VENTURE MIAMI COLLABORATES WITH AARP INNOVATION LAB
Published on January 21, 2022
City of Miami Mayor Francis Suarez’s Venture Miami Team is collaborating with AARP Innovation Labs to host a nationwide pitch competition on March 9, 2022 in Miami, FL. The pitch competition seeks innovators providing solutions to empower people as they age with opportunities for learning, entertainment, and connection to foster inclusive communities where everyone thrives.
Miami-Dade County is home to more than 2.7 million residents. More than a half-million of those residents are age 60-plus, which makes Miami-Dade home to the largest number of older adult residents in Florida.
The winner of the AARP Innovation Labs pitch competition supported by Venture Miami (City of Miami) will receive up to $20,000 and an opportunity to meet with Mayor Francis Suarez for a “Cafecito Talk”. The audience’s choice winner will receive $5,000. Other startups invited to pitch may be offered a spot in an upcoming AARP Innovation Labs’ accelerator cohort, where they can expect hands-on mentorship by a team with years of experience building and creating solutions for the 50+ audience.
“The Miami Movement is about leaving no one behind—it’s about every person who comes to Miami being able to find a life that they cherish and are proud of; which is why my Venture Miami Team is partnering with AARP Innovation Labs to deliver on that mission of creating a Miami for Everyone,” said Mayor Francis Suarez.
The competition is open to all early stage startups based out of the US that have raised less than $500,000 in annual revenue and received less than $10 million in investments. Six to eight finalists will be chosen to present.
“This pitch competition is a key opportunity for these startups to build strategic connections, collaborate and connect with mentors and investors to gain visibility and receive important feedback to help strengthen their business model and message,” said Andy Miller, AARP Senior Vice President, AARP Innovation Labs.
Andrew Parker, founder and CEO Papa, a Miami-based unicorn and thought leader in the age tech space, will participate as a speaker and share his experience with participants.
“As individuals, as communities and as a society at large, we owe every older adult the ability to thrive. While many see this as a problem to solve, I see it as an opportunity – one we have toapproach with new thinking and collaboration. I’m excited to hear from teams at the upcoming pitch competition, and to share some of my own experiences about building and scaling Papa right here in Miami,” said Parker.
Finalists must be available in person on March 9th in Miami. All selected finalists will be responsible for their own travel and lodging Applications to join the AARP Innovation Labs and Venture Miami (City of Miami) pitch competition are now being accepted. The deadline to submit an application is Thursday, February 3, 2022. For more information, visit https://aarpinnovationlabs.org/apply-for-connect-thrive-pitch-competition/.
For terms and conditions and for official rules, please visit https://aarpinnovationlabs.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/AARP-Pitch-Competition-Sweepstake-Rules-Thrive-and-Connect-Pitch.pdf
About Venture Miami
Venture Miami is a portfolio team that was assembled by and reports directly to City of Miami Mayor Francis Suarez. The mission and goal of the Venture Miami team is to make Miami the "capital of capital" with an innovative technology ecosystem and economy that delivers for everyone. Our five pillars are (1) provide concierge support for funders & founders. (2) connect talent to jobs. (3) meaningfully promote diversity, equity & inclusion. (4) bridge connections between new to market entities and the existing innovation ecosystem. (5) support regional collaboration amongst other local governments, economic development agencies & organizations
About AARP
AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence and nearly 38 million members, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also produces the nation's largest circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more visit http://www.aarp.org, http://www.aarp.org/espanol or follow @AARP, @AARPenEspanol and @AARPadvocates, @AliadosAdelante on social media.
About AARP Innovation Labs
AARP Innovation Labs discovers and supports the most promising startups tackling our most pressing issues as we age. Our AgeTech ecosystem allows various stakeholders to connect and foster solution-oriented products and services that will impact the $8 trillion longevity economy.
Contact:
Kelly Montoya
Director, Communications at University of Miami and Venture Miami Senior Advisor for Strategic Engagement to Mayor Francis Suarez
Cell: 305-431-8766
Email: k.montoya@miami.edu
AARP CONTACT
Vanessa Camozzi, 202-706-2701, vcamozzi@aarp.org, @AARPMedia