Why now is the right time for a defense ecosystem in South Florida
The following guest post from Tyler Johnson of Laowai Enterprises was originally posted aquí on October 1, 2023.
South Florida is ripe for a catalyst. The defense ecosystem can be the accelerator. The fragmented approach today will not be the way forward. Success includes accelerated economic expansion, increased talent pools, enablement of educational institutions, innovation in new technologies, and broader engagement with the communities.
A defense ecosystem in the United States refers to the interconnected network of government entities, private sector companies, academic institutions, and research organizations, all collaboratively engaged in the creation, development, production, and refinement of defense technologies, strategies, policies, and solutions. It encompasses a wide range of components, including the Department of Defense (DoD), the Armed Forces, defense contractors, suppliers, research and development institutions, and think tanks, all operating symbiotically to ensure the nation’s security and military superiority.
Economic Explosion
Technology Ecosystem — Healthcare, Finance, Quantum, Cyber, Climate….AI enabled.
The South Florida tech scene is alive and well. Recent reports put Miami/South Florida on par with other tech hubs like Austin, New York, and the Bay Area. While some of those areas like Austin have built significant defense related ecosystems, Miami/South Florida has yet to capture the tailwinds mainly due to lack of strategy/vision coupled with execution. Envisioning South Florida as a leader/creator in healthcare, finance, cyber, space and quantum for defense related use is not that far away.
Today, you do not see the presence of organizations needed to enable the connecting points between the private and public sectors across South Florida. There are multiple components to the ecosystem……funding programs and operational programs. Some of the funding programs include Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR), Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs, Defense Advanced Research Projects (DARPA), In-Q-Tel (Intel Agencies) venture program, and National Nanotech Initiative (NNI). The operational programs include non-profit organizations who support government entities (AFWERX, SOFWERX…), as well as private non-profit companies helping to streamline the processes by offering subject matter expertise which enables the programmatic use of the funds.
The collaboration between government agencies, private firms, and academic institutions within the defense ecosystem fuels innovation and technological advancements in defense-related fields. The benefit to the community is job growth, attraction of larger government contracting companies and the development of exported technologies from South Florida which provides the stickiness to keep the money flows in Florida.
Lastly, with the shifting of global supply chains, reshoring/nearshoring play significant roles of the future. The benefactor with be South Florida. The move from Asia represents significant opportunity for innovators, manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, and new trade agreements. We have the unique opportunity to build new things closer to home and own the larger pieces of the supply chain.
Private/Public Scale — Innovation Centers, Soft Landing Accelerators, Funding
Based on several factors, South Florida is prime for scaling private public partnerships.
1.) You have easy access to most of our friendly country alliances. Domestically, you have strong access to the nation.
2.) You have handfuls of soft-landing programs within the community which provide facilities, technology and funding to jointly innovate.
3.) You have a centralized data/communications hub. You will need compute power to make this work.
4.) You have a large talent pool with universities, regional and corporate headquarters, and a state with friendly business policies.
It will take stronger global alliances with like-minded countries in order to scale. Scale will be driven by people, access, money and technology.
Community Engagement — Homestead, Southern Command, Veterans, Employment
A defense ecosystem strengthens the bond with the community. From Homestead’s economic impact to Southern Command’s expertise. Southern Command’s responsibilities include 31 countries and one sixth of the landmass of the world. They see a lot; they provide security and support to large populations and protect some critical relationships. As such, strengthen community ties enables them to strengthen their mission on a number of fronts.
1.) University Partnerships — Talent, recruit, resources, soft power
2.) Corporate Partnerships — New tech flows, joint development, soft power
3.) Recruitment — Awareness and new career paths for the community
Through educational programs, training, and research opportunities, the defense ecosystem cultivates a skilled and knowledgeable workforce capable of addressing the multifaceted challenges of modern defense.
National Security Enhancement
The foremost importance of the defense ecosystem is to safeguard the national security of the United States. It ensures the development and deployment of advanced military capabilities, intelligence services, and strategic defense solutions to protect the nation from external threats, terrorism, and cyber-attacks.
Dual Use Technologies — AI enabled Cyber Security, Healthcare, Drones, New Materials
Dual-use technologies refer to innovations and products developed primarily for one purpose but have applications in another domains, usually balancing between civilian and military uses. Essentially, these are technologies that can be utilized for both peaceful and combat-related purposes. Dual-use technologies can encompass a wide range of areas, including biological, chemical, nuclear, aerospace, information technology, and more. Examples include Nuclear Technologies, GPS, Drones, Satellite Technologies, Next Generation Communication Technologies (Internet), Biotech, and AI/ML.
South Florida would be prime for several key technologies include space innovations, advanced healthcare research, advanced cyber capability, and advanced AI + Quantum research and use cases. Mapping Veteran healthcare solutions to private healthcare resources and facilities could prove explosive for new types of solutions across mental and physical areas. Mapping university AI labs to government databases and technologies could accelerate use cases by providing new data sets and languages. Mapping new solutions in medical, finance and insurance with Quantum + AI could speed up the process of go-to-market offerings.
Geography/Access — The Latam and Europe Connection
Miami and South Florida are easy to get to. There are multiple access points for travel. There are over 60 direct countries via MIA and FLL. New train services are connecting Florida cities which allow synergies with the hubs in Orlando, Tampa, and Jacksonville. These cities have significant expertise in multiple technologies like AR/VR, Cyber, and Space Technolgies.
Additionally, Miami serves as a transcontinental data hub, housing several important data cables that facilitate global internet traffic, particularly between North America, Latin America, and Europe. The presence of multiple high-capacity data centers in South Florida makes it a crucial node for data storage, processing, and transmission. These centers support a myriad of services, including cloud computing, content delivery, and other IT services, essential for various industries.
Connectivity — Communication and Money Flows
The symbiotic relationship between finance and data networks in South Florida amplifies the region’s significance. The advanced data network infrastructure supports the evolving needs of the financial sector, while the financial activities fuel investments in technology and data services. This mutual reinforcement positions South Florida as a pivotal region for both data networks and finance, influencing economic activities and technological advancements locally, regionally, and globally.
Miami and the surrounding areas have developed into significant financial hubs, hosting numerous banks, investment firms, and financial services companies. The intersection of finance and technology in the region has given rise to a burgeoning fintech ecosystem, fostering innovation in financial services. The robust real estate sector drives financial activities related to property investment, development, financing, and management.
Education and University Transformation
R&D Centers — # of universities
Depending on the cutoff point, there are over 14+ universities and colleges across south Florida with an estimated enrollment over ~200,000 students. These include private, public and community colleges. They specialize in anything from cyber security to nursing to international policy. UIF is the fastest growing university in the state with a national security research center, entrepreneur programs and advanced foreign policy programs. Nova Southeastern University (NSU) boosts a state-of-the-art innovation center fit with AI labs, robotics labs, space programs, cyber range and country desks. The universidad de miami represents the healthcare arena with its advanced research, facilities and medical care ecosystems. Several schools have leading nursing programs like NSU, Barry University, and Keiser University. Miami-Dade College just launched an AI Center focused on developing the next generation of talent.
Here’s a list of some of them:
- Florida International University (FIU)
- Florida Atlantic University (FAU)
- University of Miami (UM)
- Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU)
- Nova Southeastern University (NSU)
- Barry University
- Lynn University
- St. Thomas University
- Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBA)
- Keiser University
- Carlos Albizu University-Miami
- Universidad de Miami-Dade
- Broward College
- Palm Beach State College
These universities and colleges contribute significantly to the educational landscape of South Florida, offering a myriad of learning and research opportunities to local, national, and international students compared to other regions in the US which are limited to a handful of institutions and limited programs.
Talent Development — Scale with diversity and demographics
The diversity of people and thought in south Florida leads the US. It’s a view into the future of the nation. The mix of cultures, communities, and thought have created a stew of new age thinking, opportunity, and drive. This is enabled by the large number of universities, economic activity throughout the cities, towns and counties.
Through educational programs, training, and research opportunities, the defense ecosystem cultivates a skilled and knowledgeable workforce capable of addressing the multifaceted challenges of modern defense. It nurtures talent and expertise essential for sustaining the nation’s defense capabilities.
Community Programs for Veterans — Enhance the talent pool and innovation
Military Veterans play a critical role in enhancing the talent pool as well as innovation of next generation technologies. By nature, defense ecosystems attract military Veterans and their families. This community can be instrumental in creating new businesses for the cities, counties and region. More business equals more tax revenues, spending and money flows. Additionally, Veterans play significant roles in connecting the dots between the private and public partnerships which are essential to creating and maintaining relationships. We need more programs at the universities and regional level to bring together these individuals.
South Florida is The Place…..
A new ecosystem in South Florida can unify community programs, leverage the large education system with joint research and talent pools. A new ecosystem can help prioritize next generation technologies which can be exported. A new ecosystem can scale international relationships which support common goals. With a little awareness, focus and subject matter experts this can be real.
God Bless America.
TJ
Explore Part 2 and more on Tyler’s substack, Laowai Enterprises here.
