As climate change impacts increase in frequency and devastation, the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) has created 31 tech hubs across the country, including one in South Florida. On the heels of winning $19.5 million in federal funding, the South Florida ClimateReady Tech Hub has enlisted the help of sustainable infrastructure global leader Black & Veatch for consultation on various ClimateReady initiatives.
As part of that collaboration, Black & Veatch will provide innovation and strategic advisory services, as well as insights from the company’s IgniteX Accelerator Program that provides climate tech startups with mentorship, co-development, piloting and marketing intelligence from Black & Veatch. The company will donate in-kind services for the first two years, providing annual market survey insight for coastal defense and resiliency.
“It is important to the Black & Veatch team to meaningfully help communities across the country combat the growing threat of climate change,” said Rafael Frias, East Segment director and vice president for Black & Veatch. “Through our work with climate startups, our experts are uniquely aware of what it takes to foster and grow climate resilient business ventures, and they look forward to leveraging our deep expertise in climate solutions to help propel the Miami-Dade ClimateReady Tech Hub’s important efforts in South Florida.”
The South Florida ClimateReady Tech Hub aims to focus on climate-ready infrastructure, coasts and energy efficiencies while facilitating collaboration with local government, creating opportunities for policy innovation and entrepreneurship, and striving for an equitable workforce.
“Because we offer our clients innovative solutions and our own facilities and practices are pushing the envelope in technological advancements, we’re passionate about launching first-of-a-kind technologies to drive market competition,” said Jennifer Divito, president of BV Operations. “The world is constantly changing and in need of bold, large-scale resilient and sustainable infrastructure solutions built to meet the specific climate-induced conditions of key regions. Black & Veatch is at the forefront of that change, and we look forward to bringing our experience and expertise to this state-of-the-art climate tech hub.”