specializes in both standard website development as well as app development,” Lancey told Tech Hub South Florida. eCommerce forms a large part of their business. “We have quite a few Shopify clients,” Lancey said, noting that companies of all shapes and sizes are using that platform.

Why work with Lexima? The agency is made up of about a dozen industry veterans that know what they’re doing. “We are truly experts,” he said, noting that the company’s team members specialize in everything from quality assurance to general software development and Shopify development. In fact, Lexima has been vetted by Shopify to become one of their best-in-class Shopify Plus Partners.

“When you hire Lexima, you’re hiring experts. You’re hiring a team that acts as a partner, rather than someone who is just a service provider,” explained Lancey. That stands in stark contrast to some online freelancing platforms that promise the moon but offer half-baked, cookie-cutter solutions.

Lancey founded Lexima in January 2020 as an outgrowth of his freelancing business. He has worked as a software engineer for the last ten years at a variety of companies, including Boca Raton-based apparel company 4Ocean, who to this day remains a client of Lexima. Another notable client of Lexima is ByHeart Cluster, a social media platform for parents.

“Starting my own business was a pretty natural switchover,” Lancey said, because he had always taken on some projects on the side. The main difference for him has been administrative: “There was a learning curve for resource planning – managing my budget and deciding when to hire people. Client acquisition was also something I have learned over time.”

In the next few months, Lancey plans to launch Lexima’s first SaaS product. The exact offering is still top-secret, but Lancey signaled that it will be a Shopify app related to theme management.

Based in West Palm Beach, Lancey is bullish on the South Florida tech scene. “I see a lot of companies coming to South Florida,” he noted. 

Lancey is particularly excited about the growth of our local tech community on a person-to-person, business-to-business level: “Being able to pick someone else’s brain and talk about tech is great.”

He continued: “South Florida Tech is definitely growing and I definitely want to be a part of it. That’s why I’m involved with Tech Hub South Florida.”

Learn more about Lexima and the services they provide by visiting their website.

23
Aug, 2021

By Riley Kaminer

Member Spotlight | Stark Weber PLLC

Read Time 3 Minutes

Mission: Provide affordable, high-quality legal services to startups and technology companies in South Florida and beyond.

Launched: 2018

Office Locations: Boca Raton and Miami

Number of attorneys: 5

Website: StarkWeber.com

 

From developing a minimum viable product to finding customers and keeping afloat financially, founders have a lot on their plate when starting a new venture. Legal compliance might be one of the lowest priorities on founders’ to-do lists. However, Jared Stark of Boca Raton- and Miami-based law firm Stark Weber underscores the importance for startups to have their legal house in order from day one.

Stark told Tech Hub South Florida that one of the biggest mistakes early stage companies make is not securing trademarks. “It is very important to trademark the important elements of a brand as early as they can,” he said. If not, “you run the risk of encountering a serious problem later on that could require you to rebrand or otherwise create a lot of potential liability.”

He continued: “The entire application process can oftentimes take over a year, so it’s something you want to get in the works as early as possible.” Stark suggests that companies meet with a trademark attorney at the same time they are looking to form a company.

Contracts are also key, according to Stark: “It is important to make sure that you are documenting everything with good contracts and building a good base of contracts in the beginning.” These include everything from non-disclosure agreements to employer-employee contracts and master service agreements. “Having those in place ensures that you minimize your liability exposure in the future,” said Stark.

Funding is another critical milestone in a startup’s growth trajectory that is laden with potential legal pitfalls. Stark suggests working with a lawyer from the very beginning of any sort of financial transaction. “The reason for that is the securities laws are very complex, and it’s very easy to accidentally run afoul of either state or federal securities law when you begin talking to investors,” he explained. “It’s important to work with a securities lawyer who really understands that area and understands what you’re trying to do, so you can put everything in place and go out on the right foot.”

Through their offices in Boca Raton and Miami, Stark Weber helps clients avoid these very issues. Stark grew up in South Florida and attended Florida Atlantic University (FAU) for his undergraduate degree before studying law at Georgetown University. After a stint at one of the world’s biggest law firms, Stark returned to South Florida. He spent a few years as in-house counsel for a real estate developer before starting his own practice and eventually partnering with litigator Steven Douglas Weber. 

On top of his involvement with Tech Hub South Florida, Stark has also been involved with FAU’s alumni board. “I do whatever I can to try and make the South Florida Tech and entrepreneurial ecosystem a little bit stronger,” he said. “I think that it is such an exciting time to be an entrepreneur, or to work in the technology space, in South Florida.”

,
20
Aug, 2021

By Riley Kaminer

Inc. 5000 spotlights 13 high growth Tech Hub South Florida members 

Read Time 3 Minutes

13 members of Tech Hub South Florida appear on this year’s edition of the Inc. 5000, a list of the fastest-growing private companies in the US.

369 of the companies on this list are based in Florida, with 142 located in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties. In our region, 38 of the companies listed are active in the tech industry. Two of these companies were founded over the past year, and 20 are repeat honorees.

The median yearly growth of these companies was 178%, total revenue was $1.2 billion, and they cumulatively added 1,762 new jobs over the last year. These figures would be impressive any year, but are particularly so considering the economic uncertainty and volatility brought on by the pandemic.

Tequesta-based wealth management firm Cary Stamp & Co. landed on Inc.’s list for the first time this year. As a Tech Hub South Florida member, the company has been very active in promoting our region as a vibrant center for innovation. Cary Stamp, the firm’s founder and CEO, said that “It’s truly gratifying to be recognized by Inc.,” and noted that the award “is the result of a tremendous amount of focus and effort from our team members.”

This year marks Digital Resource’s fourth time on the Inc. 5000 list. The downtown West Palm Beach-based internet marketing agency is led by 29-year-old founder and President Shay Berman. He expressed excitement about the award, especially within the context of such a difficult year: “I couldn’t be more proud of us to have grown through what will hands down be our hardest year as a company. It’s a testament to the perseverance and resilience of our young team. It’s what makes us, as we say, the ‘DReam Team.”

Tech Hub South Florida member PeakActivity made the Inc. 5000 for the second straight year. CEO Manish Hirapara credits the work of his team as the key to the company’s continued growth: “This honor is a direct result of the talents and dedication possessed by our amazing team of Peaksters. Regardless of role, tenure, or location, every one of our team members has played a part in us receiving this accolade.” The digital strategy and implementation company recently launched RevCommerce, a highly customizable eCommerce platform.

Alan Shimel, CEO and founder of Tech Hub South Florida member company MediaOps and co-founder professional member association the DevOps Institute, has double the reason to celebrate. Both of these companies made it onto the Inc. 5000. Shimel said that the teams “are excited to continue this upward trajectory in 2021 and beyond.”

Dedicated IT, a Tech Hub member headquartered in Lake Park, landed at #3000 on the Inc. List for its work solving its clients trickiest IT needs.

The SilverLogic, based in Boca Raton, also made the Inc. 5000 list. This Tech Hub South Florida member helps businesses develop software to improve operational efficiency, saving time and money.

And don’t forget about Broward! Fort Lauderdale-based Tech Hub member CloudHesive made it onto Inc.’s list as well. The company gives businesses a hand in developing their cloud strategy.

Meet all the Tech Hub South Florida members who were featured in this year’s Inc. 5000.

 

16
Aug, 2021

By Riley Kaminer

CITY Furniture Celebrates 50th Anniversary

Read Time 3 Minutes

Tamarac-based furniture retailer and Tech Hub South Florida member CITY Furniture is celebrating its 50th year of operations.

Founded as Waterbed City in 1971, CITY Furniture has always prided itself on providing consumers with high quality furniture at the best price. The company now has more than 30 locations across Florida, in addition to a robust e-commerce business.

“Working with my late brother and now my son and son in law, along with over 2,500 dedicated City Furniture associates, many of whom are like family to me, for so many years has been a joy and an honor,” co-founder and CEO Keith Koenig told Tech Hub South Florida.

He continued: “What we have accomplished, starting from a little waterbed store to now having beautiful furniture stores across Florida has been a true blessing.”

Andrew Koenig, Keith’s son and President of CITY Furniture, echoed his father’s sentiments, saying that he is “proud of [their] humble beginnings” that ultimately led CITY Furniture to become “Florida’s number one furniture retailer.”

“I look forward to celebrating our amazing past and history, especially with all of our veterans who have worked with us for 20, 30, and 40 years,” Andrew said. The company has planned in-person celebrations for early 2022.

What might be the origin of CITY’s continued success in this competitive industry? On top of CITY’s focus on customers, it also prioritizes creating a positive environment for associates. “We want to be the number one employer of choice,” said Andrew. “We pride ourselves in taking care of our customers and associates.”

The company is also very active in the community. It has pledged to donate 5% of its annual profits to a diverse range of impactful local organizations including Covenant House Florida, the American Heart Association, and Junior Achievement of South Florida. 

This emphasis on community stretches beyond our borders. CITY Furniture’s 2040 Green Promise underscores the company’s commitment to become carbon neutral within the next two decades. 

Andrew also noted CITY Furniture’s focus on technology. “We were tech forward from the start,” he said, noting that his late uncle, co-founder Kevin Charles Koenig, purchased an early computer from IBM.

“We’ve seen major success building our own tech department,” Andrew said. “They’ve done amazing work, making all of our jobs better, faster, easier, and safer. You’re going to continue to see us invest in this awesome, very diverse group of people.”

Crediting CITY’s tech team as helping them pivot during the pandemic, Andrew noted that the team has grown more than 50% over the last couple of years in all areas – from e-commerce to data analytics and cybersecurity.

Despite decades of successes, CITY Furniture is not resting on its laurels. Andrew explained that the team is laser-focused on what the next half a century has in store for the company and has set an ambitious goal: “We want to become the number one home furnishing retailer in the US.”

To learn more about CITY Furniture, visit their website. Interested in joining the CITY Furniture team? Check out the open positions on their careers page.

,
04
Aug, 2021

By Nikki Cabus

Glades Capital Announces Launch of Its First Fund

Read Time 3 Minutes

Glades Capital announced the launch of its first fund, aimed at investing in early-stage tech startups in the South Florida ecosystem. Glades Capital seeks to deploy seed-stage investments of $50,000 to $250,000, with resources available for subsequent rounds. The firm was founded by Jim Ryan, a Florida-based entrepreneur and startup veteran who has provided capital investments and strategic guidance for regional companies over the last decade.

“Our mission is to partner with extraordinary and innovative startups to build successful businesses and contribute to our South Florida regional economy,” Ryan explained.

Ryan is the founder of OutPLEX, an international company with more than 2,000 employees specializing in digital transformation at enterprise scale. He has been an investor with Miami Angels and Florida Funders, as well as an advisor to regional university startup accelerators. These include programs at Florida Atlantic University, Florida International University, Nova Southeastern University, and Broward College. He was selected by the American Academy of Entrepreneurs and GrowFL to support Florida-based companies as a mentor. Ryan also received the American Dreamer Award in 2019 and was the keynote speaker for South Florida’s annual Entrepreneur Summit. He is a co-founder and board member of the Venture Mentoring Team. This not-for-profit organization works to train and certify executives as mentors, then matches them with promising entrepreneurs to provide ongoing guidance.

Complementing Jim on the firm’s leadership team is Managing Director Declan Ryan. Declan holds an MBA from Simon Business School at the University of Rochester. There, he served as President of Simon Entrepreneurs Association and graduated as a member of Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society, working with several early-stage companies along the way. The Glades Capital team brings a wealth of knowledge and proven track records of helping companies achieve operational traction and further capitalization.

Commenting on the announcement, Jim Ryan said, “We’re excited to launch Glades Capital with a differentiated investment thesis for the region. We aim to put together a diversified portfolio of seed-stage startups, targeting between six to twelve investments over the next three years. My experiences helping startups for the past ten years have helped us build deep personal networks for exceptional deal flow. Our methods are designed to empower startups in the rapidly growing South Florida economy, and we intend to leverage our network and expertise to positively impact the region’s startup ecosystem.”

South Florida has grown to global prominence as a key market for tech entrepreneurship. Jim Ryan has worked hands-on with some of the most recognized startups in the area as an investor or mentor. The rapid growth in startup ventures has outpaced institutional capital in the region, and there is a market need for local early-round funders who can add value with operational expertise. Glades Capital’s combination of funding and mentorship will help regional startups navigate the challenges that face early-stage founders.

“With Glades Capital, we have the advantage of using our unique experiences to do something radically different,” said Ryan. “We are serving a very undersupplied start-up community in South Florida that requires early capital to help launch their businesses. We can provide the right level of support to the founders that we partner with. Investment is just the first step. Beyond that, our founders can expect guidance and support from experienced practitioners around the world and access to a unique network of operators, mentors, and capital resources.” 

Ryan continues, “Why Glades? We’re headquartered in Parkland, where our backyard is the Everglades. This natural wonder is a perfect analogy for the startup ecosystem. There is so much beauty in the Everglades, but also danger. There are channels to navigate safe passage through the treacherous waters. Similarly, early-stage companies have boundless possibilities. But a wrong turn or a poor decision can take a startup underwater. Sharing experiences and best practices is our value add, helping the entrepreneurs we invest with to chart the best course for their companies.”

 

Entrepreneurs interested in applying for funding should inquire online at glades.capital/apply.

 

About Glades Capital

Glades Capital LLC is a venture capital firm based in Parkland, Florida. Their mission is to invest in early-stage tech and tech-enabled startups in the South Florida region. Glades Capital helps firms in its portfolio navigate to success by providing deep expertise in growth, marketing, fundraising, connectivity, and operations. For more information, visit glades.capital.

02
Aug, 2021

By Nikki Cabus

Tech takes over at this year’s Magic City Cup soccer tournament

Read Time 3 Minutes

Up until now, the Magic City Cup has been a 2-day soccer event that celebrates cultures from around the world with a World Cup-like tournament that awarded a $10,000 grand cash prize for soccer tournament winners. Attendees were invited to ‘experience a taste of diverse cultures from around the world while cheering on your favorite team.’ 2021 was a tad different.

 

With all the buzz round South Florida’s tech, startup, and innovation ecosystem, Tech Hub South Florida approached Reese Whitely, Magic City Cup organizer and Certified Athletic Trainer/Strength Coach at Complex Health & Wellness in Miami, about highlighting sportstech and startups within the region. . . and he agreed!

He brought in partners such as Tech Hub South Florida, CIC Miami, The Shrimp Society, Boca Code, Soccercito Miami and other local sponsors and organizations to help put on an event that would attract soccer fans, technologists, startup founders, and investors.

 

 

“Sports tech needed to be highlighted and brought in full, knowing that the future is now. We as humans constantly evolve maneuver and create avenues to continue to pursue greatness. In the realm of sports, innovation is key to success. The more data, the more you can analyze, the more you can analyze the better off you are in implementing what’s needed to become better,” said Whitely

PANEL DISCUSSION

This year’s event consisted of an elite sportstech panel discussion about advancements in technology throughout the sports world and featured panelists Matthew Jafarian, VP of Business Strategy at Miami Heat; Nolan Caroll, NFL Star and Founder of the Nolan Carroll Foundation which supports STEM education opportunities, job skill training and promotes and encourages physical activities for underprivileged and at-risk youths. The panel was moderated by Asriele Stubbs, Operations Manager at Mana Tech.

“PITCH ON THE PITCH”

Five local sportstech startups did a 10-min pitch + Q/A on the main stage to a panel of high-profile professionals and venture capital investor judges such as Jeff Ransdell, Managing Director and Founding Partner at Fuel Venture Capital Partners, Michael Burtov, Author of The Evergreen Startup, the leading book on alternative startup fundraising, and Brian Chappon, scrappy social entrepreneur and Founder & CEO at CENTRED. The startups included were FitFones, Gemini Sports Analytics, Spectal, TicketRev and Kemtai.

One of the major highlights of the event was local startup and coding school, Boca Code. They had a booth with VR headset and leaderboard where the competition got tough at times. But, that wasn’t the best part. Boca Code students built the event app themselves and one of them, Jarue Johnson, had the chance to tell the audience a little about his experience. I’m sure Founder and Lead Instructor, Todd Albert, was quite proud.

 

“The Magic City Cup was an incredible opportunity for Boca Code as a young company to connect with a huge community of athletes, artists, and people interested in technology, many of whom hadn’t been aware of what we offer. The exposure we got from this event wouldn’t have been possible without the help of Tech Hub,” said Albert.

Kicked off with a keynote by Mayor Francis Suarez himself and closed out with the #MiamiTechHappy Hour, sponsored by Hunt Club, the event was a success full of soccer, technology, startups, food and music, and, of course, highlighting the beautiful culture and people of South Florida!

📷 Want to see some photos from the event? Click here.

 

26
Jul, 2021

By Riley Kaminer

Member Spotlight | YES Institute

Read Time 3 Minutes

Mission: Prevent suicide and ensure the healthy development of all youth through powerful communication and education on gender and orientation.

Launched: 1996

HQ: Miami

Website: YesInstitute.org

 

The Miami-based, non-profit YES Institute is on a mission to make the world a more inclusive place, free of youth suicide, violence, and discrimination.

When Executive Director Joseph Zolobczuk was growing up in western New York, he experienced anti-gay bullying, including before he himself was sure of his orientation. “I moved to Miami when I was 18 and sought out YES Institute for support to help me come out to my family,” Zolobczuk told Tech Hub South Florida.

Ever since he used YES Institute’s services, Zolobczuk has given back to the organization. He initially worked as a volunteer, then as an intern, before eventually taking helm of the organization in March 2019.

YES Institute provides a range of resources to the South Florida community, all having to do with diversity and inclusion on the topics of gender and orientation. The Institute puts a particular emphasis on young peoples’ lived experiences.

Umut Dursun, YES Institute’s Executive Director of Education, explained that they “courageously encourage everyone to share authentically about their experiences” with gender and orientation. In his estimation, the process of dialogue and sharing helps to eliminate “the shame and the stigma around these topics.” 

But combatting this stigma can be an uphill battle. Dursun shared his experience transitioning from female to male after his service in the Marines, and then working as a teacher in Miami-Dade County’s public schools. “I had to deal with my own identity: do I be out and visible, which is who I am and what I’m committed to, so I can be that role model for youth and others? But also by being visible, what does that mean for my career and my trajectory and my livelihood.”

YES Institute offers bilingual English-Spanish training sessions to a wide range of corporations, including an international insurance company, a major record label, and regional healthcare systems. Zolobczuk explained that these sessions “allow us to help employees make it a more inclusive environment when it comes to gender and orientation, but also other diversity topics like racial and ethnic background and women in the workplace.” The courses also enable YES Institute to reach the parents of young people who might be grappling with some of these difficult questions about their identity.

Zolobczuk said that offering these kinds of workshops are crucial for businesses in 2021. “If you don’t have a safe workplace, you don’t have a workplace,” he said. Dursun added, “Candidates are looking for companies that are committing to inclusion, not just ticking boxes.” He explained that in today’s competitive talent market, a lack of focus on diversity and inclusion can make you lose out on top talent, ultimately affecting your business’s bottom line.

2021 marks the 25th year of operations for the YES Institute. “It means something for any company to get to 25 years. I think it’s especially impressive for a nonprofit to get to 25 years,” said Zolobczuk. “It’s very special that I got to see the birth and inception of YES Institute and now see where we are today.”

YES Institute has been involved in various initiatives at Tech Hub South Florida, including its coffee talks. The non-profit has a presence in Palm Beach and Martin Counties, and is interested in working with organizations all around South Florida. Learn more by visiting their website, YESinstitute.org.

, ,
19
Jul, 2021

By Riley Kaminer

Tech Hub South Florida as a career launchpad

Read Time 3 Minutes

Monica Rojas discusses her plans to continue building South Florida tech ecosystem

Tech Hub South Florida prides itself on launching the careers of South Floridians, and providing young innovators with exposure to some of our region’s most prominent companies. 

Monica Rojas, Tech Hub South Florida’s Community & Startups Manager, recently announced that she will be joining professional networking platform Upstream as a community operations manager.

Monica’s Tech Hub journey started in 2015, when she worked as an intern. She then came back to the organization on a part-time basis in 2019, before joining the team full-time in 2020.

“I have really enjoyed my time at Tech Hub South Florida,” Monica said. “The organization’s growth has been pretty incredible,” underscoring Tech Hub South Florida’s 120% growth in 2020. 

Reflecting on her time at Tech Hub, Monica said that she is most proud of the work she has done to help South Florida startups flourish: “It has been priceless to see our startup partners grow from just an idea to a whole company with employees and customers.”

Since Monica has been involved with Tech Hub, the organization has undertaken a variety of initiatives to grow our region’s tech community. Most notably, Tech Hub has developed nine different peer groups, where industry experts across verticals can come together to share best practices and support each other – all while continuing to develop the local ecosystem.

At Upstream, Monica plans to continue working to build South Florida’s tech hub. “Tech Hub and Upstream have a lot of synergies. I look forward to connecting the two because they can complement each other in their efforts to build up our community,” she said. Monica will continue to be involved in Tech Hub’s startup-related initiatives in a voluntary capacity.

“I learned at Tech Hub that creating a community takes time, takes the right people, and takes having a common mission,” Monica explained. “If you bring value to your community, the overall ecosystem will grow.”

For Monica, working at Tech Hub was an excellent opportunity to hone her skills. “I have worn  a lot of hats at Tech Hub and done a bit of everything, from marketing to communications and events. It’s allowed me to be super agile and focused on getting things done, all while understanding the needs of the community.”

Recently, our interns and junior staff have also gained employment and additional internships at some of Tech Hub’s member companies. Ally Costa now works at PlanHub, Rebecca Bakels at CITY Furniture, Jose Delgado works at Office Depot, and Madison Cuellar works at NextEra Energy.

Madison, who also sits on the board of Code Palm Beach, said that she “couldn’t even imagine getting [her] start somewhere else.” She continued, “I was taught skills that no college class could ever prepare me for, all the while continuing my passion of spreading STEM education throughout the county. I always felt like my ideas were heard and my questions were answered. I never felt like ‘just an intern.’ I always felt like a valued part of the team.”

Tech Hub provided a door-opening opportunity for Madison: “It was through Tech Hub that I was able to build my network. Every event was a way to meet new people who in some shape of form were involved in tech. I was able to ask my questions and really get a feel for companies, just to see where I might fit in best. When I knew I wanted to be at Nextera, I was overwhelmed with support.”

“With such a young and vibrant staff and being connected to so many wonderful partner organizations and companies in our region, it’s only natural that we would be a great launchpad for career growth,” says Tech Hub’s Interim CEO, Nikki Cabus. “While we will greatly miss them, we thank them for their amazing work at Tech Hub and wish them all the best in the future!”

,
05
Jul, 2021

By Riley Kaminer

Tech Hub South Florida Announces Interim CEO, Ambitious Growth Plans for Second Half of 2021

Read Time 2 Minutes

Tech Hub South Florida recently announced that Nikki Cabus will be the Interim CEO of the West Palm Beach-based nonprofit.

Cabus commented, “I am excited to lead Tech Hub South Florida as we continue to grow and further our mission to put South Florida on the map as a top innovation ecosystem.”

“I am honored to be in the company of many excellent female leaders working to build South Florida’s tech hub,” Cabus continued, particularly mentioning Maria Derchi Russo of Refresh Miami and Florida Funders, and Leigh-Ann Buchanan of aīre ventures.

Michael Fowler, Vice President of IT for Florida Power & Light and Chair of Tech Hub South Florida’s Board of Directors, said “Nikki joined Tech Hub South Florida in 2019.  She’s quickly become a critical member of our team and has developed deep relationships with our members. We were very happy she has agreed to step in as interim leader of the organization.”

The organization has grown significantly with it’s geographic expansion over the last year. It was rebranded from Palm Beach Tech to better reflect its mission to promote the tech industry from the Treasure Coast to the Keys. It also began to expand its public policy advocacy efforts with the strategic hire of Ashton Adler and the work of board member Sheela VanHoose.

Cabus explained that Tech Hub South Florida’s growth trajectory will be guided by its four core pillars: Talent, Brand, Community, and Startups. Its first pillar, talent, focuses on building a pipeline of top technologists in our region. Second, it emphasizes building South Florida’s brand as a tech hub. Third is community, which involves fostering an environment in which tech innovation can thrive. Finally, their startup pillar aims to support and aggregate resources for South Florida founders building the next big thing.

One way Tech Hub South Florida plans to execute on these pillars is through its various committees. The organization recently announced that David Coddington, Senior Vice President of Business Development for the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance and leader of TechGateway, will lead its Branding Committee. The self-described “Chief Technology Story Teller” will spearhead the movement to present the South Florida region as a gateway to tech innovation.

This past February, Tech Hub merged with Code Palm Beach to further its mission of widening access to computer programming skills by offering courses for students average ages 6 -14 in South Florida. “Code Palm Beach is an important initiative under our talent pillar. I am proud to say that K-12 schools from Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties are all represented as part of our Talent Committee,” said Cabus. “We also have representation from the region’s most prominent higher education institutions.”

Cabus said that Tech Hub South Florida will keep its core values top of mind as it continues to scale. “We are growing fast and will continue to lead with our trust-building values like integrity, positivity, and working together to break down silos. Collaboration is key when building a community.”

21
Jun, 2021

By Riley Kaminer

Member Spotlight | Crown Castle

Read Time 3 Minutes

Business: Real estate investment trust and provider of shared communications infrastructure across the United States

Launched: 1994

HQ: Houston, Texas

Employees: 4,500+

Website: CrownCastle.com

Using the internet can feel magical. You grab a metal object out of your pocket, tap on the glass, and in a matter of milliseconds are presented with all the world at your fingertips.

None of that magic would be possible without people like Chris Carr. He’s the Fiber Sales Manager for South Florida at Crown Castle, the nation’s largest provider of communications infrastructure. Crown Castle’s assets include cell towers, small cell nodes, and fiber that connect people and businesses to the data they need.

Carr focuses on the fiber part of Crown Castle’s business, working together with his team of seven account executives to help solve his customers’ needs. Those needs can vary quite a bit considering the diverse range of clients Crown Castle works with – from K-12 and higher education institutions to large businesses and government agencies.

One of the things that makes Crown Castle stand apart, according to Carr, is “the fact that we own our own infrastructure.” That means that clients can see maps showing the exact route the fiber cables take to arrive at the client’s facility from the core network node. 

“Guaranteeing a physical route enables our customers to have an increased ability to design their assets and guarantee diversity,” said Carr. This diversity is important because it gives Crown Castle’s customers maximum flexibility. 

“Flexibility is crucial when needs are in flux like during Covid,” Carr explained. He also said that flexibility comes into play when dealing with restoration efforts after natural disasters like hurricanes. “Owning our assets lets us go out and restore service quicker than the competition.”

Security is increasingly important for Crown Castle’s clients, as our personal and professional lives become more digital than ever before. Carr said that the company plans to roll out additional security enhancements for clients, helping them thwart threats before they become an issue.

Carr moved to South Florida from upstate New York this past Spring and is bullish about the growth of our region’s economy. “It’s exciting to see familiar names that are moving down here,” he said. 

“It comes at no surprise to me that tech would be at the forefront of this growth,” said Carr. “This is a tremendous opportunity for South Florida as a whole. It’s going to turn into an incubator of best efforts across the country, in tech and all industries.”

Carr also enjoys mentoring ambitious young people in his industry. After graduating from college, Carr tried to make it as a professional golfer, but had to abandon his goals. But he said that while this “seemed like a failure 15 years ago,” it has actually “turned into a blessing.” He believes that this life path has led him to a career and company that he is passionate about, as well as enabled him to meet his wife and cultivate strong professional connections.

His advice to young people finding their path in life? “It’s important to stay committed to yourself and true to who you are. Take some initiative but also let things happen. Everything comes full circle.”

,
14
Jun, 2021

By Riley Kaminer

Royal Carribean’s Martha Poulter named CIO of the Year

Read Time 3 Minutes

Martha Poulter, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer of Royal Caribbean, has received an 2021 Miami CIO of the Year ORBIE Award in the Global category.

Poulter was recognized for taking an innovative approach to drive business for the cruise line during one of its toughest years.

“We are very excited and encouraged by winning this award,” Poulter told Tech Hub South Florida. “This is great recognition coming out of a period that was really challenging for this industry.”

She said the award reflects the success of her team above all: “it’s rewarding because I think it’s a great reflection of what the organization and the team has accomplished.”

The award’s selection process is competitive. It requires sponsorship from CEOs and includes rigorous interviews with past winners.

Poulter explained that the CIO touches all aspects of Royal Caribbean’s business, dealing with a diverse range of stakeholders. From customers to engineers and external vendors, it is Poulter’s responsibility to ensure that technology is being deployed effectively. 

You might be surprised to learn the diverse, innovative ways Royal Caribbean uses technology. For instance, they are tackling food waste using technology. And every ship has a data center on board.

Three main factors drive Poulter’s strategy as CIO: financials, regulatory issues, and innovation. “We always think about the financial impact, whether it’s top line or bottom line – thinking how does something we do affect the balance sheet,” Poulter said.

Regulation in such a complex industry is also crucial, according to Poulter. This broad category includes sensitive issues such as data privacy laws.

When it comes to innovation, Poulter said that in many cases she looks at a technology and “can’t quantify” its value yet “knows it’s important to invest.” That investment can take many forms – procuring from a third-party vendor, building it in-house, and anything in between.

Poulter expressed excitement around a few technologies in particular. “There’s lots of interest in the new entrants into the satellite space,” she said. Royal Caribbean is always looking to “push more bandwidth to consumers through untethered solutions.” Connectivity is key, Poulter says, in a context where their main products are “non-static, small floating cities.” She was particularly optimistic about SpaceX and Amazon’s foray into satellites.

Miniaturization is another key tech trend that Poulter is following. It’s the idea that tech is getting smaller. Poulter offered the example of “smaller sensors and other devices that you are able to draw information from.” She said that these technologies can bring significant cost savings to Royal Caribbean in cases where they can shorten maintenance downtimes and optimize fuel consumption.

Royal Carribean is headquartered in Miami, with its tech campus in Miramar. Poulter said that South Florida’s growth as a tech hub is “only good news” for companies based in our region.

“Three years ago it didn’t feel the same way,” she said, explaining that today’s tech ecosystem feels much more vibrant.

From an employer’s perspective, Poulter said that “you have to be able to attract the talent, and have people understand that they can have a great lifestyle and a great career here.” Previously, she explained that talent might be concerned about their career trajectory in South Florida. In her view that is now changing, with an increasing talent pool bringing more opportunities to the region. “This is what we need – it’s what we’ve yearned for,” she said.

, ,
14
Jun, 2021

By Riley Kaminer

PeakActivity launches eCommerce company, RevCommerce

Read Time 3 Minutes

PeakActivity, one of South Florida’s fastest-growing digital strategy and implementation companies, has announced the launch of RevCommerce, a highly customizable eCommerce platform.

Manish Hirapara, PeakActivity’s CEO, initially developed the idea of RevCommerce around his clients’ needs for a better eCommerce platform.

“We launched this platform to help businesses take their eCommerce to the next level,” Hirapara told Tech Hub South Florida. He explained that RevCommerce provides “a fast and flexible way to create a solution for their future,” not just for their current needs.

Andy Boyland, the CEO of RevCommerce, noted that consumers have very high standards for interacting with eCommerce. “Large corporations like Amazon set the bar by which our eCommerce experience is measured,” he said. Boyland explained that the problem for small and medium-sized businesses is that they don’t have the luxury of Amazon’s throngs of developers who work around the clock to perfect their shopping experience.

That’s where RevCommerce steps in. Boyland said the platform provides a “flexible system that offers a best-in-class experience.” RevCommerce works well with other major eCommerce platforms such as Shopify, giving users the ability to make their website as sleek and user-friendly as the biggest competitors.

RevCommerce consists of four main components: a content management system, a product information manager, a digital asset manager, and a cart/checkout feature. These can be used independently or together to create a unique shopping experience for each customer.

The PeakActivity team has future-proofed RevCommerce to protect users from the constantly-evolving nature of the tech landscape. It is easy to integrate any new eCommerce functionality that might come into the market.

Since its launch in May, RevCommerce has already added value to a wide range of customers as varied as an eyehealth retailer and an air filter company.

PeakActivity has experienced a significant amount of growth since the pandemic, when businesses of all shapes and sizes doubled down on their digital footprint. The company made it to the top 10% on the Inc 5000 list of Fastest-Growing Privately Held Companies in the US in 2020. “We’re hiring 2-3 new people every week,” said Hirapara. They were also awarded one of the most promising digital marketing service companies in 2021 by CIO Review.

A major challenge that professional services firms like PeakActivity face is how to scale. For Hirapara, the key to success lies in trusting employees: “my advice to founders is to hire smart people and get out of the way.” He said he takes pride in “finding and grooming great leaders, and giving them the opportunity to get better.”

Hirapara said that one of his top professional goals is to help the Florida tech ecosystem flourish. He highlighted the historical origins of the local tech space: “I grew up in Boca when IBM was there,” he said. “It was a highly tech-oriented town. Now we’re seeing a lot of startups there.” 

He explained his ambition “to create an environment in tech here where people can feel like they can take risks, and take advantage of the diversity inherent to our region.” Apart from his role at the helm of PeakActivity, he also plans to accomplish that goal through his work with Tech Hub South Florida as Chair of the CxO Peer Group, among other initiatives.

Learn more about RevCommerce on their website.

, , ,
07
Jun, 2021

By Riley Kaminer

Tech Hub South Florida hosts region’s top Tech Leaders at Summer BBQ

Read Time 3 Minutes

Last week, Tech Hub South Florida hosted a barbecue for members of its Startup Founders and CxO peer groups. This event provided a laid-back environment for founders and executives to connect, network, and celebrate the start of summer.

The event was held at the new Delray Beach headquarters of Premier Virtual, which recently held a ribbon cutting ceremony. The startup, which has developed a platform for holding large-scale virtual event and career fairs, has experienced exponential growth as in-person events became replaced by digital alternatives.

Nikki Cabus, Tech Hub South Florida’s Interim CEO, said that “these kinds of informal events are so important because people ultimately work with people they like. It’s that simple.” 

She continued, “It removes the transactional business card exchange that seldomly yields any genuine connection. Once you have a chance to connect over beer and BBQ, have a conversation about baseball and family, you really get to know somebody. This is where friendships are made, business opportunities arise, and referrals stem from.”

Tech Hub South Florida’s peer groups offer an opportunity for members to meet, learn from, and share best practices with each other. Benefits include regular meetings, exclusive member communications, and access to unique speakers and networking opportunities.

The Startup Founders Peer Group brings together our region’s most ambitious entrepreneurs leading companies with fewer than 10 employees. Its chair, Mike Maniscalco, is the founder of Better Living Technologies, which develops products to help patients manage their type 1 diabetes. Gaida Zirkelback, Co-Founder & CEO of carbon accounting platform SustainaBase is the peer group’s co-chair. As the South Florida tech ecosystem grows, this Peer Group will continue to act as a resource for founders looking to scale in this dynamic region.

CxO Peer Group members include top executives of tech companies with more than 10 employees that are headquartered in South Florida. Manish Hirapara, CEO of Boynton Beach-based digital strategy firm PeakActivity, is Chair of the peer group. He sits alongside Co-Chair Amit Rastogi, physician and CEO at Jupiter Medical Center. Tech Hub South Florida believes that it is crucial to have more established tech firms supporting younger companies that are pushing the boundaries of innovation in South Florida.

Tech Hub South Florida would like to thank Think Consulting and their President Tony Gruebl, which sponsored the event. 

Gruebel said that Tech Hub South Florida “curated an amazing event with a great turnout of founders and C-Level Executives from the area.” He continued, “The relaxed atmosphere created the perfect space to connect, network, and have some fun. We are looking forward to the next event.”

Ed Mullin, Vice President & CIO at Think, said that he especially enjoyed Premier Virtual’s diverse contributions to the night’s success: “Steve Edwards CEO of Premier Virtual cooks an awesome brisket! It was also nice to see Premier Virtual’s brand new offices and meet their inspired staff. They have quite the story to tell.”

Think is a national technology and operations advisory practice that provides on-the-ground transformation and consulting, led by executives, adapted for the mid-market. The team aligns company culture to business mission and goals, leading to positive and sustainable change and meaningful results. Think is engaged in a variety of sectors including EdTech, financial services, and publishing.

Tech Hub would also like to thank Premier Virtual and Co-Founders, Steve Edwards and Gary Chambers for hosting this event in their beautiful new space.

Might you be interested in joining a Tech Hub South Florida peer group? If so, please get in touch via our website.

, ,
31
May, 2021

By Riley Kaminer

Member Spotlight | DSS

Read Time 3 Minutes

Business: Health information software development and systems integration company

Launched: 1991

HQ: Juno Beach

Employees: 600+

Website: DSSInc.com

Healthcare is one of the biggest businesses in the United States, making up almost 18% of GDP. For technologists looking to make an impact, the healthtech space may be one of the most ripe for innovation.

Christopher Kunney has worked in information technology with a focus on healthcare for three decades. He is the Chief of Strategy & Business Development at Juno Beach-based DSS, a healthcare software development and systems integration company with over 30 years of health information experience. From DSS’ commercial division, Juno Health to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and other Federal agencies, DSS solutions are used daily by thousands of clinicians and administrative staff nationwide. 

“Data is truly the currency to help understand what determines someone’s wellbeing,” said Kunney. “It’s the info that helps hospitals and clinicians make smarter, more informed decisions.” Smart use of data is critical in the shift towards what Kunney describes as “accountable care” or “incentivizing hospitals and clinicians to prevent you from getting sick, and rewarding such behavior.”

Kunney explained how DSS is leveraging technology and data to solve the industry’s thorniest problems. Take electronic health records (EHR) for example. According to Kunney, “eight out of ten professionals dislike their EHR.” That’s because legacy systems are often very keyboard heavy, which makes entering data an unnecessarily laborious task.

DSS is, in Kunney’s words, “taking a bold step in the hospital EHR market” with its upcoming launch of Juno EHR. 

“We’re turning the concept of the EHR on its head,” said Kunney. “We’ve built it on the clinicians’ needs, giving power back to the providers with access to the patient data they need when they need it” he explained.

This cloud-based system will centralize information and seamlessly integrate with third-party services. Because it’s a SaaS product, Kunney says that the “capital outlay for acquisition of our product is lower” compared to that of legacy providers.

This is an enticing selling point for hospitals that work off a very tight margin, said Kunney. “When they purchase as a service, it means that they don’t have to compromise: scale up as you need and scale down as you don’t.”

Another one of DSS’s most recent innovations under the Juno Health division, Juno RxTracker, automates and simplifies the ePrescribing process. Kelly Kavooras, Chief Marketing Officer at DSS, says that this product is especially important for meeting eprescribing mandates for controlled substances like opioids. It enables healthcare providers to check a patient’s medical records across different systems to avoid bad interactions, while also enabling prescriptions to be efficiently and effectively submitted to pharmacies.

Kunney explained that “Covid brought out the gaps and weaknesses of legacy systems.” He believes that “tech still has a long way to go to support clinical efficiencies” and thinks that DSS can play a major role in addressing the biggest healthcare challenges of our time.

“We’re starting to anticipate the direction of the industry, develop tools that help field those gaps, and help drive the market down the path for disruptive care,” he said.

Hailing from Atlanta, Kunney is “very encouraged and very excited by the healthtech market in South Florida.”

He continued, “we’re staying very involved in the tech community to support the narrative that South Florida can become a healthcare tech hub.”

, ,
1 … 23 24 25 26 27 … 41

LATEST POSTS

SUBSCRIBE







Member Spotlight | Improving
Member Spotlight | Lexima
Member Spotlight | Stark Weber PLLC
Inc. 5000 spotlights 13 high growth Tech Hub South Florida members 
CITY Furniture Celebrates 50th Anniversary
Glades Capital Announces Launch of Its First Fund
Tech takes over at this year’s Magic City Cup soccer tournament
Member Spotlight | YES Institute
Tech Hub South Florida as a career launchpad
Tech Hub South Florida Announces Interim CEO, Ambitious Growth Plans for Second Half of 2021
Member Spotlight | Crown Castle
Royal Carribean’s Martha Poulter named CIO of the Year
PeakActivity launches eCommerce company, RevCommerce
Tech Hub South Florida hosts region’s top Tech Leaders at Summer BBQ
Member Spotlight | DSS