In March 2006, Brian Breslin organized a meeting at Starbucks with five other technology startup founders.
Breslin, who was working to expand Infinimedia, a remote product development company he started in 1997, found it helpful to network with like-minded individuals.
“Back then, it was mostly realtors and bankers in Miami, and it was tough to find a tribe of people in technology,” said Breslin, who now directs The Launch Pad, a support center for University of Miami students and faculty entrepreneurs to build on their ideas.
Since then, the trickle of tech companies setting up shop in Miami has grown to a steady stream. Today, the networking organization Breslin founded—called Refresh Miami—is 13,000 members strong, and the inflow is accelerating, as more tech companies have opened in South Florida, relocated their business here, or opened a new branch locally since the pandemic began. Last year, Miami was the top city for technology job growth in the nation, and 81 new tech companies started within the city limits.
Breslin’s perspective is critical for those hoping to keep up the momentum of the Miami tech boom. That is why, starting this month, he will be sharing his expertise with Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine-Cava to help ensure these technology companies stick around and thrive. While remaining in his current post, Breslin will be working part time for the county as an “executive on loan” to support tech companies new to the area, as well as to forge connections between these businesses and colleges and universities in Miami-Dade County.
“I’ve seen the evolution of the local tech industry—slow at first and fast more recently—and seen people come and go,” said Breslin, who has helped found 12 tech companies. “So, I have a sense of what we are lacking, what works, and what doesn’t from an ecosystem support role.”
Through his function with the county, Breslin hopes to keep improving on Miami-Dade’s collaboration with businesses, nonprofits, and other municipalities for future development in the tech sector. He will also be supporting existing tech companies by rethinking what incentives exist for them, and he will be pinpointing how local companies could benefit from such measures.
Additionally, Breslin will be working to connect tech companies looking to fill nearly 10,000 jobs with potential employees through the University and other local higher education institutions. He is especially excited about bridging relationships with some companies that have connections to The Launch Pad—such as Bank Novo, co-founded by University alumnus Tyler McIntire, and MoonPay, a company that helps people buy and sell cryptocurrency.
“It’s a matter of making sure the higher education institutions are aware of these opportunities for students and that we are doing what we can to fulfill the demand as efficiently as possible,” Breslin said. “It’s on us as a community to build to meet the demand and figure out how we adapt to it, and also to make sure we aren’t missing out on any opportunities.”
Learn more about The Launch Pad, which supports more than 300 clients per year as part of the U Innovation division and typically sees at least 40 business ideas turn into established companies each year.
