Global Miami Magazine

The January/February 2025 issue of Global Miami is here—available in print and online! Inside this issue: ✈️ MIA’s $9 Billion Makeover – Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava unveils a bold plan to transform the airport’s future. 💰 International Banking & Finance – How South Florida is strengthening its position as a global financial hub. 🇲🇽 Miami & Mexico – A deep dive into growing trade and investment ties between these economic powerhouses. Stay informed—subscribe and follow Global Miami Magazine for more! #GlobalMiami #MiamiBusiness #Trade #Finance #Aviation #SouthFlorida #EconomicGrowth #MiamiAirport #InvestMiami #MIAExpansion #MiamiTrade

Stay informed with Global Miami's Business Monday, your go-to source for the latest news impacting trade and investment in South Florida. -Largest Cruise Terminal Inaugurated: MSC Cruises has inaugurated the world’s largest and most advanced cruise terminal at PortMiami. Designed by global firm Arquitectonica and built by FINCANTIERI, this 492,678-square-foot terminal can handle up to 36,000 passengers daily. It’s the first in the industry to offer fully biometric, digital identity embarkation, serving both MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys, including the newly named MSC World America. -New Global HQ: The Miami Association of Realtors® has opened a new 43,000-square-foot global headquarters in Miami. The five-story, Class-A facility more than doubles the association's space and will host global conferences, professional hearings, and events. MIAMI now maintains 281 international partnerships across 76+ countries—more than any other U.S. Realtor association. -Proptech Expansion: Miami-based proptech startup DoorLoop is expanding its reach with a new office in New York following a $100 million funding round. With locations also in Tel Aviv, DoorLoop plans to hire 150 employees globally this year to continue its expansion. -New Bitcoin Venture: Miami’s Hut 8, a Bitcoin mining and infrastructure company, has formed American Bitcoin in partnership with the Trump family. Hut 8 holds an 80% stake in the company, which focuses on mining and building long-term Bitcoin reserves. Stay ahead with the latest developments shaping South Florida’s business landscape. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/eQBxeunj

Miami-Dade County has unanimously approved a $330 million private investment to modernize food, beverage, and retail concessions at Miami International Airport. The 12-year plan, championed by Commissioner Danielle Cohen Higgins, Esq., is expected to generate $1 billion in revenue while opening the door to new, local, and minority-owned businesses. The initiative includes upgraded technology, expanded dining options, and enhanced passenger amenities to meet the demands of a record-breaking traveler base. This marks another major step in Miami International Airport's ongoing $9 billion transformation—an ambitious redevelopment designed to reshape the airport’s aging infrastructure and accommodate future growth. With 56 million passengers and 3 million tons of cargo recorded last year, MIA stands as the busiest U.S. airport for international cargo and second for international passengers. By 2040, passenger volume is projected to reach 77 million. To explore the full scope of the airport’s historic overhaul, visit Global Miami Magazine for our in-depth feature: MIA’s $9 Billion Transformation https://lnkd.in/dCkQ2b3E

Coco Robotics has officially expanded its Uber Eats partnership to Miami, launching in Wynwood and Downtown with plans to reach Brickell, Miami Beach, and other neighborhoods this year. The California-based company—responsible for over 500,000 global deliveries—announced the move on April 2. Its entry into the Miami market reflects the city’s growing role in testing and adopting autonomous delivery solutions, as the global delivery robot market is projected to reach $770 million by 2029. #GlobalMiami #CocoRobotics #MiamiTech #AutonomousDelivery #UberEats #TradeAndInvestment #LogisticsInnovation #SmartCityMiami

The Miami Seaquarium’s parent company, MS Leisure Co., filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on March 31, listing up to $500 million in assets and liabilities. The filing includes 14 affiliated entities and outlines plans to secure $8 million in debtor-in-possession financing to maintain operations during restructuring. The bankruptcy follows months of tension with Miami-Dade County, which served an eviction notice over alleged unpaid rent and animal welfare concerns. Despite the county’s efforts to remove the Seaquarium from its Virginia Key site, a judge ruled to allow the attraction to remain open under a new rental plan. The Seaquarium is operated by The Dolphin Co., a Mexico-based MS Leisure subsidiary that purchased the park in 2021 and manages marine attractions across Florida, Latin America, and Europe. Subscribe to our Business Monday newsletter for the latest news impacting trade and investment in South Florida here: https://lnkd.in/eQBxeunj #MiamiBusiness #BusinessMonday #MiamiSeaquarium #MSLeisure #TheDolphinCo #BankruptcyNews #MiamiDade #TourismUpdate #CorporateNews #TradeAndInvestment #GlobalMiamiMagazine

Liechtenstein’s First Delegation to Miami 🇱🇮🤝🇺🇸 Our very own Yousra Benkirane had the privilege of sitting down at the iconic Biltmore Hotel with Ambassador Georg Sparber of the Embassy of Liechtenstein in the U.S. to discuss Liechtenstein’s growing presence in the U.S., its interest in Florida, and its role in the Americas. This visit marked the first-ever delegation of the Principality of Liechtenstein to Miami, organized by the World Affairs Council of Miami. A sincere thank you to Ambassador Sparber and Senior Advisor Matt Keller for their visit, helping to strengthen ties between Liechtenstein and Miami. Stay tuned for the full interview in our next issue! #GlobalMiami #Liechtenstein #Diplomacy #MiamiBusiness #InternationalRelations #EconomicGrowth #TradeConnections #ForeignAffairs #MiamiNetworking #GlobalTrade

Casa Cipriani is bringing its world-renowned hospitality to Miami Beach with a 17-story oceanfront development, marking its third global location after New York and Milan. Designed by architect Brandon Haw, the project will feature a 40-suite boutique hotel, a private members club, and 23 ultra-luxury residences, all embodying Cipriani’s timeless elegance. Inspired by the grand Art Deco hotels of the 1930s, the development will also include a signature Cipriani restaurant, spa, and club lounge, offering an unparalleled lifestyle experience. A joint venture between Miami-based 13th Floor Investments, New York’s Midtown Equities and the Cipriani family, sales are set to launch later this year, with residences starting at $25 million. #CasaCipriani #MiamiBeachRealEstate #LuxuryLiving #CiprianiMiami #GlobalExpansion #MiamiDevelopment #OceanfrontLiving #RealEstateNews

eMerge Americas has just wrapped its annual conference, bringing together 20,000+ attendees, 300+ exhibitors, and 240+ speakers at the Miami Beach Convention Center. As Miami’s premier global tech event, eMerge connects startups, investors, and industry leaders to drive innovation and scale groundbreaking ideas. This year’s speakers included Armando Christian Perez (Pitbull) and Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, reinforcing Miami’s growing influence in the tech world. They also released their 2024 Insights Report, highlighting a strong year for venture capital in South Florida. In 2024, startups in the region raised $2.77 billion across 358 deals, accounting for 67% of Florida’s total $4.13 billion in VC funding. Miami ranked 9th nationally by deal value, with fintech (27% of funding) and medtech ($572M) leading investment sectors. Key VC Deals in 2024: Vultr – $333M (Largest deal, $3.5B valuation) finally – $200M INSIGHTEC – $150M DoorLoop & Syncromune® – $100M each Apricus Generation – $88.5M With record participation from 60 countries, eMerge Americas continues to cement Miami’s position as a global tech hub, bridging investment, innovation, and entrepreneurship. #eMergeAmericas #MiamiTech #2024InsightsReport #TechConference #StartupEcosystem #VentureCapital #MiamiInnovation #Fintech #Medtech #Entrepreneurship #MiamiBusiness

Miami-Dade Innovation Authority has launched its fifth Public Innovation Challenge, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at tackling the county’s growing waste crisis. In partnership with the Miami-Dade County Department of Solid Waste Management, the challenge invites early-to-growth stage startups to propose innovative solutions for waste diversion and recycling. With Miami-Dade County generating over five million tons of waste annually—and only 37% of it being recycled—waste diversion is a critical strategy for sustainability. To address this, MDIA will select at least three startups, each receiving $100,000 to pilot and validate their solutions. The challenge, running until April 21, is part of the county’s Zero Waste Master Plan, aiming to reduce landfill waste, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and improve public engagement in recycling efforts. “This is a game-changing moment for Miami-Dade,” says Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. “As our community continues to grow, we must use all the tools in our box to reimagine how we manage our waste now and in the future… to build a smarter, more resilient waste management system that will serve our community for generations to come.” #MiamiInnovation #Sustainability #WasteDiversion #ZeroWaste #CleanMiami #GreenTech #RecyclingSolutions #EcoFriendly #ClimateAction #FutureOfWaste #TechForGood

Stay ahead of the curve with the latest news shaping trade and investment in South Florida: - Miami Tourism: In 2023, Miami welcomed 27.2 million visitors, with projections reaching 30 million by 2025, driven by global appeal, major events, and expanding infrastructure. - $76 Million Acquisition: Alhambra Acquisition LLC has acquired the 473,214-square-foot Columbus Center in Coral Gables for $76 million, following an $11 million renovation in 2023. - Global Events: Vinexposium America, North America’s leading international wine and spirits trade show, will debut in Miami on May 7–8, 2025, bringing 280+ exhibitors from 25 countries and over 3,000 visitors from 40 nations. - Flight Updates: Air Canada is scaling back U.S.-bound capacity, including key routes to Florida, due to rising diplomatic tensions and shifting Canadian demand. - MIH $90M Acquisition: Miami International Holdings (MIH) is set to acquire 70.54% of TISE - The International Stock Exchange for $90 million, with plans to open a new trading floor in Miami by Q2 2025. MIAX Exchange Group Stay ahead with the latest trends, insights, and opportunities shaping Miami’s business landscape. Tap here: https://lnkd.in/eQBxeunj to subscribe to our newsletter now. #MiamiTourism #RealEstateNews #VinexpoAmerica #AirCanada #MIHAcquisition #MiamiBusiness #CorporateGrowth #SouthFlorida