Miami’s vibrant hues aren’t just from its sun-soaked beaches and art-deco buildings—they bleed into a rapidly evolving tech scene where Miami startups are the pulsing heart of innovation.
In the cradle of South Florida’s tech boom, entrepreneurs aren’t just riding the wave; they’re the creators, steering toward uncharted economic waters with ideas bold enough to make waves of their own.
This piece peels back the sultry skyline to reveal a hidden landscape where venture capital, innovative districts, and an entrepreneurial community thrive amidst palm trees and metropolitan buzz.
It’s an ecosystem rich with opportunity, fueled by resources from The LAB Miami to eMerge Americas, where every meet up might just spark the next big tech disruption.
You’re here, so you mean business. Dive in, and you’ll savor the stories behind Miami’s economic surge, decode the structure of its startup culture, and snag insider insights on securing that seed funding.
By the final lines, you’ll master this tropical tech paradise, with savvy to navigate its richest currents.
Miami Startups
Startup | Industry | Key Product or Service | Notable Achievements |
---|---|---|---|
TravelPerk | Travel | Business travel booking platform | Raised over $134M |
Yuga Labs | Technology & Arts | NFT Creations (e.g., Bored Ape Yacht Club) | $450M valuation of $4B |
LifeHouse | Hospitality | Boutique hotel brand and management | Raised $100M in debt and equity |
MoonPay | Fintech | Cryptocurrency payment solutions | Raised over $555M |
KEO World | Edtech | Educational technology solutions | – |
Lula | Insurance | Insurance tech for car-sharing and fleets | Raised $18M in Series A |
Papa | Healthtech | Elder care and assistance platform | Raised over $91M |
Revelo | Workforce management | Latin American tech talent platform | Raised $15M Series B |
HealthCare.com | Healthtech | Health insurance marketplace and tech | Raised $100M Series C |
Heru | Biotech | Wearable technology for vision enhancement | – |
Recurrent | Transportation | EV battery reports on used cars | Raised $3.5M seed funding |
Arist | Edtech | Text-based learning platform | Raised $1.9M seed funding |
Taxfyle | Fintech | Tax filing services | Raised $2M from investors |
Ugami | Fintech/Gaming | Financial services for gamers | – |
PicsArt | Digital Arts | Photo editing and social sharing platform | Raised $130M from investors |
Honorlock | Edtech | Online proctoring services | Raised $11.5M Series A |
OppZo | Fintech | Small business lending platform | Raised $5M in seed funding |
GreenLight | Fintech | Payments technology for families | Raised $55M Series B |
SmartBarrel | Construction | Workforce management solution | – |
Influur | Marketing | Influencer marketing platform | – |
Neocis | Healthtech | Robotic guidance systems for dentistry | Raised $72M Series D |
Bio-Tissue | Biotech | Tissue-based regenerative therapies | – |
aXpire | SaaS | Expense management software | Funded by LSG, SaaS Ventures |
DoorLoop | Proptech | Property management software | – |
TravelPerk
Many business travellers find it burdensome, thus TravelPerk has created a streamlined client experience. Businesses may create travel policies, keep track of trip data, and get a single invoice for each booking using an all-encompassing platform.
The customer care team at TravelPerk is renowned for responding in under a minute to immediately address any difficulties that may arise. With the largest travel inventory in the world, robust management tools, round-the-clock customer service, cutting-edge technology, and consumer-grade design, TravelPerk helps businesses all over the world make the most of their trips.
Yuga Labs
Miami-based startup Yuga Labs was established in 2021 and is now situated there. The company’s primary source of income is from the creation of NFTs and digital collectibles on behalf of numerous different businesses and people.
The network, which is based on the ApeCoin DAO, has grown quickly over the past 12 months. The company has only received seed money once, in March 2022, since its founding. As a result of this investment round, the company was able to reach agreements with 36 different investors.
As a result of this investment, Yuga Labs was able to raise $450 Million in total. Two purchases have also been made by the business.
LifeHouse
The maker of a chain of technologically advanced hotels is LifeHouse. It manages a chain of hotels and sources properties through long-term agreements. The hotels have restaurants and bars.
They offer conveniences including in-room speakers, name-brand shampoos, linens, and entertainment systems. Rami Zeidan established Life House in 2017 with the goal of reinventing high-touch, regionally-focused lifestyle hotels.
After a successful career in the luxury and boutique hotel industry, Rami was ready to design a customised hospitality experience that would encourage regular, meaningful travel.
MoonPay
A financial technology startup called MoonPay develops the infrastructure for cryptocurrency payments. With the help of their on-and-off-ramp suite of products, users of all popular payment methods, such as debit and credit cards, local bank transfers, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay, may easily convert between fiat currencies and cryptocurrencies. More than 250 of the most popular wallets, websites, and applications trust MoonPay to process payments and fight fraud. MoonPay operates in more than 160 countries.
KEO World
KEO World (KEO), a cutting-edge FinTech company founded in 2020, supports Buyers and Suppliers in accelerating business growth through all-digital inventory financing and B2B payment solutions.
KEO is based in Miami, Florida, and through its Global Trade programme, it operates in the United States, Mexico, and throughout LATAM. The product lines offered by KEO are made to: Improve working capital; Enhance purchasing power; and Optimize cross-border payments.
Lula
The Lula team is constructing an API-based insurance infrastructure to transform the way businesses acquire and manage insurance. Its solution allows firms to insure assets by individual episodes, analyse risk profiles by more than 70+ risk measures, and handle claims and policies.
They put everything together that is needed to create and sustain a workable insurance scheme. With the use of LULA’s technology, rental car agencies, shipping and logistics firms, car-sharing websites, military personnel renting cars, and everything in between, may all offer insurance.
Papa
Papa provides senior adults with on-demand help. The organisation matches senior citizens with “Papa Pals” who assist them with transportation, housework, errands, and even technology classes. The software allows seniors to seek volunteers, pick a time and date, and keep track of their experiences.
The first and only on-demand assistance service for elders is called Papa. Our amiable, dependable team members, Papa Pals, who make wonderful social experiences for you and your elderly loved ones, are available to Papa members.
Revelo
Revelo is a Miami-based startup that was established in 2015 and is still based there. With more than 100,000 engineers using its platform to hunt for opportunities, the company makes it simple to recruit and find the top tier of remote, pre-vetted technical talent in the US market.
As a result, numerous international developers are given the chance to advance in their careers. The business has received startup investment four times since its founding. In October 2021, the final of these investment rounds occurred. The company has been able to sign agreements with a total of eight investors thanks to these investment rounds. The sum total of these investments has made it possible for the business to raise $33.7 Million.
HealthCare.com
HealthCare.com is an online tool for comparing health insurance policies. It offers users tools for searching, comparing, and making recommendations for people seeking medical treatment. For personalised private products, it makes use of artificial intelligence and machine learning technology.
HealthCare.com has transformed how people purchase for health insurance since 2014 and has become one of America’s fastest-growing insurtech companies. The business has created specialised, proprietary solutions using cutting-edge technology and data science to better meet consumer needs, increase customer satisfaction, and remove some of the uncertainty and inefficiencies associated with purchasing insurance.
Heru
For usage with commercially accessible AR/VR head-mounted displays, Heru has created patented autonomous AI-powered vision diagnostics and augmentation software that may be downloaded. Double vision, visual distortions, and visual field impairments are all automatically diagnosed by the diagnostic programme.
The app then uses AI to instantly fix users’ eyesight flaws. The only cross-platform solution that can autonomously assess vision deficiencies and individually augment each user’s vision depending on their particular vision flaws is Heru’s downloadable AR/VR software.
Recurrent
A digital media company called Recurrent creates content from reputable brands with the goal of fostering generations of fervent fans across enthusiast verticals. More than 65 million unique visitors are engaged each month by its best-in-class brands, including Popular Science, Domino, Futurism, Outdoor Life, The Drive, Donut Media, Field & Stream, SAVEUR, and Task & Purpose.
The portfolio, which was first established in 2018 with the acquisition of The Drive, quickly grew to include more than 28 digital media brands spanning the automotive, home, outdoors, science, lifestyle, specialised, and military verticals under the ownership and support of North Equity. Recurrent’s headquarters are in Miami, and company also has offices in Austin, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco in addition to a nationwide virtual workforce.
Arist
Inspired by Stanford research, Arist works with top businesses to use Teams, Slack, and text message-based courses to give learning, training, and nudges in the work flow. Arist is a pioneer in reaching students where they are, and it is used by over 10% of the Fortune 500.
The 1,200-character idea or case study “blocks” in message-based courses are texted to the user each morning for 5–30 days. Each block is allowed to contain photos, GIFs, and evaluations. Message-based courses have completion and satisfaction rates of over 90% thanks to cutting-edge research from Stanford and UPenn (vs. 5% for video courses).
Taxfyle
With the use of Taxfyle’s tax software, people and businesses may connect with experts who can file their taxes immediately. The business has a network of CPAs and EAs in the US who are prepared to finish tax returns and ensures that each one has through a background investigation.
CPAs who want to supplement their income can apply to become “Taxfyle Pros,” while accounting firms that want to expand their clientele can send the company compliance work. Taxfyle’s apps and APIs connect you with the best accountants to fit your needs, whether you’re an individual looking to file your taxes or an accounting firm looking to outsource tens of thousands of returns to domestic tax specialists.
Ugami
Ugami is a Miami-based startup that was established in 2021 and is still running out of the same location. The company offers debit and credit cards that let users receive discounts and rewards on gaming-related goods, such as subscriptions, hardware, and software.
This financial solution was developed with gamers in mind. The company has only received startup investment once since its founding, and that fundraising round was in April 2022. Five investors in all provided support for this round of investment. The company has successfully raised $4.8 Million through agreements with these five investors.
PicsArt
An app-based photo and video editing platform is called PicsArt. Users can add filters, make collages, share, and do other things with it. Both iOS and Android smartphones can download the software. It makes money from in-app purchases and advertisements. Picsart is a platform that gives creators the ability to improve their passions with user-friendly tools and exclusive content in order to give everyone a creative edge.
Anyone can produce captivating photos and films in a matter of minutes thanks to user-friendly editing tools driven by AI, one of the largest open-source content collections in the world, customizable templates, and an intuitive user interface. On their platform, creators produce a wide range of material, including hot social media posts, e-commerce shop images, and podcast covers.
Honorlock
Honorlock provides a remote proctoring service for students, assisting schools and universities in growing their online programmes. By offering simple and efficient on-demand customised testing options, they want to make distance learning more convenient.
Honorlock technology has received numerous business honours since 2013. The business is now thrilled to collaborate with Florida Atlantic University’s Tech Runway Business-Accelerator programme.
OppZo
OppZo is a FinTech business with a purpose to democratise access to reasonable operating cash. The OppZo team is made up of ex-government contractors, seasoned capital allocators, and business owners who are passionate about creating cutting-edge and mission-aligned financing solutions to support the expansion of small and medium-sized enterprises.
Every business owner, in their opinion, should have access to fair and inexpensive finance when they need it. The way small businesses obtain funding is being reinvented by OppZo. They have venture capital backing and are run by FinTech industry professionals.
GreenLight
The workplace is evolving. In the coming years, the contingent workforce could reach 50%. Spending of $800 billion. Also, the ecosystem is outdated, ineffective, and fragmented. Automation, artificial intelligence, digitising workflows, and the creation of attractive, user-friendly technologies are altering that.
They work with several of the most disruptive online staffing platforms and human marketplaces, making it simple for them to onboard and pay contract/freelance/gig employees. They also work with some of the most well-known companies in the world.
By using GreenLight, businesses can manage and pay their contract and freelance employees in a secure and simple manner. They serve as The Future of Work’s API compliance layer.
SmartBarrel
An IoT-connected construction tool from SmartBarrel is available to automate timekeeping and get rid of labour theft. To track the time of all employees on the jobsite, including your own labour, subcontractors, and temporary labour, SmartBarrel uses biometric facial verification.
Contractors and supervisors may use the gadget to keep an eye on staff and projects, record daily reports, assign tasks, and get immediate weather alerts. The solar-powered SmartBarrel devices provide safe data encryption and theft prevention features.
Influur
Miami-based startup Influur was established there in 2021 and is still headquartered there. The business has set up a platform where social media influencers can submit applications for jobs with numerous brands that are participating in advertising campaigns. Influencers are prevented from abandoning unfinished work by Influur, who only delivers funds after you mark your advertising campaign as successful.
The company has received startup investment twice since its founding, with the most recent round taking place in April 2022. With the help of sixteen investors who collectively invested $5.8 million in Influur over these investment rounds, the company was able to raise this amount.
Neocis
Robotic guidance systems for dental operations are offered by Neocis. It is a computerised navigational system that helps throughout both the preoperative and actual surgical procedures for dental implants. Haptic robotic technology is used in the device to give tactile direction.
For precise angulation during oral treatments, it gives the dental surgeon’s hand a haptic feedback. Neocis, which was established in 2009, is pleased to be the industry’s first and only surgical robotics business. They produce and sell Yomi, a robotic device with FDA clearance that supports clinical teams during all stages of implant insertion.
Bio-Tissue
A division of TissueTech, Inc. called Bio-Tissue creates and distributes regenerative therapies that let doctors in ophthalmology raise the bar for treating the ocular surface. Its main offerings are cryopreserved amniotic membrane and tissue derived from umbilical cords, both of which have shown therapeutic properties that can treat eye surface wounds.
By using its patented CryoTek preservation technique, the company guarantees that the tissue will keep its biologic activity and healing components. The combined transplantation of allografts by Bio-Tissue and its sibling company Amniox Medical amounts to more than 300,000 to date (TissueTech business units).
aXpire
SaaS fintech products created by aXpire aid companies in boosting output and revenues. For hedge funds and private equity, the company created Resolvr, an end-to-end spend management and spending allocation tool that enables users to boost revenue, improve communications, streamline operations, and minimise the need for human labour.
In automating processes, Billr, aXpire’s time-tracking and dictation software, assists law firms and attorneys in documenting and billing for their work.
DoorLoop
DoorLoop is a Miami-based firm that was established in 2019 and keeps its corporate offices there. The business is responsible for developing a software-based solution for managing rental properties that automates operations including tenant screening, collecting rent payments, and accounting for the property owner.
This eliminates a lot of the grunt labour involved in being a landlord. Since its founding, the company has only received one round of startup investment, which was completed in September 2021. DoorLoop had the chance to reach investment agreements with eight investors during this funding round. The company has received $10 million in total from these investors to help it speed its expansion even more.
FAQ On Miami Startups
What’s driving the startup boom in Miami?
Well, it’s like a perfect storm. Miami’s business environment is just right with a mix of venture capital flowing and entrepreneurial spirit skyrocketing.
Plus, there’s serious local government support and a strategic location making Miami a gateway to Latin America. That, and the weather isn’t too shabby, right?
How do Miami startups secure funding?
It starts with an idea that pops. Then, hitting up local angel investor networks like Miami Angels or connecting at events by eMerge Americas. Networking is key.
With a scene that’s teeming with investors hungry for the next big thing, it’s about the pitch and the people as much as the plan.
Can Miami become the next Silicon Valley?
Talk about potential. With the boom of Silicon Beach, Miami’s sporting its own tech swagger. But hey, it’s carving out its unique identity—more diversity, different industries, and a Latin American twist.
We’re not trying to be another Valley; we’re crafting our own startup flavor here.
What resources are available for startups in Miami?
Resources? Loads. From co-working spaces like CIC Miami to coding bootcamps at Wyncode Academy, the city’s stacked with places to build and learn.
Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce has tools galore and programs like The Launch Pad at UM that turn college dreams into business plans.
Where are Miami startups focusing their business efforts?
Diverse as our city, pal. Fintech’s making waves, healthtech’s booming, and we’ve got folks revolutionizing real estate and hospitality, because, Miami.
The appetite for new tech is as hungry as the city is eclectic—and that’s saying something.
What support does Miami give to tech startups?
Miami loves its innovators. Tax incentives, grants from folks like the Knight Foundation, and training programs are here.
Plus, events like Startup Grind get you in with the movers and shakers. City’s all about nurturing growth, giving tech brains every reason to call it home.
How do Miami startups impact the local economy?
They’re the dynamo under the hood of the city. Creating jobs, attracting talent, and bringing in that sweet, sweet investment dough.
They’re transforming neighborhoods too—check out Wynwood. That’s where creativity meets commerce, making the startup scene a powerhouse for Miami’s economic engine.
What challenges do Miami startups face?
Not all sunshine and cafecitos. The same sun that draws talent casts shadows—fierce competition, scaling sustainably, and navigating complex regulations.
Plus, as the city becomes a hot spot, the cost of living and working here spikes. It’s a hustle, and only the grittiest thrive.
How is the tech scene in Miami evolving?
It’s like watching a kid grow up real fast. What was once a few scattered tech meetups is now a full-blown scene, pulsating with creativity.
Miami’s startup ecosystem is rapidly maturing—more events, more co-working spaces, and an entrepreneurial vibe that’s just contagious.
What’s unique about the Miami startup culture?
It’s the blend, you know? A mashup of flavors—Latino, European, American—stirred into one potent mix.
Begin with that fun Miami vibe, throw in some serious ambition, and what do you get? A culture that celebrates both innovation and quality of life. Now that’s a culture I’ll toast to.
Conclusion
Wrapping our minds around the whirlwind that is the Miami startups scene leaves us nothing short of invigorated. We’ve surfed through a sea of ambition where entrepreneurial spirits craft tomorrow’s skyline. The city’s palette is as diverse as its culture—every hue a different industry, every tone a unique idea.
We’ve connected the dots between innovation districts and energetic workspace hubs, each a node in this sprawling network of creativity.
We’ve seen how vital funding streams, from venture capital to angel investors in Miami, fuel these engines of growth.
Miami isn’t just setting trends; it’s redefining the entrepreneurial playbook. Here, startup culture thrives on collaboration, diversity, and the kind of relentless sunshine that seems to spark innovation.
As we sign off, consider this a beginning, not an end. Your journey with Miami’s startup ecosystem is about to unfold—packed with opportunity, alive with potential, and teeming with that distinct Magic City flavor. Dive in—the water’s just fine.
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