South Florida Tech HubSouth Florida Tech Hub
26
Sep, 2023

By Nikki Cabus

Research Park at Florida Atlantic University® Receives 2023 Excellence in Economic Development Silver Award

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The Research Park at Florida Atlantic University® received a 2023 Excellence in Economic Development Silver Award from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC).

The award was bestowed specifically for the Global Ventures at Florida Atlantic™ second-stage entrepreneur support initiative in the Innovation Programs & Initiatives category that impacted more than 500,000 residents. Ryan Lilly, Global Ventures Program Manager was acknowledged and honored at the IEDC 2023 Annual Conference during the inaugural Recognition Night event in Dallas, TX, September 19.

The Research Park at Florida Atlantic University® is home to technology companies and research-based organizations working to support the research and development activities of
Florida Atlantic University and to foster economic development and broaden the economic base of Broward and Palm Beach counties. The Research Park at FAU hosts Global Ventures, an international soft-landing center for second-stage technology companies and FAU Tech Runway, a hub to accelerate technology development and incubate startup companies. The Research Park at FAU is a 70-acre destination for R&D companies to thrive, established in 1985, it is widely regarded as South Florida’s laboratory for new entrepreneurial ideas and technologies. The Research Park at FAU is governed by the Florida Atlantic Research and Development Authority, an independent special district created by Palm Beach and Broward counties in partnership with Florida Atlantic University, organized under Chapter 159, Part V, Florida Statues.

“Research Park at FAU has raised the bar for excellence in economic development with its Global Ventures program. This award is a testament to Research Park at FAU’s dedication to its residents and serves as a great example of how economic development can help transform a community for the better,” said Nathan Ohle, IEDC President and CEO. “It is IEDC’s honor and privilege to present Research Park at FAU with this award and recognize its leadership and innovation in the field of economic development!”

Every year IEDC looks specifically for economic development organizations, government entities, initiatives, and programs that have demonstrated consistent, exemplary performance in the economic development profession, leading the execution of projects that have a significant impact on revitalizing communities, and playing a major role in shaping and improving the practice of economic development.

The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is a non-profit, non-partisan membership organization serving economic developers. With more than 4,300 members, IEDC is the largest organization of its kind. Economic developers promote economic well-being and quality of life for their communities by creating, retaining, and expanding jobs that facilitate growth, enhance wealth, and provide a stable tax base. From public to private, rural to urban, and local to international, IEDC’s members engage in the full range of economic development practices. Given the breadth of economic development work, members are employed in various settings, including local, state, provincial, and federal governments, public-private partnerships, chambers of commerce, universities, and a variety of other institutions.

FAU Research Park’s Global Ventures is an international soft-landing center, accredited by the International Business Innovation Association, serving to support second-stage entrepreneurs and their enterprises as they scale-up in South Florida. The incubator support entrepreneurs with warm introductions to strategic relationships, market validation techniques, peer mentoring and all the resources afforded by its association with Florida Atlantic University, and more.

“Global Ventures was created to help second-stage entrepreneurs scale in South Florida. We identified a gap in the entrepreneurial ecosystem and developed a program to develop it,” said Andrew Duffell, president of Research Park at FAU. “This award validates our concept and recognizes its successes. We are very excited to continue developing it for the benefit of our region’s economy.”

Previously, IEDC recognized Research Park’s work with Silver Awards in 2013 for its partnership with Florida Atlantic University, and in 2014 for its regionalism and cross-border collaboration between Palm Beach and Broward counties. The second-stage entrepreneur support initiative Global Ventures has previously been recognized with awards from the Florida Business Incubation Association (2023) and the International Business Innovation Association (2021).

To learn more about FAU’s Research Park, visit www.researchparkfau.com

24
Sep, 2023

By Adam Elitzur

24by7Security: A Decade of Cybersecurity Leadership

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24By7Security is a cybersecurity and consulting compliance firm based in Coral Springs, Florida. 24By7Security (originally called HIPAA-HITECH-SOLUTIONS) was founded by Sanjay Deo in 2013, when he noticed a pressing need to help healthcare organizations properly comply with critical regulations like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

Initially focused on the healthcare industry in South Florida, 24By7Security quickly expanded its geographic reach and its industry expertise as non-healthcare companies also sought out its compliance services. This growth led to a rebranding as 24By7Security in 2015.

Over the past decade, 24By7Security has established itself as a trusted cybersecurity advisor delivering over 3,000 risk assessments, compliance assessments, training, and support. The company has particularly deep expertise helping clients meet healthcare and financial regulations, and payment card industry requirements.

24By7Security has 25 professionals serving more than 100 clients across the United States, primarily in healthcare, financial services, retail, manufacturing, hospitality and technology. The company was recently selected as an endorsed partner of the Texas Hospital Association, including over 400 hospitals, which was an important milestone.

24By7Security prides itself on its continuous communication model, whereby if during an engagement, its employees discover a serious issue or vulnerability, they immediately let their client know and help them fix it. Many times these issues, if not fixed immediately, could lead to an attack. This could potentially cost the company millions of dollars, whether from a ransomware attack or fines from government agencies if personal information is leaked, such as medical records.

Rema Deo, CEO & Managing Director of 24By7Security, believes that one of the foremost challenges of 24By7Security lies in meeting the ever-growing demand for cybersecurity and compliance efforts, especially in a world where hackers operate around the clock. Therefore, the company is continually on the lookout for new hires, with the hiring cycle showing no signs of slowing down. In March 2020, another challenge arose when the sales pipeline froze due to the pandemic. Despite this, the company retained all its full-time employees and used this time to provide extensive training to them. It successfully achieved status as a PCI-DSS Qualified Security Assessor company. During this period, the company also sought authorization to become a CMMC Registered Practitioner, thus able to assist contractors working with the Department of Defense in fortifying their security measures and preparing for the upcoming mandatory CMMC certification.

As 24By7Security celebrates its 10th anniversary, it remains as committed as ever to empowering clients to expertly navigate the complex compliance and cybersecurity landscape. 24By7Security works round-the-clock to address potential threats whenever they are needed. “Cyber criminals never sleep,” stated Deo. “Security breaches and cyber attacks can occur in your environment day and night, 365 days a year. I cannot tell you how many times we’ve had calls from clients on Thanksgiving or Christmas Day. We’re always here to support our clients.”

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24
Sep, 2023

By Nikki Cabus

NSU’s Board of Trustees Announces Succession Plan for NSU Presidency

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At its September 21, 2023 meeting, Nova Southeastern University’s (NSU) Board of Trustees and President Dr. George Hanbury finalized plans for him to step down as president and CEO and continue to serve NSU in a new role as of January 1, 2025. At the same meeting, the Board voted unanimously for Harry K. Moon, M.D., currently NSU’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, to become NSU’s 7th President and CEO. Dr. Moon will begin his tenure as president, also on January 1, 2025.

The decision by the President and Board to make this announcement now gives the university and its executive leadership abundant time to implement a well-thought-out transition period to ensure the long-term success of the university, its students, faculty, staff, alumni, patients, partners and the communities it serves.

“George Hanbury has led Nova Southeastern University through years of unparalleled achievement. The university is financially sound and well on track to continue its rise to preeminence among national research universities,” said Mr. Charlie Palmer, Chair of NSU’s Board of Trustees. “We have recognized the strong and effective partnership between President Hanbury and Dr. Moon over these past five years and we see that promotion from within will serve the university’s best interest.

“Dr. Moon has contributed significantly to NSU’s growth and brings recognized strategic planning and vision to this role,” Palmer continued. “He can build upon President Hanbury’s considerable legacy and lead NSU to continue its rise to preeminence among national research universities. Having such a clear succession plan and process will ensure an intentional and effective transition at the executive level. We are confident this appointment will help ensure continuity, stability, and the fulfillment of NSU’s destiny.”

President Hanbury, who has served as president of Nova Southeastern University since 2010, will continue to serve NSU in a new role as Chancellor and creator of a new Institute of Citizenship, Leadership, and International Affairs.

“Serving the students, faculty and staff of this great university has been the most noble thing I have ever done in my life. My job became my passion at NSU, and because I loved what I was doing, I feel like I never worked a day. I love being president of the NSU family,” said Dr. Hanbury. “As my contract draws to an end, I’m blessed to be healthy and happy, and it’s time to prepare to pass the gavel to the next and seventh presidency of this fine institution.

“I’ve been considering and planning for this transition for some time now, and I couldn’t imagine a better successor than Harry Moon,” Dr. Hanbury continued. “When I recruited him to the senior leadership position of Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer – a position I held myself for 12 years at NSU before I became President – I had this kind of opportunity well in mind. We’ve worked well as collaborators and I strongly endorse Dr. Moon’s selection by the Board as NSU’s seventh President in order to continue the University’s measured progress toward preeminence. We will continue to work closely over the next 15 months so that I can impart the knowledge I have gained, and to seamlessly transition leadership responsibilities.”

Dr. Moon currently serves as NSU’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, a role he has held since July 2018. Additionally, Dr. Moon is Chief Operating Officer of NSU Health, a patient-centric integrated health care network encompassing the university’s many clinical operations. As NSU’s EVP/COO, he oversees the units of Innovation and Information Technology, Facilities and Public Safety, Business Services, Internal Audit, Environmental Health and Safety, Engagement Center, Regional Campus Administration, University Library, NSU Art Museum | Fort Lauderdale, and the Grande Oaks Golf Club.

“I am humbled and honored that NSU’s Board of Trustees and President Hanbury have placed their trust in me to be the next president to lead this extraordinary university,” said Dr. Moon. “President Hanbury has built a strong foundation for the university. It has been his vision and drive that has led us to our emergence as a preeminent national research university; my goal is to continue that upward trajectory. And, as it has been with Dr. Hanbury, my vision also starts with the core mission of the university: its students.

“My goal is to ensure NSU continues to provide a high-quality educational experience for all our students – K-12, undergraduate, graduate and professional – as we also continue to strengthen our fiscal foundations and endowment, and focus on strategic growth in our research, athletics and health care enterprise,” said Dr. Moon. “NSU is ready to take the next dynamic steps forward on its path to preeminence, and I am honored to be chosen to lead our next chapter.”

The university will begin a national search for the institution’s next Chief Operating Officer to prepare for the presidential transition that will take place as of January 1, 2025. Additionally, in alignment with these changes and in recognition of his many years of service as NSU’s fifth president, Chancellor Ray Ferrero Jr., J.D., will be granted the new title of President Emeritus.

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18
Sep, 2023

By Nikki Cabus

BrandStar Studios takes home two prestigious awards at the 44th annual Telly Awards 2023

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The Telly Awards has announced its 44th annual winners after a record-breaking year for entries. BrandStar Studios takes home not one, but two, awards this year!

The Telly Awards is the world’s largest honor for video and television across all screens. This year’s winners include some of the most prominent global brands and companies alongside smaller and independent production houses, including Cut+Run, Netflix, Disney Parks, Media.Monks, Paramount, National Geographic Society, and dynastic NBA team the Golden State Warriors.

Founded in 1979 to originally honor commercials made for cable and local TV, The Telly Awards has continually refreshed its categories to honor the evolving, broad range of work being made today – work that reflects the trends, issues, and topical matters of each year. This season, the Tellys unveiled categories to better recognize work across Pro Bono and CSR, video journalism, and those pushing boundaries across virtual production.

“The caliber of the work this season truly has reflected the theme of breaking out and standing out,” said The Telly Awards Executive Director Sabrina Dridje. “Our industry is experimenting with new technologies like never before, crafting truly compelling stories to draw attention to some of the world’s most pressing issues, and companies big and small are turning to more sustainable practices to break the cycle of past production processes.”

The Telly Awards’ 44th annual edition – “Break through the static” – boasted nearly 13,000 entries from across the globe, the most in a decade, with submissions flowing in from the US, Middle East, UK and Canada, as well as strong entries from Malaysia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and as widespread as Afghanistan, Sweden, New Zealand, Jamaica, and South Africa. 

BrandStar Entertainment and BrandStar Studios both shines bright with a double victory at the Telly Awards 2023 bringing home two bronze awards!

  • B2B Branded Content
    • Inside the Blueprint – Going Electric, Going Green: Forklifts for a Sustainable Planet
    • Senior Associate Producer, Robert Holodak, BrandStar
    • As the world’s largest supplier of forklifts and material handling equipment, Toyota Material Handling will help bring your company to the next level. For more than 50 years, this global market leader has successfully helped companies worldwide operate at their highest levels of efficiency and workloads.
  • Health & Safety Branded Content
    • Access Health – The Importance of Early Detection of Alzheimer’s Disease
    • Senior Producer/Writer, Amy Robinson, BrandStar
    • Join host Ereka Vetrini for an in-depth discussion on managing your brain health. Panelists will discuss the differences between healthy aging and Alzheimer’s, as well as reducing your risk of cognitive decline. Plus, we’ll also meet two very special advocates.

In the TV production business for close to 30 years, BrandStar’s founders made their mark through programs such as Access Health, Inside the Blueprint, The Balancing Act, Military Makeover, and Designing Spaces. Each show has a goal of helping people just be a little better at life.

Prominently displayed near the front entrance of BrandStar’s 43,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility in Deerfield Beach, you will notice over 140 Telly Awards honoring the television and video production for multiple show airing on the Lifetime Television Network.

Along with the awards themselves, The Telly Awards continues to connect with its audience year round and provide a valuable platform for thought leadership and community. This season’s highlights included the expansion of The Telly Awards global screenings to include the production hub of Atlanta, and a packed panel with partner Green The Bid focused on sustainable production.

Meanwhile, season two of The Telly Awards Podcast made its triumphant return bringing together two leaders from the video and television community with similar expertise in different disciplines – including a candid conversation between Tribeca Enterprises and Alamo Drafthouse. The Telly Awards’ unfiltered, unrehearsed interview series “Hot Takes” also returned with industry experts on hot-button topics, with this year’s programming covering the impact of AI on the animation industry, how to stand out as a freelancer in a crowded market, and the critical work of partner We Are Parable in exhibiting Black Cinema.

The fan favorite, the “People’s Telly Awards”, which were chosen by the public, went to a diversified, solid roster of creative and production talent, from Netflix and MTV Entertainment Studios to Paramount Brand Studio and Sesame Workshop.

To learn more about BrandStar, visit https://brandstar.com/

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17
Sep, 2023

By Nikki Cabus

CloudHesive appoints Global Leader Michael Tobin OBE to its Board of Directors

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CloudHesive announced the appointment of Michael Tobin OBE to its board of directors.

Michael brings decades of experience in corporate leadership and is a globally recognized leader. He is a serial technology entrepreneur and pioneer with over 30 years experience in the telecoms & technology sector.

“CloudHesive is one of the fastest growing companies in the United States“, said Michael Tobin. “I’m delighted to be joining this exciting organization as it continues to cement its position as a leading international AWS partner, leveraging its broad capability and experience to create significant value for its clients worldwide.”

An innovative and experienced leader, Tobin has decades of technical industry experience, including his role as Chief Executive Officer of UK’s Telecity Group PLC from 2002 to 2014. There, he led the company’s transformation from a £6 million market cap entity in 2002 to a top-performing FTSE250 company valued at over £2.5 billion. Under his direction, Telecity Group was recognized as Britain’s Most Admired Tech Company in 2012, helping to solidify its position as an industry leader.

Throughout his career, Tobin has received numerous accolades, including the London Business Awards‘ “Business Turnaround of the Year” in 2005, the UK Innovation Awards’ “IPO of the Year” in 2008, and the techMARK Personality of the Year in that same year. In 2014, Tobin was honored in the Queen’s New Year Honours List with the Order of the British Empire (OBE) medal for his outstanding services to the Digital Economy.

His dedication to excellence extends beyond his professional endeavors, as he ran 40 marathons in 40 days for the Prince’s Trust in 2016 and trekked the South Pole in 2020 for charity.

“We are thrilled to welcome Michael Tobin to CloudHesive as a new member of our Board of Directors,” said Jim Walker, CEO of CloudHesive. “His remarkable track record of leadership, innovation, and commitment to excellence aligns with our company’s values and current vision.”

CloudHesive is an Amazon Premier Partner and an Amazon Managed Services Partner founded in 2014 by veterans in the cloud technology space. We help our customers adapt and transform their organizations by leveraging the power of the public cloud ecosystem through consulting, and next-generation managed services with a focus on Operational Excellence, Security, Reliability, and Application Optimization. We service global customers and have headquarters in Fort Lauderdale, FL, and offices in Denver, Colorado, Santiago, Chile, Bogota, Colombia and Buenos Aires, Argentina.

“We are thrilled to announce Michael Tobin OBE’s addition to our board of directors. His esteemed leadership enhances our outstanding team further. As we remain dedicated to supporting our clients in their AWS digital and AI initiatives, his presence strongly reaffirms our mission,” wrote John Clendennen, CloudHesive’s Chief Revenue Officer in a social media post.

 

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17
Sep, 2023

By Nikki Cabus

The Center for Arts & Innovation announced world renowned architect for Boca Raton project

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Just this month, The Center for Performing Arts & Innovation held a press conference announcing Renzo Piano Building Workshop as the design architect selected for the future site.

The search for The Center’s architect attracted incredible international interest from renowned firms contending for the coveted title of Design Architect. After 22 design firms responded with interest in the project’s RFP, The Arts & Innovation Building Committee, led by Board Member Camilo Miguel, Jr. of Mast Capital, assessed each proposal through an extensive selection process accounting for factors such as project capacity, market fit, exclusivity, and more.

The committee selected 10 finalists after which four internationally acclaimed firms were ultimately shortlisted. Of the four finalists, three were prestigious Pritzker Architecture Prize winners: Foster + Partners (London), OMA (Rotterdam) and RPBW Renzo Piano Building Workshop (Paris/Genoa).

The Pritzker Architecture Prize, often referred to as “architecture’s Nobel” and “the profession’s highest honor,” is awarded each year to a living architect or architects whose built work demonstrates a combination of those qualities of talent, vision, and commitment, which has produced consistent and significant contributions to humanity and the built environment through the art of architecture. This speaks to the regional and global significance of this tremendous project.

“The selection of these firms was based on their incredible contributions to architectural excellence, their tremendously compelling proposals that resonated with the essence of our project, and, most importantly, their keen understanding and enthusiasm for the significance of this legacy project for our city, region and the world at large,” said Andrea Virgin, PE, LEED AP, Chair and CEO.

September 6th, 2023 will mark a notable milestone for The Center for Arts & Innovation and equally The City of Boca Raton. Over five years ago, Andrea Virgin came up with the idea for The Center and just last ear the Boca Raton City Council approved the plans. Held at the Mizner Park Amphitheater, the site where The Center will be built, plans for the future site seemed to grow some legs when the Design Architect, Renzo Piano Building Workshop or “RPWB” was announced.

“We have been a city very long known for the visionary who was Addison Mizner, we have established our first hundred years as a city on the pillars of this great man,” Virgin said. “Today, we gather to honor that past, but too, just as Mizner did, inspire the future, to build upon those pillars for our greater tomorrow and the architect we selected will undoubtedly do that for us in a way that honors our great heritage.”

 

Renowned design architect Renzo Piano was born 1937 in Genoa, Italy to a family of builders. Renzo studied architecture at the University of Florence and Polytechnic University of Milan. In 1970, he received his first international commission, for the Pavilion of Italian Industry for Expo 70 in Osaka, Japan which he collaborated with his brother Ermanno and the family firm. After receiving great admiration for his work, this was a catalyst for the rest of his career and foundation for The Renzo Piano Building Workshop established in 1981.

In addition to his most notable design award, Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2013, Piano also received The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Gold Medal and the Sonning Prize, among man others. Piano brings extraordinary experience, skills and talent to each design project. As one of the world’s most sought-after architects, Renzo Piano engages in only two to three new projects per year.

Alongside visionaries, local press and media, and local elected officials including The City of Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer, The Center for Arts & Innovation announced their most significant project milestone to date. Next,

“Culture and art are essential—they shape our society, improve our quality of life, influence our behavior in making us more human, and help us to better connect with one another. The programming of The Center and its architecture must play in harmony, so that the project becomes a cultural and artistic destination.” Antoine Chaaya, Partner in charge of the new project.

To learn more about The Center for Arts & Innovation, visit https://thecenterforartsandinnovation.org/

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17
Sep, 2023

By Nikki Cabus

Palm Beach County-based Carrier named a TIME World’s Best Company

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Carrier has been named to TIME’s inaugural World’s Best Companies 2023 list.
For the first time ever, TIME partnered with data and business intelligence platform Statista to rank the biggest tech companies around the world doing best for investors, employees, and the planet. TIME is recognizing the top performing companies globally based on employee satisfaction, revenue growth and sustainability.

“Being named to TIME’s World’s Best Companies list in its first year is a testament to Carrier’s exceptional employees and their commitment to delivering innovative, intelligent climate and energy solutions for our global customers,” said Carrier Chairman & CEO David Gitlin.

“Long-term secular trends are transforming our industry, and we are leaning in as an industry leader uniquely positioned to solve our customers’ most important challenges. The result has been a galvanized workforce focused on a compelling mission, a supportive customer base eager for solutions, and a positive impact on our planet for generations to come.”
The World’s Best Companies 2023 is a research project and comprehensive analysis conducted to identify the top 750 performing companies across the globe. The study was based on three primary dimensions: Employee Satisfaction, Revenue Growth, and Sustainability (ESG) and tapped into areas such as the company’s image, atmosphere, working conditions, salary and equality. Companies that demonstrated positive revenue growth from 2020 to 2022 were considered, and multiple key performance indicators such as sustainable solutions, people and communities were incorporated.
  • Employee Satisfaction was evaluated through global surveys involving approximately 150,000 participants from 58 countries. The assessment included both direct and indirect employer evaluations by verified employees.
  • Revenue Growth was assessed using Statista’s database. To qualify, companies needed to generate a minimum of US $100 million in 2022 and demonstrate positive growth from 2020 to 2022. Both relative and absolute growth metrics were considered.
  • Sustainability was evaluated using ESG data from Statista’s database and targeted research. Multiple Key Performance Indicators were used to create a comprehensive ESG index. These included carbon emissions intensity and reduction rate, Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) rating, board gender diversity, existence of a human rights policy, and adherence to Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) guidelines.

As Carrier expands its portfolio of intelligent climate and energy solutions, it is accelerating the shift toward electrification, more connected technologies and environmentally responsible refrigerants. Carrier’s recently announced portfolio transformation with the acquisition of Viessmann Climate Solutions will position the company to better help customers reduce their carbon footprint and meet their sustainability goals by improving energy efficiency in buildings, in homes and across the cold chain.

Headquartered in Palm Beach Gardens, Carrier is a global leader in building and cold chain solutions innovating to address the needs of people and our planet. The company promotes the health and safety of indoor spaces where people live, work, learn and play, and help preserve, protect and extend the supply of food and medicine across the globe. Carrier is taking action to address climate change with our partners and customers.

To learn more about Carrier, visit www.corporate.carrier.com.
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17
Sep, 2023

By Nikki Cabus

ModMed doubles down on efforts to empower young girls in tech with Pace Center for Girls Broward

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ModMed and Pace Center for Girls Broward double down on their efforts to empower high school girls and promote the technology industry. This collaboration seeks to inspire the next generation of female technologists and expand their horizons when it comes to career opportunities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

ModMed’s Women in Innovation & Technology, or “mmWIT,” is focused on advancing women in STEM fields by fostering diversity and inclusion within the tech sector. mmWIT is an Employee Resource Group that provides support, mentorship, and resources to empower women in technology-related careers. This program develops and enables women to lead and innovate as they grow in their professional careers. mmWIT hosts educational panel discussions, mentoring events, networking gatherings, book clubs and community outreach programs. Through mmWIT, ModMed strives to establish a strong community for women to reach their highest potential.

Pace Center for Girls envisions a world where all girls and young women have power, in a just and equitable society. Founded in 1985, Pace provides free year-round middle and high school academics, case management, counseling, and life skills development in a safe and supportive environment that recognizes and deals with past trauma and builds upon girls’ individual strengths. Dedicated to meeting the social, emotional, and educational needs of girls, Pace has a successful and proven program model that has changed the life trajectory of more than 40,000 girls and is recognized as one of the nation’s leading advocates for girls in need.

For more than four years, mmWIT and Pace Center for Girls Broward have worked hand in hand to champion women in STEM.

An early effort was mmWIT’s 2018 Fashion Show to raise funds for the Pace Center for Girls Broward. ModMed’s employees received a casting call and the response was amazing. As if strutting their stuff down the catwalk for a good cause wasn’t enough, the model who sold the most raffle tickets won a prize: an outfit they wore on the runway. That event raised over $4000 for the Pace Center for Girls.

Their joint efforts are designed to introduce high school girls to the vast potential of a tech career and encourage more women to pursue opportunities in this dynamic industry. By broadening the perspectives of young women, this collaboration not only advances women in STEM but also motivates them to explore the myriad of possibilities available at forward-thinking companies like ModMed®.

Headquartered in Boca Raton, ModMed is transforming healthcare around the countryy by placing doctors and patients at the center of care through an intelligent, specialty-specific cloud platform. With our electronic health records (EHR) and practice management (PM) systems, and our patient engagement and revenue cycle management (RCM) services, our all-in-one solution empowers specialty medical practices by providing clinical, financial and operational software solutions. Our staff physicians help to develop products and services for allergy, dermatology, gastroenterology, OBGYN, ophthalmology, orthopedics, otolaryngology, pain management, plastic surgery, podiatry and urology practices, as well as ambulatory surgery centers.

The “Life After High School” Event: Inspiring and Equipping the Next Generation

The “Life After High School” event is a standout collaboration between mmWIT and Pace Center for Girls Broward. Esteemed women from the technology industry come together to share their insights and personal journeys with the students. The panel discussion covers a wide range of essential topics, including effective communication skills, professionalism in the tech industry, the transition from high school to the professional world, and the art of collaboration with individuals from diverse backgrounds. Through these discussions, the aim is to provide the young audience with the valuable knowledge they need to seize limitless opportunities and excel in their chosen paths.

Rose Anderson, Career & College Readiness Coordinator at Pace Center for Girls Broward, expressed her enthusiasm for the collaboration with mmWIT, saying, “This event perfectly aligns with our mission to empower girls and equip them with the necessary skills and confidence to thrive in their future careers. We are immensely grateful to ModMed for their unwavering support and commitment to advancing women in STEM.”

The panelists, accomplished women with diverse backgrounds in technology, will leverage their expertise and experiences to engage and inspire the Pace girls. Through this event, ModMed and Pace Center for Girls Broward aim to provide young women with the skills and confidence they need to flourish in their future careers.

Breaking Barriers

Girls aspiring to enter the tech field sometimes struggle due to factors such as the lack of visible role models, gender stereotypes and biases, a lack of support and encouragement, and the challenge of maintaining work-life balance. To address these issues, it is important to provide girls with mentorship, promote diversity and inclusivity and ensure equal access to education and resources.

The collaboration between mmWIT and Pace Center for Girls Broward represents a significant stride toward creating a more inclusive and diverse tech industry. By inspiring and empowering high school girls, this collaboration aims to pave the way for a new generation of female technologists who will drive innovation and contribute to a more equitable future. Together, they are dismantling barriers, breaking stereotypes, and creating a brighter and more inclusive tomorrow for women in technology.

Jodi Sherman, senior manager of customer success operations at ModMed and the President of mmWIT, shared her views on how the collaboration with the Pace Center for Girls Broward is making a difference. Sherman stated, “By sharing our experiences and knowledge, we hope to ignite the passion and curiosity of these high school girls, encouraging them to pursue careers in the technology industry. We firmly believe that by increasing the representation of women in STEM, we can drive innovation and create a more inclusive and diverse future.”

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17
Sep, 2023

By Nikki Cabus

CIC Miami is elevating the future of BioTech and Life Sciences in South Florida

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Seven BioTech and Life Sciences startups were welcomed into CIC’s International Soft Landing Program. 

CIC’s international Soft Landing just ended 22 hours of master classes led by 10 well-connected facilitators with 7 Startups as part of the BIG in BIO program from The Ganesha Lab, a global accelerator for Latin American science and technology-based startups.

Cambridge Innovation Center, or “CIC,” is a global leader in building and operating innovation campuses that support the growth of entrepreneurs and startups. Founded in 1999 with a single location in Kendall Square, the company now operates more than 1 million square feet of shared workspace, wet labs, and event space in the US, Europe, and Asia. Its collaborative work environments support thousands of individuals in the for-profit and nonprofit sectors who are focused on innovating solutions to local and global problems.

In partnership with The Ganesha Lab, the recent cohort attracted startups from diverse origins and six different countries including Chile, Argentina, Mexico, Brazil, United Kingdom and the United States representing a “global melting pot of talent.”

“International Soft Landing has changed the trajectory of dozens of entrepreneurs by giving them the skills and unique tools needed for an international organization to grow and make a splash in the U.S. economy,” said Alejandra Winter, Director of CIC’s International Soft Landing.

Established in 2016, International Soft Landing is a CIC platform program designed to support entrepreneurs with mid-sized companies who desire to expand their operations into the U.S. It’s an opportunity for entrepreneurs to gain cultural and practical understanding of business in the U.S. through an immersive experience.

The cohort provides unique programming developed specifically to help applicants gain the skills and knowledge needed to expand in the U.S., develop a broader business network, and meet potential investors and U.S.-based mentors. This program is especially equipped to support startups in tech industries, such as fintech, biotech, and edtech, given CIC’s deep roots and connections in the innovation economy.

This cohort included startups from The Ganesha Lab on a mission to redefine healthcare and sustainability through innovative solutions addressing some of the most pressing challenges of our time in the fields of BioTech, Diagnostics, Healthcare Access, and FoodTech. Having had success in securing funding in Latin America, these startups demonstrate the real potential for growth in the U.S. market and their readiness for global expansion.

The Ganesha Lab is a global biotech scaleup for science and technology-based startups in Latin America with the aim of “better understanding culture and responsiveness of evolving humans, connecting the worlds of science, biotech, entrepreneurs and people.”

“We are confident that the knowledge gained from exceptional mentors during this experience will play a pivotal role in their internationalization journey,” The Ganesha Lab wrote in a recent social media post.

Meet the startups and their leadership here:

  1. AQUIT | Improve natural immunity in fish with an innovative and non-invasive treatment to prevent infections during production.
  2. Biogea | Promotion of an environmentally friendly organic agriculture through a groundbreaking safe and sustainable liquid solution.
  3. DELEE | A state-of-the-art technology that isolates and analyzes circulating tumor cells from the blood, allowing the effective detection of early-stage cancer.
  4. Hedonix | A breakthrough method of producing ingredients for food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical markets, through unconventional microorganisms and CRISPR.
  5. innovai | Delay of microbiological spoilage in salmon fillets through a product that prolongs the preservation and freshness of salmon fillets.
  6. TREARS Biomarkers | Detection of chronic diseases, such as depression and diabetes, among others, through the study of earwax.
  7. Synergic Bio Solutions | Francisco Rivera, José Luis Flores – Fighting osteoporosis through ionic calcium and microencapsulated vitamin D, ensuring the delivery of these minerals directly to the bones.

But the collaboration with The Ganesha Lab goes beyond the cohort, for the second year in a row we are working together to bring the BIOHUNT Summit Miami 2023. Where early-stage biotech startups will meet with key industry players and investors, from the US, Europe and Latam. On November 7th and 8th, The Ganesha Lab and CIC will bring Biohunt Summit 2023 to Miami.

The 2022 summit brought out over 250 people. The event sought to make the potential of Latin American biotech startups visible in the U.S. market and generate connections to transform science into a good business. The venue served as a perfect place for attendees to connect and build the initial bonds during the brunch that kicked off the event, to then be followed by the presentations of the startups in the dolphin tanks.

The first day, which will take place at the Rubell Museum, will be focused on investors and the potential relationships they can create with the founders of the startups. This engagement will unfold through two sessions of dolphin tanks with stellar presentations and the participation of extraordinary speakers.

On the second day, the activities will move to the Mana Tech Auditorium, and the activities aim to give startups the opportunity to surround themselves with industry experts to better understand the dynamics of setting up in the United States. Stay tuned for more info and registration opening soon!

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06
Sep, 2023

By Nikki Cabus

GOVO Venture Partners Co-Leads $5M Seed Round in Climate-Tech Startup Kind Designs

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GOVO Venture Partners, along with M4 Investing and the Florida Opportunity Fund, is co-leading a $5M seed investment round in Miami-based Kind Designs.

This is the third portfolio company investment GOVO has made since announcing the launch of its venture fund, GOVO Fund I, in January.

It’s estimated that by the year 2100, Miami will be completely submerged by water by 6 – 10 feet “resulting in mass migration,$217 Billion in lost homes and Miami being submerged,” according to the Kind Designs. Empowering nature with technology, Kind Designs is a climate-tech startup that’s addressing rising sea-levels by revolutionizing the outdated and traditionally toxic seawall construction industry.

Through its use of innovative,  patent-pending 3D printing technology, and eco-friendly materials, Kind Designs is producing the world’s first 3D-printed Living Seawalls™️. The Living Seawalls™️ mimic coral reefs and mangroves which protect coastal communities from floods and storm surges, while creating marine habitats that host biodiversity and improve the quality of the water, The Living Seawalls sequester carbon and collect essential water quality data through embedded sensors.

Anya Freeman, Kind Design’s founder and CEO shared, ”we are thrilled to have a Florida-based firm with deep roots in the community and government expertise lead our round, enabling us to protect all coastal cities with Kind’s Living Seawalls and grow far beyond our home state of Florida.”

In a recent social media post, Anya also shared this sentiment, “Your team of investors knows how to get stuff done. It’s GO TIME in Miami!!”

Rob Panepinto, GOVO’s managing general partner, said of the investment, “In response to sea level rise, government agencies throughout the world will seek to adopt policy and guidance for ecologically responsible sea walls. By applying its proprietary and innovative technology, Kind Designs is setting the standard and solving a global problem. We look forward to collaborating with our co-investors and the Kind Designs team as they work to become the market leader in the space.”

 

GOVO Venture Partners is a Winter Park, Florida based company. GOVO Fund I is a venture fund that invests, seed round through series A, in early stage companies for which doing business with government or navigating government regulations is an important success factor.

4 Investing is a Florida based family office that owns and operates a diverse portfolio of companies. The firm also invests in real estate, private equity funds, and direct venture capital.

Earlier this summer, The Florida Venture Forum and co-host, Space Florida, hosted the 2023 Aerospace + EmergingTech Forum awarding over $200,000 in cash and VC investment and Kind Designs took home $40,000. In addition to the cash prizes awarded, DeepWork Capital, an early-stage venture capital firm based in Orlando, is announced they will also invest in Kind Designs.

Read more here.

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05
Sep, 2023

By Nikki Cabus

South Florida Water Management District announced Florida Crystals exceeds 2023 clean water goals

Read Time 3 Minutes

Florida Crystals and neighboring farmers in the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) have been recognized once again for outperforming clean water goals.

Just last month, the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) announced that in Water Year 2023 EAA farmers exceeded the 2023 clean water goals. A “water year” is a 12 month period that extends from October 1st to September 30th. The water year is designated by the calendar year in which it ends. The current water year is 2023.

As Florida Crystals partnership in Everglades restoration nears 30 years, EAA farmers achieved a 63% reduction in phosphorus in – more than double the 25% goal set forth in the Everglades Forever Act. The Everglades Forever Act is a Florida law passed in 1994 designed to restore the Everglades.

According to the Florida Department of Environmental Education, “The long-term water quality objective for the Everglades is to implement the optimal combination of source controls, stormwater treatment areas, advanced treatment technologies and regulatory programs to ensure that all waters discharged to the Everglades Protection Area achieve water quality standards consistent with the EFA. The Restoration Planning and Permitting Section of the Bureau of Assessment and Restoration Support is responsible for coordinating with DEP staff, state and federal agencies, industry representatives and other groups on permitting activities required under the EFA.”

The Everglades Forever Act requires the state of Florida to:

  • Restore and protect the Everglades ecological system.
  • Authorize the district to proceed expeditiously with implementation of the Everglades program.
  • Reduce excessive levels of phosphorus.
  • Pursue comprehensive and innovative solutions to the issues of water quality, water quantity, hydroperiod and invasions of non-native species that affect the Everglades ecosystem.
  • Expedite plans and programs for improving water quantity reaching the Everglades.
  • Provide a sufficient period for construction, testing and research so that the benefits of the Everglades Construction Project will be determined and maximized prior to requiring additional measures.
  • Achieve the water quality goals of the Everglades program through implementation of stormwater treatment areas and best management practices, e.g., the best available phosphorus reduction technology.
  • Pursue the Everglades Construction Project expeditiously but with flexibility so that superior technology may be utilized most effectively when available.

“We are proud of our science-based farming practices,” said Jaime Vega, Vice President of Agriculture. “Our regenerative farming philosophy ensures we continue to supply homegrown foods while enhancing our soil and protecting our surrounding ecosystem.”

Further demonstrating EAA farmers’ success this year, data from the SFWMD showed that water flowing south from the EAA was cleaner than when it arrived on Florida Crystal’s farms from Lake Okeechobee. This highlights not only the effectiveness of Florida Crystals Regenerative Organic Certified® practices, but also the role of sugarcane – one of nature’s most sustainable crops – at absorbing nutrients from irrigation water.

Florida Crystals’ sustainable farming practices have been vital to helping EAA farmers achieve and outperform the nation’s strictest water-quality standard for 28 years, with an average long-term phosphorus reduction of 57%.

Florida Crystals and members of our farming region, the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA), developed and implemented high-tech, on-farm Best Management Practices (BMPs) with researchers from the University of Florida to ensure we protect our natural resources.  Our BMP program has been nationally recognized for its effectiveness in environmental preservation. Regenerative agriculture is front and center each day on Florida Crystals farms.

Florida Crystals Corporation is a fully integrated cane sugar and agriculture company in Palm Beach County. Florida Crystals farms 190,000 acres in South Florida, where it also owns two sugar mills, a sugar refinery, a packaging and distribution center, a rice mill and the largest biomass renewable power plant in North America, which cleanly powers its sugar operations. Florida Crystals was the first and remains the only producer of organic sugar grown and milled in the US.

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04
Sep, 2023

By Nikki Cabus

Successful Ft. Lauderdale-based Enhance Health acquires local JET Health Solutions

Read Time 3 Minutes

JET Health Solutions, the sister company of Ft. Lauderdale-based OZ Digital, recently announced they were acquired by Enhance Health. 

Established in 1997, JET Health Solutions is the healthcare product division of IT systems integrator and consulting firm OZ Digital Consulting. The company is a premier Enhanced Direct Enrollment (EDE) platform and has been equipping healthcare payers and providers with the technology tools they need to surge ahead of the competition in a rapidly changing healthcare marketplace such as break-through automation systems for both payers and providers that boost productivity, improve operational efficiencies, accelerate sales, and bolster the bottom line.

Enhance Health is a digital health insurance brokerage and care navigation platform. The acquisition reinforces Enhance Health’s commitment to serving its members and scaling its operations effectively through technology. Enhance Health was founded in 2021 by industry veteran Matt Herman and backed by Bain Capital Insurance and has experienced rapid growth due to the record number of Americans enrolling in ACA health plans in 2022. Enhance Health has grown its membership base to hundreds of thousands, and is rapidly expanding into other insurance business lines.

Enhance Health has gained much visibility through recent partnerships such as NASCAR, Floyd Mayweather Jr., and the recent official partnership agreement with the Miami Dolphins and Hard Rock Stadium.  The multi-year partnership provides wide-spread visibility for the rapidly growing insurance organization between two offices in the Fort Lauderdale area.

“Enhance Health is committed to helping as many people as possible in South Florida access quality healthcare through great health insurance, often at little or no cost. The partnership with the Miami Dolphins will help us spread the word and ultimately get more people covered, given the team’s widespread popularity and dedicated fan base,” said Matthew Herman, CEO and President of Enhance Health.

“We are thrilled to announce the acquisition of JET Health Solutions. Since Enhance’s founding, we’ve been committed to leveraging technology in new ways to simplify the enrollment process. JET’s advanced EDE platform improves our already best-in-class member and agent experience.”

JET Health Solutions’ flagship product, JET Insure is the enterprise-class online private exchange and marketplace quote-to-card insurance automation platform that empowers health plans to sell multiple lines-of-business — individual/family ACA (on/off-exchange), small group, large group, fully/self/level-funded and specialty products — faster and more profitably, all on a single system leveraging all sales channels including brokers and direct to consumer sales. JET Insure is a single platform for all your insurance products sales, and policy management needs.

With hundreds of thousands of members enrolled in Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans as well as Medicare Advantage plans, Enhance Health has established itself as a trusted partner in the healthcare industry. The acquisition of JET empowers Enhance Health to fully own the enrollment process, enhancing its capabilities and expanding its services with one of the few CMS-certified Phase 3 EDEs available in the market.

“Joining forces with Enhance Health is an exciting opportunity to drive meaningful change in the healthcare industry,” said Asad Shamim, Founder and Managing Partner of JET Health Solutions. “Together, we are well-positioned to revolutionize the enrollment process and improve healthcare access for individuals and families across the nation.”

With partners such as Microsoft, Xamarin, Mulesoft, and IBM, JET Health has successfully equipped healthcare payers and providers with cutting-edge tools to excel in the ever-evolving healthcare marketplace.

“Integrating an EDE into our technology stack solidifies Enhance as the leader in the digital health insurance space,” said Jeff Tang, CIO of Enhance Health. “Fully integrated with our CRM and other agent systems, this platform will fundamentally change the way we interact with our members through streamlined agent workflows, actionable data, and enhanced data security.”

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04
Sep, 2023

By Nikki Cabus

Office Depot Stores Raise Nearly $1.7 Million to Help Teachers and Students

Read Time 4 Minutes

Office Depot just announced that nearly $1.7 million was raised leveraging its retail footprint to help more than 900 Title I public schools get brand new school supplies, classroom furniture, tech and more, just in time for the new school year.

The company partnered with Round It Up America® to enable every Office Depot and OfficeMax store to raise funds to support a Title I public elementary, middle or high school in the store’s local community. As result of this program, nearly $1.7 million was raised from April through June of this year. Stores will continue to support the same local schools through December to help them restock and refresh the supplies they need, well after the start of the new school year.

Some local beneficiary schools will have the chance to participate in free VIP school shopping events to pick up furniture, supplies and more, to help create more comfortable and productive learning environments for students. Others will create wish lists detailing the items they need most, which will then be delivered to them at the school or available for pick up at their local Office Depot or OfficeMax store.

“We’re proud to host this education donation drive in our Office Depot and OfficeMax stores to help connect teachers and staff at Title I schools with the additional resources they need,” said Kevin Moffitt, executive vice president of The ODP Corporation and president of Office Depot. “Thanks to our customers’ generous support of this program, extra supplies, new classroom furniture, tech and more will be directed to hundreds of schools to help encourage a successful new school year.”

The program is an integral part of Office Depot’s Imagine Success™ platform, created to help teachers, parents, students, home office workers and small business owners alike fuel their passions, power their potential and achieve their goals.

Through the new Imagine Success brand platform, the company will capture and share real stories of success, from the epic to the everyday. These stories, along with inspirational videos and articles, informative studies, and helpful strategies, will be amplified throughout Office Depot’s marketing campaigns, social media profiles, officedepot.com, mobile app, and on the company’s content hub, The Stepping Stone. In addition, small business owners, home office workers, teachers, parents and students can tap into experiences with solutions designed just for them – complete with helpful buying guides, pro tips and more to help them unlock their full potential.

“We’re excited to learn how our customers define success, whether it’s acquiring a customer with new marketing materials, creating a productive learning environment where students can thrive or in ways we haven’t yet thought of,” said Wesley Brinkhurst, vice president of marketing for Office Depot. “With the launch of our Imagine Success platform, we plan to engage with our customers differently, learning more about how we can provide innovative solutions, create meaningful connections and put them in the spotlight.”

Start Proud!® Program

The company also helps to support education through The ODP Corporation’s Start Proud!® program, and recently announced that over $2.5 million worth of school supplies and equipment would be provided to students and teachers at Title I public elementary schools across the country.

 

Give Back to Schools Program

And students, parents and teachers who shop online at officedepot.com or in Office Depot and OfficeMax stores can help to support the local school of their choice with any qualifying purchase. Shoppers can simply provide the name or Give Back To Schools ID number of their desired school at checkout (in store or online) and their designated school will receive 5% back in credits for free supplies, through the Give Back to Schools program.

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.

Office Depot, LLC, an operating company of The ODP Corporation, is a leading specialty retailer providing innovative products and services delivered through a fully integrated omnichannel platform of Office Depot and OfficeMax retail stores and an award-winning online presence, OfficeDepot.com, to support the productivity and organization of its small business, home office and education clients. Office Depot is committed to enabling its clients’ success, strengthening local communities and providing equal opportunities for all.

Visit officedepot.com or speak with a friendly store associate at a local Office Depot or OfficeMax store to learn more.

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04
Sep, 2023

By Nikki Cabus

Miami agtech startup Envonics acquired by world leader RussKap

Read Time 5 Minutes

Miami-based agtech startup Envonics announces their recent acquisition by world leader RussKap.

Founded in 2019, Envonics has become a leading provider of precision agriculture solutions that enable farmers to achieve optimal crop yields through real-time monitoring, optimization, and data-driven insights. By combining cutting-edge AI-powered technology with a deep understanding of agriculture, Envonics empowers farmers to make informed decisions that enhance productivity, sustainability, and resource efficiency.

This acquisition brings together two major industry players with a shared commitment to revolutionizing sustainable solutions with cutting-edge innovation. Diversifying into agricultural solutions is also a new milestone in RussKap Water’s business and product strategy, bringing new revenue opportunities to the company.

RussKap Water is the world leader in Atmospheric Water Generation (AWG) technology developing advanced AWG systems to produce clean water from the moisture in the air. With a strong focus on quality, sustainability, and efficiency, RussKap Water has become a trusted provider of Atmospheric Water Generation solutions across various sectors, including military, commercial, and residential applications.

The current market base of RussKap consists mainly of industrial, commercial, military, and residential clients in over 40 countries. By integrating Envonics’ product offering with Atmospheric Water Generation, RussKap Water will be able to better develop and serve its agricultural market.

RussKap Water and Envonics bring together top-tier research and development teams and diverse experience in their respective fields. With this acquisition, RussKap Water will expand its market base, providing clients with advanced water solutions for controlled environment agriculture. Envonics will dramatically accelerate its growth trajectory and improve its product offering with new capabilities while continuing to deliver on its commitment to small and enterprise farms.

“Envonics is at the forefront of data-driven agricultural solutions with an exceptional product offering. Integrating our innovative AWG systems with their technology stack will make a tremendous impact in advancing sustainable farming practices” said Ed Russo, CEO at RussKap Water.

Widely recognized as a premier developer in AWG technology, RussKap Water serves as the largest supplier of AWGs to the US military and Department of Defense. With a proven track record in providing high-quality atmospheric water solutions, RussKap Water has transformed the landscape of water sourcing by harnessing the fully-renewable supply of water in air to generate clean and healthy drinking water at the point of need. The company’s revolutionary AWG systems utilize an internal ozone water treatment system to produce drinking water that exceeds global health standards all while greatly simplifying the process of accessing clean drinking water.

“We are thrilled to welcome Envonics into the RussKap Water family,” said Yehuda Kaploun, President at RussKap Water. “Envonics is transforming controlled environment agriculture and by combining our advanced water generation technology with their precision agriculture solutions, we can provide farmers with a comprehensive toolkit to improve their water and crop management needs on all fronts.”

Since its inception, Envonics has been dedicated to supporting farmers worldwide with state-of-the-art precision agriculture solutions. Its primary offering – Envonics Vertical Ecosystem (eVE) – is a plug and play solution that collects real-time crop data and utilizes an AI cloud ecosystem to automatically optimize irrigation and crop environments. By monitoring and optimizing crop conditions in real time, Envonics empowers farmers with actionable insights that maximize yields, enhance sustainability, and improve overall efficiency.

In recognition of the company’s important progress, Envonics was recently awarded a competitive research grant from the National Science Foundation. Their innovative system has set a new standard for precision agriculture, ushering in a new era of data-driven farming practices.

Customers can expect to see this system integrated with RussKap Atmospheric Water Generators (AWGs) which will allow growers to determine and maintain the best minerals, water content, and soil composition to make crops grow as quickly and as healthy as possible. RussKap customers can expect to see this included in RussKap’s product offering as they integrate their water from air technology into comprehensive water solutions for agricultural clients.

Lior Barhai, Co-Founder and CEO at Envonics said, “Our mission has always been to enable farmers to maximize the quality, sustainability, and efficiency of their agricultural operations, and we are delighted to join forces with the team at RussKap Water, who share that passion. This deal will enable Envonics to leverage RussKap Water’s scale and expertise to further develop our technology and deliver value to our clients at a faster pace. We look forward to continuing our advancements in data-driven agricultural solutions and are ready to hit the ground running.”

RussKap’s resources will allow Envonics to advance their goals much more rapidly than possible alone. The acquisition has given the Envonics team increased bandwidth that will allow them to expand R&D, improve product offering, and ultimately reach more customers. The joint efforts of RussKap Water and Envonics will lead to the development of innovative solutions that optimize water usage, increase crop yield, and reduce environmental impact. This collaboration will greatly contribute to achieving global goals of improving food security, water access, and sustainability, ensuring more efficient agricultural solutions for future generations.

Lior shared that he realize this was the right opportunity for Envonics when he thought about how RussKap’s mission was so very aligned with their own and how “our combined efforts will lead to better innovations in providing healthy food and healthy water for the world. Additionally, RussKap is a company with global reach and recognition, and is always innovating and looking to integrate emerging technologies. Their world leading AWG systems were the missing link in stabilizing water minerals content for our solutions.”

RussKap Water will become the sole shareholder of Envonics, which will continue to operate as an independent brand and business unit led by Co-Founder and CEO Lior Barhai. Some members of the Envonics team will stay on and RussKap will be bringing new members to the team as well. RussKap is currently a privately held company; no financial information was shared.

“The emerging tech environment in South Florida has been a great aid,” stated Lior. “There is a loud community here and a lot of public interest which has greatly assisted in our growth. The ability to grow year round in South Florida has also been a great help.”

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23
Aug, 2023

By Nikki Cabus

Boca Raton-based Premier Virtual acquired by global Careerminds

Read Time 3 Minutes

Today, Premier Virtual announced that the company has been acquired by the global firm Careerminds.

Recognized among the “Top 100 Companies to Work for in Florida,” Premier Virtual is a multifunctional software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform designed to bridge the gap between technology and human interaction. Founded in 2019 by Steve Edwards, a longtime recruiter and industry pioneer, the company enables organizations to host virtual job fairs and online hiring events more efficiently and effectively.

Careerminds was founded in 2008 as a contemporary provider of global outplacement services combining cutting-edge AI job search technology with personalized, one-on-one career coaching for all job levels across any geographic location around the world. Their modern approach allows the company to deliver industry leading metrics that result in job seekers landing in new jobs in an average of less than 12 weeks.

Premier Virtual enables Careerminds to expand its outplacement capabilities through a virtual-recruitment platform that offers greater functionality and utility, while fostering a more personal connection between job seekers and employers.

“With the ever-evolving shift to hybrid and remote work, job seekers and employers alike are seeking an innovative outplacement approach that’s aligned with the new world of work, and in a more meaningful, personalized way,” said Raymond Lee, Founder & President of Careerminds.

“Acquiring Premier Virtual allows us to offer a more robust, one-stop solution of unparalleled capabilities and technology to better support our global outplacement platform, clients, and participants in career transition.”

Careerminds’ newly acquired asset, Premier Virtual, provides unique competitive advantages such as enhanced user analytics, as well as the interactive ability to chat one-on-one or launch a video interview, directly through the platform. Catering to virtual job fairs and hybrid events, the virtual-recruitment platform’s in-depth analytics offer key insights into user behavior which then can be exported to clients’ CRM and applicant tracking systems (ATS), streamlining the hiring process and eliminating the friction of converting data into a new system.

“Since launching in 2019, Premier Virtual has always been a future-focused company, leveraging the latest innovations to provide our clients with the most successful solutions,” said Steven Edwards, Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of Premier Virtual. “Through this acquisition, we can continue to transform the outplacement and recruiting industry by fueling the intersection of leading technology with the human experience.”

Prior to the inception of Premier Virtual, Steve spent just shy of a decade working in-person career fairs and in 2019 took the leap to build his startup. Following changing trends in the industry, Steve knew he had something special. Steve joined the 1909 accelerator program, FAU Tech Runway’s Venture Class 8, and a member of South Florida Tech Hub hosting one it’s first official virtual career fair with the nonprofit mid-pandemic – when everything went remote!

Steve Edwards has since become an expert speaker in the space of remote work, the future of work, and remote hiring. He has been a TEDx Boca Raton speaker and featured in prestigious media outlets such as Forbes. Premier Virtual has won multiple awards and received many recognitions for their innovation.

To date, Premier Virtual’s platform has powered over 7,000 virtual hiring events, which has helped more than 70,000 companies connect with over one million job seekers in all 50 states. The company has worked with higher education institutions, government entities, nonprofits, workforce development agencies, health systems and more across the country.

Under the acquisition terms, Steve will remain the President at Premier Virtual and retain most of the company’s staff. The platform will now be able to target even more job seekers connecting them directly to hiring companies no matter what state the are in. To learn more about Premier Virtual, click here. 

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