The future of dual-use innovation, technologies that serve both commercial markets and national security, depends on speed, real-world validation, and collaboration with mission-critical stakeholders.
Miami, with its unmatched trade infrastructure, hemispheric connectivity, and public‑private innovation efforts, is the ideal proving ground for startups in maritime, logistics, and border tech. Miami stands as the preeminent U.S. gateway to Latin America and the Caribbean, handling two-thirds of Florida’s trade. In 2023, the Miami Customs District’s 2023 exports reached nearly $140 billion, with Miami International Airport and PortMiami alone accounting for half of Florida’s trade volume. This deep hemispheric integration positions Miami as a prime platform for scaling logistics, surveillance, and border-related solutions across multinational real-world contexts.
PortMiami & Miami International Airport: Dual Powerhouses for National Security Testing
PortMiami is a critical node: the largest cruise port globally and among the top U.S. container ports. It handles over 1 million TEUs annually and contributes $43 billion in annual economic impact, supporting over 334,000 jobs. Miami International Airport served nearly 56 million passengers and 3 million metric tons of cargo in 2024. It’s the top U.S. entry point for international freight and Latin America-bound commerce. This co-location of both major port and airport creates unparalleled opportunities for testing dual-use logistics, surveillance, cargo tracking, or border security solutions in highly interconnected environments. The upcoming eMerge National Security Demo Day will capitalize on this strategic setting, delivering live, scenario-based showcases that bring mission-ready startups face-to-face with government buyers, public-safety officials, and mission-aligned investors, all within the fabric of Miami’s operational infrastructure.
Miami National Security Innovation: A Hub of Flexibility and Opportunity
Miami isn’t just about volume, it’s actively catalyzing innovation. From a strategic infrastructure & trade flexibility standpoint, Miami hosts over 300 Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) operations allowing duty deferral, reduction, or elimination – especially agile under the Alternative Site Framework, which accelerates site designation and streamlines supply chain innovation. Miami’s diverse, multilingual talent pool furthers stakeholder engagement across the Americas, while veteran-led startups and mission-seasoned operators bring operational rigor and a deep understanding of national security constraints. These teams build dependable, rapid-deployable solutions, reinforcing Miami’s reputation for real-world readiness.
Why Miami Leads in Dual-Use & National Security Startups
Miami’s unique combination of strategic hemispheric connections, high-density trade infrastructure, innovation-minded public agencies, flexible logistics frameworks, and multicultural networks makes it an exceptionally powerful proving ground for dual-use startups.
Here, founders can:
- Engage directly with real stakeholders.
- Access high-volume cargo and passenger hubs.
- Rapidly pilot data-driven solutions in logistics, maritime, and border security.
If you’re building at the intersection of innovation and national security, there’s no better place to test, iterate, and scale than Miami. Interested in staying connected to eMerge NATIONAL SECURITY? Sign up HERE.
As eMerge Americas continues to evolve, we’re more committed than ever to fostering collaboration, sparking innovation, and highlighting the transformative power of Florida’s thriving tech ecosystem.
