🌟 Miami’s Future on Display at the Beacon Awards

Miami’s leaders and changemakers are shaping the sustainable and economic future of the region.

Last week, more than 60 companies spanning a dozen sectors—from finance to tech—were recognized at the Beacon Awards, one of Miami’s most anticipated showcases of leadership, innovation, and collaboration.

Among this year’s honorees were several leaders previously featured on Opportunity Miami. Harlem Capital, the nation’s leading Black-owned venture capital firm and a finalist in the finance category, continues its mission to change the face of entrepreneurship. As co-founder Henri Pierre-Jacques told us in February 2024, Harlem Capital’s move into Miami represents more than growth—it’s about building inclusive pathways for founders across industries.

The new One2Watch category spotlighted two of Miami’s trailblazing women in tech: Johanna Mikkola, formerly of Tech Equity Miami and co-founder of Wyncode Academy, who has been infusing tech into Miami’s business ecosystem since 2014; and Sylvia LePoidevin, Chief Marketing Officer at Kandji, who shared with us in March how the company’s Miami expansion positions it to become the city’s next unicorn.

Another new addition, the Small Business Award, recognized Kind Designs for pioneering climate tech with its Living Seawalls – 3D-printed structures that double as artificial reefs, filtering millions of gallons of water and protecting coastal homes from flooding.

“The Beacon Council believed in us when we were just a team with a crazy idea and no guarantees,” Kind Designs founder Anya Freeman told Opportunity Miami after the awards ceremony. “Their unwavering support and platform have been invaluable in turning that vision into reality and making Miami an example of what’s possible in coastal construction.”

Opportunity Miami was there when Freeman’s first 3D printer arrived at the warehouse, capturing the excitement in our On Site feature from July 2023.

“Miami has undergone an extraordinary transformation over the past several years, and the momentum we are experiencing is powered by people,” said Rodrick T. Miller, President and CEO of the Miami-Dade Beacon Council, which houses the Beacon Awards under its foundation.

At Opportunity Miami, which is powered by the Beacon Council, we envision the Miami of 2040—one driven by innovation, inclusion, and resilience. This year’s Beacon Awards exemplify that vision, celebrating the leaders and ideas defining the city’s next chapter.

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If you have a company or an entrepreneur to suggest or an idea to share that relates to building Miami’s future, email us at next@opportunity.miami. We invite you to subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on our social media channels. If you were forwarded this newsletter, you can subscribe by clicking here. And if you are new to Opportunity Miami, you can learn about our mission and work here.

~ Opportunity Miami