The Miami-Dade Innovation Authority, Inc.  (“MDIA”) is a nonprofit that works to strengthen the relationship between institutions, including local government, and technology companies with innovative solutions that improve the quality of life for Miami-Dade county residents. Founded as an outcome of a collaboration with Miami-Dade County and key technology leaders, MDIA launched in 2023 with an equal match of private, public and philanthropic funding from The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Citadel Founder and CEO, Ken Griffin, and Miami-Dade County.

We de-risk capital investments as well as accelerate the discovery and commercialization of technologies through our Public Innovation Challenge Program, which connects private innovators to the public sector through strategic investments and a test-and-validate process designed to help companies successfully deliver market-ready solutions along with accompanying jobs in Miami-Dade County. Our mission is to scale innovative solutions for people most affected by critical public challenges, improve economic and social outcomes, and make Miami-Dade County a world-class capital for high growth technology companies.

We Fast Track Innovation To Improve Quality of Life And Accelerate Venture Growth.

Our Model

  • Discovery

    We source innovative private market solutions through public challenges focused on specific opportunities to improve quality of life for Miamians.

  • Market Validation

    We support growth stage companies through equity investments and facilitate product and technology testing and validation with local institutions and government.

  • Growth

    We align public and private sector resources to help companies to attract procurement and commercial contract opportunities.

Our Approach

We invest in opportunities that sit at the intersection of three impact priorities.

  • Innovative solutions to local issues exist but often remain siloed in the private market.

  • Communities face a variety of challenges that impact collective quality of life and economic growth.

  • Anchor institutions, including local government, represent untapped distribution channels to the large constituencies they serve. This provides startups with a unique opportunity deliver value at scale to impacted residents and communities.

Our Focus

We identify public challenges and invest in solutions across these priority focus areas.