8+ things to know in #MiamiTech: Orrick’s new Miami office, plus news from Guident, UrbanLink, Google, Momentum Miami, Glade Brooke Capital Partners & more
1
Orrick announces Miami law office
Orrick, a tech-focused global law firm, announced a new Miami office, with Ken Wiggins, Santiago J. Assalini and Sam Ramos as a Miami M&A team who join as founding partners of the firm’s new Miami office.The Miami office is positioned to serve Miami’s growing tech and innovation ecosystem and the most disruptive verticals such as AI, fintech, cryptocurrency, healthtech and energytech.
The team arrives from Akerman, where Wiggins served as the co-head of the firm’s M&A and private equity practice. The three are counselors to public and private companies and private equity funds, including those focused on tech and E&I. Orrick venture capital partner Andrew Erskine is also joining the office and members of the firm’s venture capital practice will spend time there. In addition, five additional Orrick lawyers will join the office, which is located in The Annex in the Wynwood section of Miami.
“The South Florida market is undergoing a moment of transformation, with a large influx of PE funds and other companies, and we are excited about the opportunity to serve them from an innovative global platform like Orrick’s,” Wiggins said. “As a leader in tech and AI, energy, finance and life sciences, Orrick is built to serve this market.”
In 1H 2025, Orrick ranked top 5 globally for both M&A deal volume and buyouts by deal volume, and ranked top 5 for VC financings globally since 2018.
2
Guident partners with FAU to prepare cities for self-driving vehicles
Boca Raton-based Guident, an autonomous vehicle software company, is collaborating with Florida Atlantic University’s Sensing Institute, known as I-SENSE, to build an urban mapping system that can enhance the planning of infrastructure and safety of self-driving cars in cities. I-SENSE is a university-wide research institute advancing innovation in sensing, smart systems, and real-time situational awareness technologies.
The project will focus on using data collected from autonomous vehicles equipped with technology such as advanced sensors, high-resolution video cameras, lidar and radar. The sensors will capture detailed information about the vehicle’s surroundings as the vehicles traverse various urban routes. By aggregating and processing this data, the collaboration will generate highly accurate results, like “Digital Twins” that mirror the physical structures and dynamic conditions of the city and can significantly help in decision-making and operational efficiency in modern urban planning.
“Partnering with Guident allows us to translate our academic insights into transformative real-world applications,” said Jason Hallstrom, executive director of I-SENSE. “We are proud to contribute to a venture that not only drives urban analytics forward but also sets the stage for sustainable growth in the autonomous vehicle sector.”
Looking ahead, I-SENSE and Boca Raton-based Guident will likely explore funding opportunities and monetization strategies to bolster the project’s scope and impact. “We’re excited to see how our joint efforts can redefine the future of mobility in smart cities,” said Guident Vice President Dennis Morgen.
3
UrbanLink expands all-electric transportation network
Speaking of transportation, UrbanLink Air Mobility of Miami announced it plans to add more vehicles to its planned electric transportation network.
The company reached an agreement to lease up to 10 Beta Technologies electric conventional takeoff and landing (eCTOL) aircraft, with delivery expected in late 2027. ECTOL aircraft utilize traditional runways like conventional airplanes, unlike electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft which can take off and land vertically like helicopters. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The first delivery is anticipated in late 2027, positioning UrbanLink to launch all-electric operations utilizing a network of Fixed Base Operators (FBOs) across South Florida—with planned routes extending north to Orlando and Tampa, and south through the Florida Keys to Key West.
It also follows a series of recent announcements from UrbanLink, including the renewal of its partnership with Vertiports by Atlantic Aviation, which grants access to Atlantic’s extensive FBO network throughout Florida, as well as upcoming vertiport developments in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties. Also, UrbanLink increased its order of REGENT Viceroy seagliders, from 27 to 47.
4
Tech Equity Miami rebrands as Momentum Miami
Tech Equity Miami is now Momentum Miami. The name change reflects the breadth of the organization’s work, as it passes the halfway point of its five-year commitment to deploy $100 million in philanthropic funding to bring the benefits of technology to all Miamians, the organization says.
So far, Momentum Miami has committed over $70 million to 38 projects, including Code2College, SMB Growth Lab, ThriveDX Cyber Empowerment, Miami Tech Works, INIT, Tech Knowledge and many others.
“We know that the impactful work of our partners will continue to power the education, job opportunities, and digital modernization that make up a thriving tech ecosystem, and, in turn, provide economic mobility and opportunity across the city,” Momentum said in its announcement.
“As we celebrate meeting our goals in three of our four key pillars, the numbers show we have much work to do in supporting high quality K-12 education. For that reason, we will be doubling down on seeking donors doing important work in this space and connecting them with the organizations having the most impact.”
5
Google to open Aventura store
Google is bringing its next brick-and-mortar store to Aventura Mall this fall. In the tech giant’s eighth physical retail location, visitors can test out Google-branded Pixel phones, watches and tablets, its Nest devices including smart speakers, thermostats and security systems, and its Chromebook laptops. The store will also sell accessories and host workshops and educational programs.
Last year, Google opened an office at 1450 Brickell Ave. in Miami. The new store will be located on the lower level of the mall, which is already home to the largest Apple store in Florida. Read more in the South Florida Business Journal.
6
Glade Brook Capital Partners closes Fund IV
Glade Brook Capital Partners, a Miami- and Greenwich, CT -based global growth equity investment firm, closed its Glade Brook Strategic Growth Fund IV, with $515M in capital commitments. With support from new and existing investors, the fund is focused on growth equity investments in early-, mid- and late-stage companies.
With SG IV, Glade Brook will look to invest in 12 to 15 companies, evaluating businesses at all stages: from early-stage companies with high convexity to late-stage, high-quality compounding businesses. SG IV will invest across geographies and in sectors including FinTech, AI, SpaceTech, DefenseTech and e-Commerce.
With $2.5 Billion in assets under management and led by Paul Hudson, Founder and Chief Investment Officer, and Kyle Daniel, Chief Operating Officer, Glade Brook has already deployed more than 65% of SG IV, including investments in Revolut, Stripe, Stoke Space, Zepto, Perplexity and Saronic Technologies.
7
Jobs, jobs, jobs
Now hiring:
Akkodis – Data Engineer – II
Doorloop – Marketing Operations & Strategy Lead
eMed – Graphic Designer
Kaseya – Senior Software Engineer
Papa – Senior Data Analyst
RBI – Sr. Software Engineer, Tim Hortons
Royal Caribbean – Product Owner, Product Development
Royal Caribbean – Senior Engineer, Maritime Cybersecurity
Slalom – Partner Sales Manager, Data & AI
Vultr – Test Automation Engineer
Find hundreds more jobs on Refresh Miami’s job board here.
8-PLUS
Opportunity knocks
- As hurricane season ramps up in Miami, FIU’s Wall of Wind Experimental Facility is opening its doors to startups and small businesses developing resilient infrastructure solutions. Through the South Florida Risk + Resilience Tech Hub, selected companies can apply for low-cost, full-scale product testing, including Category 5 hurricane simulations, at one of the nation’s most advanced facilities Apply by Aug. 1 here.
- Venture Atlanta 2025 is calling for tech-enabled startups from across the Southeast (from seed to growth stage) to apply to pitch. Selected companies will gain access to 450+ investors from 250+ funds, receive coaching and mentorship, attend the exclusive VA Investor Dinner, and benefit from year-round networking opportunities. Eligible applicants must have a strong Southeastern U.S. presence and be planning to raise capital within the next 18 months.Apply here by Aug. 8.
- The Veterans Florida Entrepreneurship Program’s Facilitated Growth Cohort at Florida International University offers training to help you grow and expand your business. You are not required to have any employees but should have a business generating revenue. You will create a Business Model Canvas with mentorship and will determine if your business is validated/marketable and if it is scalable/expandable. Find out more and apply here.
ICYMI
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