Miami-Dade Innovation Authority

What they do

Founded in 2023, the Miami-Dade Innovation Authority (MDIA) operates as the first public innovation authority in the United States. It was established with $9 million in equal seed funding from Miami-Dade County, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, and Citadel Founder/CEO Ken Griffin. MDIA bridges the gap between private innovators and the public sector by running thematic "Public Innovation Challenges." It identifies global startups, invests equity capital, and facilitates real-world pilot testing with local government entities. MDIA is highly regarded for reducing municipal procurement friction by 67%, creating a replicable blueprint for civic innovation that accelerates the commercialization of frontier technologies.

What they look for

MDIA’s mission is to fast-track the procurement of technology that enables local governments to more effectively and efficiently improve the quality of life for residents. They aim to de-risk capital investments, accelerate the discovery of market-ready solutions, and clear the pathway to revenue-based growth for startups by turning the city into a platform for innovation.

Stage

Seed, Series A, Series B+

Sectors

Climate, Mobility and logistics, Proptech, Healthcare, AI

Based

Miami, US