1
Ken Griffin donates $2M to Breakthrough Miami
More South Florida students will have the opportunity to gain real-world career and leadership skills thanks to a $2 million gift from Ken Griffin, founder and CEO of Citadel and founder of Griffin Catalyst, his civic philanthropy initiative. The gift will enable Breakthrough Miami, a nonprofit, to expand its nationally recognized Students-Teaching-Students leadership model, creating more opportunities for high school and college students to serve in apprenticeships as Volunteer Teachers, Teaching Assistants, and Teaching Fellows. This approach equips students with the skills they need for success in college, careers, and the knowledge economy, while helping younger Scholars excel academically.
“Breakthrough Miami has a profound impact on the lives of Miami students by teaching them the leadership and learning skills they need to pursue their dreams and aspirations,” said Griffin, in a statement. “I care deeply about the lives of young people, and I am excited to know that my support of Breakthrough Miami will make a meaningful difference in our community.”
Griffin’s gift will support more than 600 high school and college students each year through Breakthrough Miami’s leadership pipeline, while reaching 1,800 Breakthrough Scholars across South Florida. Funding will expand instructional coaching, leadership training, recruitment, evaluation, and program capacity while increasing the number of paid Teaching Assistantships and Teaching Fellowships available to students across South Florida, Breakthrough Miami said. Through their Breakthrough experience, these emerging leaders develop transferable skills including instructional design and delivery, public speaking, time and project management, and adaptive problem-solving.
Griffin has donated hundreds of millions of dollars to educational and community causes across South Florida since 2022, when he relocated to Miami from Chicago, including a recent donation of 1,200 FIFA World Cup tickets to South Florida youth, together with Stephen Ross. With Ross, Griffin also contributed $10 million to the Florida Council of 100’s Ambition Accelerated campaign to attract more business leaders to South Florida.
2
Zulu Pods attracts $660K investment from Tamiami Angel Funds
Members of Tamiami Angel Fund V recently invested $660,000 in Coral Spring-based Zulu Pods, a defense-technology company that makes fluid-delivery components for manufacturers of missiles, drones and rotor aircraft.
“Zulu Pods is exactly the kind of Florida-based startup we seek to invest in as they develop cutting-edge technology that will be used in the rapidly changing defense industry,” says Timothy Cartwright, partner of Fifth Avenue Family Office and chairman of Tamiami Angel Funds in Naples. “The defense and space industries have played a significant role in the diversification of Florida’s economy for many years and promising fast-growing companies like Zulu Pods will help the state maintain that edge.”
Zulu Pods, co-founded by engineers Rob and Daniella Sladen, makes a core product that delivers oil to expendable jet engines that power military missiles and drones, now a priority for the military in conflicts around the world. In addition, Zulu Pods technology can also be used as an emergency backup system in rotor-aircraft engines such as military helicopters, allowing crews to maneuver to a safe landing zone in case of failure of the primary engine-oil delivery system.
The funds raised from Tamiami Angel Funds and others will help the company achieve testing certifications and boost production.
READ MORE:
- South Florida is becoming a mission-critical hub for defense innovation
- Meet the small pods trying to change how engines survive in the sky
3
Uber Eats bringing delivery robots to Brickell, too
More delivery robots are coming to Brickell. Starting this week, Uber Eats customers in the Brickell area of Miami can now have their orders delivered by Avride autonomous robots. Through its partnership with Uber, Avride’s delivery robots are already available in Austin, Dallas, Jersey City, Philadelphia and Arlington.
Avride’s delivery robots can operate within a 1-2 mile radius, stay charged for up to 12 hours, and can travel up to 5mph.Before confirming an order from participating restaurants, customers will be given the option to choose whether you’d like your meal delivered by the Avride robot or a traditional courier. Initially, the service will be available from 10am – 10pm in Brickell, with plans to expand the operating territory in the future. No tipping.
4
XSponse, ExchangiFi lure strategic investments
XSponse, an innovator of intelligent emergency response, wearable technology, and critical communications, recently announced an investment by Armory Capital to accelerate the expansion of the company’s technology platform, national footprint, and long-term growth initiatives. The amount of the invesment was not disclosed.
XSponse helps schools, public safety agencies, municipalities, healthcare organizations, and enterprises prepare for and respond to emergencies through a unified, intelligent security ecosystem that directly connects organizations with law enforcement, first responders, and emergency management agencies. The funds will help advance development of its AI-powered security technology ecosystem and products, expand U.S. manufacturing, strengthen its engineering, sales, and customer relationship management teams, and support nationwide deployment.
“We believe the future of public safety will be built on intelligent platforms that seamlessly connect people, devices, and responders through communications and wearable technologies. This investment accelerates our mission to protect and save lives by saving seconds,” said XSponse CEO Lee Mandel.
Also, ExchangiFi, a Palm Beach Gardens-based startup developing a platform for ETF issuers and wealth advisors, received an investment from Prosperity Venture Partners, the family office of investor and wealth management entrepreneur Tommy Mayes. The amount of the deal was not disclosed. As part of the investment, Mayes will join ExchangiFi’s board of directors.
Founded by CEO Matthew Bucklin, ExchangiFi provides a platform to connect ETF issuers and wealth advisors for Section 351 ETF exchanges. Its software supports the transaction by helping participants optimize portfolios, manage documentation, track capital commitments, and coordinate fund seeding. Since launching in September 2025, ExchangiFi has attracted more than 40,000 visitors and built an email list of more than 3,000 registered investment advisors.
“Tommy has spent his career advising families and the advisors who serve them, and he deeply understands the wealth and asset management businesses and the tax challenges ExchangiFi is built to solve,” said Bucklin, in a statement. “His experience as a board member and advisor will be invaluable as we scale the platform.”
5
Survey says: Florida CEOs more optimistic than most
The Florida Council of 100 recently released its Q2 2026 Florida CEO Index, showing Florida business leaders remain confident in the state’s economic outlook despite continued national uncertainty surrounding costs, workforce needs, and broader economic conditions.
Florida’s overall Florida CEO Index increased from 98 in the first quarter to 106 in Q2, the highest reading since the Council launched the index in 2025. Florida’s score also exceeded the national Business Roundtable CEO Economic Outlook Index of 91, with scores above 50 indicating economic expansion. The survey captures expectations from Florida CEOs regarding sales, capital investment, and employment over the next six months, providing an early indication of where the state’s economy is headed. Florida’s Q2 results also improved significantly from the same period last year. The overall index rose from 83 in Q2 2025 to 106 in Q2 2026, reflecting stronger confidence across sales, investment, and hiring expectations.
“Business leaders often see changes in the economy before anyone else because they’re making decisions about investment, hiring, and growth every day,” said George LeMieux, Chair of The Florida Council of 100. “The record strength of this quarter’s Florida CEO Index—the highest we have ever seen — reflects the continued confidence Florida business leaders have in our state’s economic direction and long-term competitiveness.”
READ MORE: Florida Council of 100 and partners launch statewide tech expansion to reshape Florida’s economy
6
GoTu teams up with major provider of healthcare solutions for dental practices
GoTu Technology, the dental talent marketplace startup based in Miami, and Henry Schein, the world’s largest provider of healthcare solutions to office-based dental and medical practitioners, announced a strategic partnership designed to help dental practices address ongoing staffing challenges and maintain continuity of patient care. Through this collaboration, dental practices will gain expanded access to GoTu’s technology-enabled platform, which connects offices with qualified dental hygienists, dental assistants, and associate dentists for both temporary and permanent staffing needs.
GoTu will now be part of Henry Schein Dental Recruitment Services, which offers a range of services from permanent placement solutions to enterprise-level Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO). By combining GoTu’s workforce technology with Henry Schein’s extensive customer network, the partnership aims to deliver modern, flexible solutions that support practice efficiency and reduce operational strain. “Staffing shortages continue to be one of the most significant challenges facing dental practices,” said Cary Gahm, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of GoTu. “Partnering with Henry Schein allows us to bring reliable, scalable workforce support to more offices across the country. Together, we can help practices stabilize their teams and ensure patients receive uninterrupted, high-quality care.”
GoTu, which raised $45 million in 2025, has filled more than 500,000 shifts nationwide, offering practices a streamlined way to manage staffing gaps and maintain productivity.
7
Brightline reintroduces commuter passes
Brightline has reintroduced multi-ride passes for trips between its West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale stations and include a 10-ride option for $239, a 20-ride pass for $319 and a 40-ride pass for $359. Based on the largest package, fares start at about $9 per one-way trip.
“As South Florida continues to evolve into a connected economic powerhouse, Brightline is making it easier than ever for professionals to move seamlessly between major employment centers,” said Brightline CEO Patrick Goddard in a statement. “The return of the multi-ride pass connecting West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale reflects the growing demand for flexible transportation options that support both business and lifestyle needs.”
8
Jobs, jobs, jobs
eMed – Head of Technical Operations
Codistry – Chief Operating Officer
Exowatt – Power Systems Engineer – EMT Modeling/Simulation
Kaseya – Sr Software Engineer
Lennar – Data Engineer II
Papa – Operations Manager
Payabli – Staff Data Engineer
Ramp – Procurement Product Activation Manager
Securitize – Director of Trading & Risk
Securitize – Marketing Operations
TrustLayer, Inc – Implementation Specialist
Vultr – Sr Manager, AI Infrastructure Operations
Workee, Inc – Customer Success Manager
Find more jobs on Refresh Miami’s job board here.
PLUS
Opportunity knocks
- Are you Miami curious? Maybe you’re ready for more sunshine or tired of state income taxes. Maybe you’re just looking for your next adventure. The challenge usually isn’t the city, it’s figuring out how to make the move make sense – the right role, the right company, the right connections. If you’ve been thinking about Miami, check out moveto.miami, powered by Refresh Miami. We’re here to help.
- Applications are now open for the Alan B. Levan | NSU Broward Center of Innovation’s Incubate Program, a dedicated experience designed for entrepreneurs at the MVP stage ready for growth. This program runs from Aug. 5-28; participants meet on Mondays, Wednesday, and Fridays from 8:30 AM – 11:00 AM at the Levan Center. Apply by July 22 here.
- Calling all Florida-based startups: GatorPitch Miami has always been an opportunity for University of Florida-affiliated startups to get in front of South Florida’s vibrant investor and entrepreneurial ecosystem. For this year’s event on Nov. 5, UF Innovate is opening the opportunity to pitch to Florida-affiliated companies. Find out more here and apply here by Sept. 4.
- Applications are now open for the Cade Prize for Inventivity, a national competition awarding over $100K in cash and in-kind support to early-stage inventors and entrepreneurs. Apply here by July 10.
- Applications are open for the inaugural West Palm Entrepreneurship and Adversity Program (WPEAP), a 10-month initiative designed to support individuals facing economic hardship while launching or growing a business. The program, managed by the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship at Florida State University and the Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship, cost is $500, but scholarships of $475 are available. Learn more ere hand apply by Aug. 1.
ICYMI – Catch up!
- Latest VC news: Miami area startups attracted $832M in VC in Q2, PitchBook reports. We’ve got the top deals.
- Latest startup fundraise: Pediatrica secures $28M Series B to expand platform across Florida, Texas
- Latest special report: Latitudes wants to make West Palm Beach a company-building engine for the New York–South Florida tech corridor
- More big news: Tokenization to get its Wall Street moment as Miami’s Securitize goes public
- In the spotlight: Oasis is building a smart ring that wants to replace your keyboard
- Sealor secures $1.1M to tackle South Florida’s flooding problem
- Taxfyle thinks your financial advisor should know your taxes too
- Thanks to Bootup Studios, Miami might weather the AI layoff wave better than other tech hubs
- With Postr, the creator economy found a new home address
- Codistry wants to keep vibe coding from becoming vibe crashing
- And much more paywall-free #MiamiTech news here.
Have news to report? Email Nancy Dahlberg at nancy@refreshmiami.com and follow her on X @ndahlberg and on LinkedIn. Subscribe to Refresh Miami’s free weekly newsletter here featuring startup news, tech job opportunities and events.
- 8+ things to know in #MiamiTech: News about Ken Griffin, Zulu Pods, Tamiami Angel Funds, Uber Eats, FC 100, XSponse, ExchangiFi, GoTu, Brightline, job opps & more – July 10, 2026
- Miami area startups attracted $832M in VC in Q2, PitchBook reports. We’ve got the top deals. – July 9, 2026
- Pediatrica secures $28M Series B to expand platform across Florida, Texas – July 7, 2026
