// Welcome to South Florida //
// The Most Diverse Leading Innovation Hub of the Americas //
FORT LAUDERDALE CITY LEADER: Marc Lissade
FIRST EVENT: March 13, 2023
MIAMI CITY LEADERS: Sheena John & Kwamara Thompson
FIRST EVENT: October 1, 2021
Having been designated as the United States' sole Climate Resiliency Tech Hub, the South Florida region, comprised of widely known cities such as Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, and many others, is home to several state-of-the-art research facilities and innovation hubs.
Additionally, the remarkable growth of the local tech sector has contributed to South Florida's rise as a national tech leader and financial hub for Latin America, attracting an enormous influx of talent and investment to the region.
Upcoming Events
Special thanks to our partners!
South Florida News
The South Florida Team
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Marc Lissade
FORT LAUDERDALE CITY LEADER
Marc Lissade is an entrepreneurial ecosystem builder and the Director of Startup Broward, StartupGrind Fort Lauderdale as well as FoundersBoost South Florida. He is also the Founders Live Fort Lauderdale City Leader.
Marc is a veteran organizer of multiple Techstars Startup Weekends, Techstars Startup Week, and Global Entrepreneurship Week events among many other entrepreneurial support activities. Having explored many startup ecosystems, Marc believes that true innovation knows no geographical or financial bounds and has been hard at work helping build his local ecosystem.
As an innovation activist, Marc believes that innovation is a human right that has been historically overlooked. His new book on innovation is due out in Spring 2024.
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Kwamara Thompson
MIAMI CITY LEADER
As a social entrepreneur, Kwamara Thompson has always been fighting for positive change by leading with her passion for education. As an accomplished speaker, consultant, educator, and activist, Kwamara has started multiple ventures throughout her career to help people improve their lives, to help organizations become equity and empathy focused, and to help alleviate the structures of systemic racism. As an angel and seed investor, Kwamara and her umbrella company, TEC, LLC have helped to invest millions of dollars in small businesses across the country and have recently launched a fund. As a philanthropist, Kwamara has helped to raise and give out hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships to students across the country.
Kwamara is recognized as an industry leader having been featured in multiple articles across the globe including CBS, NBC, Yahoo News, Business Insider, Boston Herald, MarketWatch, and more. She has spoken at numerous events and conferences, including the UK Parliament House of Lords, and has been featured on multiple podcasts.
Kwamara also sits on the board of numerous organizations, including iHeart Media Advisory Board and the Black Information Network. Kwamara is the Vice Chair of the Miami Dade County Public Schools NAF, STEM and CTE advisory board. She is on Pace University Lubin School of Business and Seton Hall University Stillman School of Business Advisory Boards.
Get Involved
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Founders
Founders Live South Florida is a unique event where 5 founders take to our stage to pitch their ideas in 99 seconds to the audience. It’s a fantastic opportunity to conduct customer research, receive live audience feedback, compete for a generous prize package and connect with other local entrepreneurs and resources.
Appear at a future South Florida event, whether in Fort Lauderdale or Miami.
We’re always accepting applications.
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Partners
Founders Live South Florida offers financial or in-kind Partners opportunities to increase brand awareness, enhance brand image, drive sales and revenue, strengthen customer loyalty, and generate leads by putting their brands front and center for our audience of tech-savvy attendees.
Be featured at a future South Florida event, whether in Fort Lauderdale, Miami, or both cities.
We’re always open to win-win partnerships.
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Leaders
Founders Live South Florida is a great opportunity for local leaders to raise their profile in the community while acquiring valuable leadership, project, and event management skills. We always seek leaders motivated to make a difference in our community.
Get noticed for your contribution, on stage or off, grow your professional network, and build your resume.
We’re always onboarding winning leaders.
