Opportunity Miami

We believe talent drives everything. Entrepreneurship builds community wealth. And sustainability isn’t optional—it’s expected. These priorities guide our work across industries and institutions.

But one of Miami’s most surprising superpowers? Tourism.

In a region where quality of life and business opportunities converge, tourism is more than a side story. Listen or watch here to learn how tourism aligns with the three pillars of Opportunity Miami: sustainability, talent, and entrepreneurship.

“We have no Plan B because there is no Planet B.” — Ban Ki-moon

It’s more than a slogan. It’s a mandate. And in Miami, that call is being answered—not through top-down declarations, but through local action, trust, and collaboration. “You are not waiting for somebody to come and tell you to get moving. You are already moving, in your own way,” said Kate Landon, Executive Director of the Ban Ki-moon Foundation, of how Miami is showing the world how to align economic growth with justice, sustainability, and inclusion. “What you're doing has tremendous implications, not just for South Florida, but for the entirety of the U.S.”

On a quiet Sunday morning in Biscayne Bay, Dave Doebler set out alone in his kayak, as he often did. But this time, his mission wasn’t just to paddle. He had started to notice something that didn’t belong—trash. And not just a few bottles or bags.

What began as a personal ritual evolved into something much larger: a grassroots movement built around action, awareness, and community.

Doebler co-founded VolunteerCleanup.org to connect people to local cleanups and inspire them to protect their backyards.

“We are building a grassroots movement around people coming out and leading and joining cleanups,” he explains.

We’re on the front lines of climate change here in Miami, where startups and entrepreneurs are testing innovative ways to manage evolving risks.

So how can we approach climate risk more creatively and strategically?

One approach: think like an economist.

“You’re on the forefront. Let’s experiment and scale what works,” said Joseph Aldy, an economist and Harvard Kennedy School professor specializing in environmental policy.

Education is a powerful engine for Miami’s economic growth. When students enroll and graduate, the benefits extend beyond individual success—strengthening businesses, fueling job creation, and boosting local tax revenue. The Florida Future Billions Report, released by Helios Education Foundation, highlights just how transformative this impact can be.

"If we just looked at increasing college completion by itself and we increased it by 10%, we would see almost $8 billion annually to the state in terms of additional tax revenue, societal benefits that could be used for some of the other investments we need to be making across the state of Florida to make our state stronger," says Stacy Baier, SVP at Helios Education Foundation.

For Miami-Dade, this means $2.4 billion in additional revenue—money that could be reinvested into infrastructure, business innovation, and workforce development.

Facing a monumental challenge, Miami-Dade County is redefining what it means to manage waste. Each year, the County generates nearly five million tons of waste—a staggering figure amplified by the county’s three million residents and millions more annual tourists. Each person contributes ten pounds of waste daily, exceeding the national average. With landfills nearing capacity and consumption habits persisting, the need for innovative solutions has never been more urgent. "Waste management is not about trash—it’s about rewriting the story of how we value resources, unlocking economic potential, and building a legacy of sustainability that will empower future generations,”said Dr. Aneisha Daniel, Director of the Miami-Dade County Department of Solid Waste Management (DSWM).

Kandji, an Apple device management and security platform, had its pick of locations for an East Coast headquarters. It could have chosen New York, but instead, it chose Miami. Why? Because Miami is not just growing—it is redefining what it means to be a city of opportunity.

"Ten years ago, Apple was not the dominant enterprise device—it is today," Kandji Chief Marketing Officer Sylvia LePoidevin said.

That shift mirrors Miami’s own rapid transformation from an emerging startup scene to a full-fledged center for global innovation. Kandji saw this momentum and seized the opportunity, launching a 30,000-square-foot headquarters in Coral Gables. "We really see Miami as a new frontier for development, innovation, and technology," LePoidevin explained.

Francesca de Quesada Covey is Miami-Dade County’s Chief of Innovation and Economic Development Officer. As a daughter of Cuban immigrants, she was driven by a relentless desire to create opportunities and solve complex challenges. Reflecting on her journey in our latest Opportunity Miami Interview, she candidly admitted, “I never thought that I would work in local government,” but she does because of the leadership and vision of Mayor Daniella Levine Cava.

Miami is redefining itself as a global innovation hub, attracting top talent, groundbreaking startups, and visionary investors. From record-breaking venture capital to a booming startup ecosystem, Miami’s tech scene is skyrocketing at an unprecedented pace.

One of the driving forces behind this remarkable transformation is Melissa Medina, Co-Founder, CEO, and President of eMerge Americas. Her vision and tireless commitment have propelled Miami onto the global tech stage, making it a destination where innovation thrives and bold ideas take flight.

By investing in apprenticeships, digital learning, and sustainability-driven industries, Miami is positioning itself as a model for economic growth and innovation. At the forefront of this transformation are GoSprout and Miami EdTech. “Miami has all the right stakeholders at the table. When we come together, good ideas happen—and that’s the beauty of this city,” says Carlos Vazquez, founder of GoSprout, a digital infrastructure platform revolutionizing workforce training.