Jesse Scheckner
North Miami is giving its innovators a boost.
On Wednesday, the city is launching Nomi Tech, an initiative to promote economic development in the region through the support of technology-driven startups.
The program will include entrepreneur education programming through a founder-focused entrepreneurship “bootcamp” of workshops facilitated by the Lightship Foundation, which supports and provides resources to minority-led tech startups.
It’s an “inclusion-focused,” seven-point plan North Miami officials devised to launch the city — which boasts 62,000 residents, 60% of whom identify as Black or African American — to the competitive forefront of Greater Miami’s tech ecosystem, North Miami Vice Mayor Mary Estimé-Irvin said in a statement.
“Lightship Foundation’s investment into our North Miami community will help create a competitive advantage for our residents that want to stay in the community they grew up in,” she said. “Keeping our talents at home while investing in their future is how you invest in your community.”
Founded in 2011, the Lightship Bootcamp is a free, founder-focused entrepreneur program that over two days provides structured, educational content and networking opportunities with advisers, partners, mentors, customers and a “robust investor network,” the organization said.
“As Miami is increasingly recognized as a strong force in the global tech-driven economy, it’s important that ecosystems like North Miami that are largely represented by founders of color have the opportunity to capitalize as well,” added Candice Matthews Brackeen, founder and CEO of the Lightship Foundation.
“We are honored to have been chosen by North Miami to join them in leading this effort and look forward to the progress our partnership will promote.”
The goal of Nomi Tech, according to former City Manager Theresa Therilus, a current consultant to the city who put the plan in motion, is to create a sustainable workforce by capitalizing on the region’s emerging position as a national tech hub.
Through the initiative, the city expects to provide faster employment growth in tech jobs that bring higher incomes for its small businesses and entrepreneurs.
“I’m glad to see this partnership come to fruition as North Miami positions itself in the technology industry,” she said.
“Making North Miami a premier destination for underrepresented founders to start and grow their business is a major priority. The partnership between Lightship Capital and the city … is not only going to provide a home for minority-led startups but also the programming and resources needed for them to excel.”
The Wednesday kickoff event, which Estimé-Irvin is hosting alongside personnel from the Lightship Foundation, runs 6-9 p.m. Wednesday at Da Cave Restaurant & Lounge.
It’s free with registration. Click here to reserve a spot.
