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Watch our interview with Johanna Mikkola of Tech Equity Miami on seizing momentum and resources to help build a strong and diverse tech foundation in Miami.
Last chance to register for our 13th climate tech meetup on Wednesday featuring an energy savings challenge to help businesses through sustainability initiatives. Sign up here.
It has been more than a decade since Johanna Mikkola launched into the tech scene in Miami. A lot has changed since then.
She co-founded the tech boot camp Wyncode in 2014 in Wynwood when “it was incomprehensible” to work and live in the now thriving arts and tech neighborhood. “Back in 2014, there was so much opportunity to come and help build an ecosystem. We really wanted to be part of building something.”
Progress has been made, a transformation reflective of what’s happening across Miami.
Wyncode has since been acquired by BrainStation and Mikkola is now leading Tech Equity Miami, a nonprofit funding consortium. Hear more about how Tech Equity Miami serves as the bridge between funders and initiatives to build a strong Miami in our latest interview.
Launched two years ago, Tech Equity Miami is deploying $100 million over five years to initiatives that remove barriers to entry into the tech industry and expand economic opportunities for underrepresented groups, including youth and small businesses, in the area.
Tech Equity has already committed over $70 million to 34 projects.
EQUITABLE FUTURE
Part of the work is to ensure the Miami of 2040 is not only more innovative but also more inclusive. Tech may have exacerbated the disparity gap in some communities, but if done right, it can also serve as “one of the greatest accelerants of socioeconomic mobility and opportunity generation.”
To get there, Tech Equity Miami is focused on four pillars: accelerate small business growth through improving their ability to participate in and benefit from the digital economy; facilitate access to broadband connectivity and devices for underserved communities; increase exposure to high-quality tech experiences for students Kindergarten through the 12th grades; and create defined pathways into tech-based careers.
“Equity and inclusion is really important because we are an ecosystem of immigrants,” noted Mikkola, who is originally from Finland and moved to Miami from Canada. “We need to make sure that there’s representation in the tech ecosystem so that kids are inspired and see it as a genuine pathway.”
For her, Miami represents the biggest opportunity to have the biggest impact. She volunteers for several nonprofits and is a member of the Technology Committee of The Miami-Dade Beacon Council and of the International Women’s Forum.
“There’s great resources here and this is a very accessible ecosystem,” she said of 2014 and today. “You still have to work at it, but you can get a meeting with the people who you want to meet with. And I think that’s really special about Miami and I hope Miami holds onto that because that type of connectivity is really important.”
CLIMATE TECH MEETUP #13
Join us and The Office of Resilience of Miami-Dade County for our 13th climate tech meetup on Wednesday at The Miami-Dade Beacon Council, featuring business leaders who are involved in the Building Efficiency 305 Challenge.
At the meetup, there will be guest speakers and a panel discussion followed by breakout groups for companies to learn how to start or further advance their sustainability journey by exploring existing County programs and sustainability incentives.
The County began the BE305 challenge in April 2021 to help owners of residential, commercial, and institutional buildings save energy – and money – with assessments of energy and water use. The companies also receive strategies to reduce consumption and save on utility bills. Learn more in our previous On Site video feature, which you can watch here.
PITCH US
If you have a company or 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.
Hope to hear from you.
– Suzette
