6+ things to know in #MiamiTech: Weo, Vacation & GRUBBR raise funds, Zigazoo launches GenZ app, first NFT restaurant opens in Miami & more
1
Water-focused startup Weo raises funds, launches Series A
Weo, a Miami-based deep-tech startup focused on a better way to irrigate, received an undisclosed amount in funding led by European venture firm Korelya Capital. The company intends to use the funds, which venture data tracker Pitchbook reports total $4.66 million, to accelerate the commercial phase of its agricultural solutions.
In total, the company has raised $15 million, Weo reports, and Korelya will lead the ongoing Series A round the company has started.
“As advocates for a sustainable technology ecosystem, we have been deeply inspired by the founder’s unique approach to water science and by Weo’s ESG roadmap including health impact, sustainable agriculture, healthy food and animal welfare. We look forward to supporting the Weo team in Europe and Asia in the coming years, Fleur Pellerin, chairman and co-founder of Korelya Capital, said in a statement.
Led by Anthony Ginter, Founder and CEO, Weo is focused on improving the health and well-being of people, animals and plants by enhancing the natural properties of water with their eco-friendly water calibration technology. Through its Precision Water vision, Weo says it provides biologically calibrated water to meet any specific need – from healthy aging and exercise performance, to crop production and livestock husbandry – for daily use and throughout life’s journey.
The B2C product (Weo Bottle) is ready for sale and will be used to both support the launch of the consumer market and accelerate the commercial phase of the agricultural solutions.
2
Zigazoo launches TikTok-like app for Gen Zers
Short-form video app startup Zigazoo, known for its TikTok-style video style for kids, is launching its own app aimed at Gen Z users, TechCrunch reported.
The new app will take the flagship name and is intended for ages 13 and up, while the original kid-focused app is for Generation Alpha (3-12) and has been renamed “Zigazoo Kids.” Former users in the younger age group will automatically be migrated to Zigazoo Kids. What is now known as Zigazoo Kids was launched in 2020 and has become the world’s largest social network for Generation Alpha.
The new Gen Z-focused app is a video thread-style platform that doesn’t allow users to comment on posts. Users will only be able to reply to each other via short-form videos, which Zigazoo believes reduces negative comments and trolling.
“We’ve had an amazing time scaling our Generation Alpha-focused social platform that has not only attracted millions of users, but also an amazing lineup of investors, celebrities and brands who love what we’ve built,” Zigazoo CEO and co – founder Zak Ringelstein said in a statement. “We decided to launch this new platform after seeing that so many Gen Zers, looking for a more positive and authentic social media environment, had already organically migrated to Zigazoo. We wanted to create a social media oasis that was specifically tailored for this audience. And the timing is perfect given the potential for TikTok to be banned from US users very soon.”
Ringelstein told TechCrunch that Zigazoo also saw an opening for the Gen Z app because there are already a large number of 12- to 14-year-olds and older teens on Zigazoo Kids, making up about 31% of users. Zigazoo is invite-only and launches on Saturday. Read more in TechCrunch.
3
Miami-based consumer products startup Vacation raises $6 million in Series A
Miami-based consumer products startup Vacation, founded in 2021, raised $6 million in Series A funding led by Silas Capital, with participation from True Beauty Ventures and BFG Partners. To date, the company has raised $11.2 million.
The company has developed a sunscreen brand with a “Miami pool party vibe,” according to The Business of Fashion, which reported the news. This month, the brand expanded to 700 more Ulta Beauty locations, its largest national partner, bringing the total to over 1,200 stores. Vacation expects to reach $20 million in retail sales by the end of the year.
4
NFT sushi restaurant launches in Miami
Charlie Rothkopf, a Miami-based entrepreneur and sushi enthusiast, and acclaimed chef Piyarat Potha Arreeratn, known as Chef Bee, are teaming up to launch the first-of-its-kind NFT sushi restaurant in Miami, Florida. The restaurant, called Miami Sushi Clubwill offer an exclusive dining experience that can only be accessed by NFT ownership, marking a new era in the restaurant industry, according to a press release.
The concept of NFTs, or non-fungible tokens, has exploded in recent years, with digital art, music and collectibles selling for millions of dollars. NFTs are unique digital assets that are verified on the blockchain, meaning they cannot be duplicated or counterfeited. Rothkopf saw an opportunity to apply this technology to the restaurant industry, creating a new type of dining experience that would appeal to foodies and art collectors alike.
“Miami Sushi Club will be a membership-based restaurant, where each NFT represents a membership that grants access to the restaurant. The NFTs will be sold as limited edition digital artwork, with two tiers of NFTs for reservations at the restaurant. The price of the NFT The ones have yet to be announced, but they are expected to be in demand among collectors and foodies alike, Rothkopf said.
The restaurant will be located in a secret location in Miami, accessible only to those who own the NFTs, and will offer an immersive dining experience that blends art and food.
5
GRUBBBRR attracts investment from celebrity chef
GRUBBBRR, an industry-leading global provider of self-ordering technologies, announced a new partnership and investment with celebrity chef, restaurateur and TV host Robert Irvine. Irvine is best known for rescuing failing restaurants on his hit show, Restaurant: Impossible. The terms of the investment were not released.
Together, they will tackle challenges plaguing the restaurant industry, including labor shortages and rising food costs, and help restaurant owners navigate the future of the industry, South Florida Tech Hub reported.
The new partnership will combine GRUBBBRR’s cutting-edge self-ordering technology and Robert Irvine’s restaurant expertise to create a unique solution for restaurants. The self-ordering solutions will provide customers with an efficient and convenient ordering experience, while improving general restaurant operations. Read more in the South Florida Tech Hub.
6
Home renovation proptech expands services to Florida
Freemodel, a technology-enabled pre-sale home improvement company, announced the debut of its services in Florida, starting with Miami, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, Tampa and Orlando. In addition, it has announced the appointment of Miami-based real estate sales executive Raymond Lord as director of partnerships for the region. With this expansion, Freemodel now offers its services to real estate agents and their clients in three states: Florida, California and Texas.
The Freemodel company fronts the costs of home improvements, and then handles design, construction management and staging. The homeowner pays Freemodel out of the deposit only after the home has been sold. This allows homeowners to capitalize on their investment and reap the maximum profit from the sale of their home, while protecting them from predatory flippers and iBuyers. Since launching in California three years ago, Freemodel reports that it has helped its agency partners earn their clients over $33 million in additional profits.
IN ADDITION TO
Opportunity is knocking
- Black Ambition has opened applications for the third annual Black Ambition Prize competition. The grand prize winner will receive $1 million, and at least 15 additional teams will receive prize awards of $15,000 to $250,000. Founded by Pharrell Williams and run by Miami’s Felecia Hatcher, Black Ambition has awarded funds and resources to 65 award winners – totaling $6 million. Read more and apply here. The deadline is May 8.
- Entrepreneur Ready received a $2 million grant from JPMorgan Chase to deploy it How to start the Something Acceleration program in Miami-Dade County and New York City from March to August 2023. The program will fund 300 entrepreneurs in each city who want to start a new business or spin-off, with a focus on helping small businesses founded by minority and female residents of Miami-Dade . the immersive learning accelerator and online platform offers a step-by-step learning framework, personal feedback from entrepreneurial coaches and access to weekly live workshops, online office hours and a community forum. Find more information and search here.
- Applications for Year 12 are now open FAU Tech Runway’s venture program. The Venture Program is a year-long program for startups that offers resources from FAU’s innovation and business development pipeline, entrepreneurial instruction, structured team-based mentoring, networking, marketing and fundraising assistance, co-working space, events, internal support, and other important programs. To apply, go here. Applications close on 14 April.
ICYMI:
Did you miss our Refresh Miami event with Karl Alomar, Managing Partner of M13 and former COO of DigitalOcean? See it here! And stay tuned for our next Signature Speaker event in June.
