Written by Camila Fernandez/News Director
The University has been recognized for its leadership in technology initiatives.
Techweek has announced the 100 most influential tech leaders in South Florida, also including four companies from Broward County, one from Palm Beach County, and about 25 from Miami-Dade, as well as university leaders and those who have launched start-up incubator and accelerators.
“These are the people that are attracting talent, retaining talent and supporting their cities throughout the evolving nature of technology and innovation,” said Katy Lynch, chief executive of Techweek, which hosts a series of technology events and conferences, including Techweek Miami from Dec. 7 to Dec. 12.
Techweek reviews five factors in compiling its list, looking at whether the leader has led innovative technology initiatives for public or private corporations and supported growth in the community as an advisor or mentor.
Other factors include if whether the leader has created a benefit for the public, such as inventing a coding language or leading a civic initiative and helping companies attain capital success and strategic growth.
The University recently hosted, “Startup Weekend Miami,” which is a three-day event that aims to help student entrepreneurs pitch and develop startup ideas. Students are critiqued in 54 hours with the help of developers, designers and entrepreneurs.
“We want [students] to come to the Startup Weekend because we want them to meet with like-minded individuals,” said Saif Ishoof, vice president of the Office of Engagement in a previous interview with student media.
The Knight Innovator in Residence program at the School of Journalism and Mass Communication has also helped to develop media projects.
SJMC and the Knight Foundation have hosted technology conferences at BarCamp Miami in Wynwood’s Miami Ad School where people show up and pitch innovative ideas.
“We are really focusing on innovation and entrepreneurship and digital-first practices because we see that being where our industries are going,” said Philip Tucker, SJMC marketing and communication coordinator in a previous interview with student media.
This year, the College of Engineering & Computing opened an 8,000 square-foot facility in Parking Garage 6. The station includes high-tech classrooms, advising centers and research and computer labs.
In Broward County, the list released Monday, Nov. 23 includes EZ Doctor, founded by David Marsidi; Vigilant Biosciences, founded by Matthew Kim; e-Builder, co-founded by Ron and Jonathan Antevy; and Magic Leap, founded by Rony Abovitz.
In Palm Beach County, Techweek 100 included Modernizing Medicine, represented by co-founder Dan Cane.
The bulk of the companies are in Miami-Dade, including amp.it and founder Derrick Ashong; Bioheart and CEO Mike Tomas; BigBinary and founder Neeraj Singh; CareCloud and chairman Albert Santalo; Class Wallet and founder Jamie Rosenberg; Clutch Prep and co-founders Alain Fontaine and Artem Volos; Criptext and founder Mayer Mizrachi; EveryPost and co-founders Leandro Armas and Fernando Cuscuela; Facilcloud and founder Gerardo Sandoval; Haku and co-founder Jose Escobar; and Klink Technologies and CEO Jeffrey Nadel.
The list also includes those contributing to expanding the region’s tech sector: startup incubators and accelerators in the region including Rokk3r Labs in Miami, Lab Miami; The Launch Pad and Venture Hive; educational efforts including Wyncode; Early Shares, an online platform for fundraising in Miami; social media platforms; technology consultants and staffing firms; and marketing and advertising agencies.
Additional reporting by the Sun Sentinel
camila.fernandez@fiusm.com
Image by: Edwardo Merille, courtesy of Creative Commons
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