Emergency Ventures app helps get critical information out during natural disasters to those without cell service

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INNOVATION

Critical Link

Emergency Ventures, a web and mobile app that connects citizens, volunteers and emergency managers during natural disasters when there’s no internet or cell service, was launched to help recovery efforts during Hurricane Ian in Southwest Florida. It uses cached data from hundreds of services and bluetooth links.

The startup’s CEO, Joseph Russo, founder of the non-profit South Florida Tech Hub, began working on the app as a result of communication difficulties he experienced during recovery efforts after Hurricane Irma struck the lower Keys in 2017. He was helping with food and water distribution and realized how difficult it was to share important information when cell phone and internet service was out, and the only way locals were able to receive critical information was through a single radio station.

REAL ESTATE

• The last remaining waterfront development site on Fisher Island, situated on the northeast section of the island along Government Cut, was bought by the Related Group, Teddy Sagi, Wanxiang America RE and BH Group for $122.6 million.
• Alchemy-ABR Investment Partners, the firm behind the transformation of the Woolworth building in New York, has purchased property in Miami’s Wynwood neighborhood. The firm plans to develop the 36,079-sq.-ft. property into a 12-story residential building with 186 rental units and retail spaces. The Salvation Army sold its property for $18 million, or $526 per square foot.
• The 82-room Balfour Hotel on South Beach, which has been remodeled, was sold to a Canadian company for $39.25 million.
• The first apartment complex along Miami’s new Ludlam Trail pedestrian park, MiLine Miami, is complete. Rents at the 338-unit apartment complex range from $2,000 to $4,500.
• Developers recently broke ground on a $190-million mixed-income apartment building in Miami’s Brickell neighborhood. The Gallery at West Brickell will have 163 units set aside as workforce and affordable housing.
• Miami-based KW Property & Management Consulting, one of South Florida’s largest private companies, was acquired by Odevo, an international property management firm.
• Baptist Health South Florida sold its data center, located in Miami’s Doral neighborhood and built to withstand a Category 5 hurricane, for $34 million. Baptist Health South Florida paid $11 million for the facility in 2004.

TECHNOLOGY

• Boopos, a Miami startup that offers revenue-based business loans without the need for business owners to give up equity or ownership, has raised $58 million.
• DoorLoop, a Miami rental property management software startup, has raised $20 million. The company plans to double its development team. In total, the company has raised $30 million.
• Techstars Miami, a new accelerator for early-stage tech companies supported by Techstars’ $80-million Advancing Cities Fund, recently launched its inaugural class of startups. The 12 startups are among 60 chosen to complete Techstars’ three-month accelerator programs in Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Miami and Washington, D.C. The programs aim to connect entrepreneurs to mentors, investors and program alumni.
• Majority, a banking app for migrants and immigrants to access various banking services, raised $37.5 million. Founded in 2019, the company has now raised more than $83 million and has several locations throughout Florida and Texas.

HEALTH CARE

• Alberto “Bo” Boulenger is Baptist Health South Florida’s new CEO. Boulenger has been with Baptist Health South Florida since 1985 and previously was CEO of two of its hospitals before being elevated to executive vice president and COO. Glenn Waters has been named executive vice president and COO.
• Nicklaus Children’s Hospital has partnered with NCH Healthcare in Naples to provide inpatient services through its Nicklaus Children’s Pediatric Specialists medical group.
• Jackson Health System, UHealth and Shriners Children’s Hospital have partnered to create Shriners Children’s Orthopedic Center at UHealth Jackson Children’s Care, slated to open in 2025 in Miami.

HIGHER EDUCATION

• Miami Dade College has opened an Artificial Intelligence Center, located at the college’s north campus. The facility, more than 13,000 square feet, will serve as the epicenter for all curriculum, programs, interaction and software that the college produces in applied artificial intelligence.
• Following a nationwide search, Kenneth A. Jessell was appointed the sixth president of Florida International University.

Tags: Miami-Dade, Technology/Innovation, Feature