Periodic blooms of the macroalgae Sargassum appear to be occurring more frequently and causing greater damage to the coastal marine ecosystem along the Atlantic Coast, impacting local fishing and tourism. As a result, the Miami-Dade Innovation Authority, Inc. (“MDIA”) has issued a Challenge for a sustainable solution to the problem that requires expensive clean up and produces noxious irritants affecting area communities.
“We are thrilled to officially launch the first in a series of public innovation challenges that will provide entrepreneurs access to critical funding necessary to test and validate their ideas in a real-word environment, foster collaboration, and drive economic prosperity by harnessing the power of technology to solve the critical issues impacting our community,” said Leigh-Ann A. Buchanan, President & CEO of MDIA
At least three (3) global early-to-growth stage technology start-ups will each be awarded $100,000 to conduct research on how to process sargassum in an environmentally responsible manner, while prioritizing the health and safety of end users.
The selected companies will be shortlisted for a product testing program during the onset of the 2024 sargassum seaweed season. The MDIA will oversee each testing process, working closely with the chosen companies to publish a report with key finding. It will be distributed and publicized among a network of partners and resources.
Applicants will be judged by experts gathered by The Nature Conservancy in Florida (TNC) and the winning companies will be announced in December 2023. The deadline to submit proposals is Friday, September 29, 2023.
This first challenge inaugurates a series of open calls by the MDIA to address problems Miami-Dade faces in the areas of health, housing, climate, transportation, and education and opportunity. These public challenges throughout each year are part of the distribution of more than $1 million annually. Founded just this year via the collaboration of Miami-Dade County and key technology leaders a total of $9 million in seed funding was raised, an equal match of private, public and philanthropic funding.
These initiatives may serve as a model for other cities and municipalities around the world to use innovation to improve the quality of life for residents. Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava expresses the importance of the Challenge to the local community.
“Miami-Dade County sits uniquely at the intersection of environment and innovation. We’ve spent over $4.2 million on sargassum cleanup in 2022 alone. And while this naturally occurring event can disrupt our beautiful beaches, we are committed to finding environmentally friendly solutions to mitigate its impact and protect the wildlife that depend on its shelter,” said Mayor Levine Cava.
“The MDIA is dedicated to cultivating a thriving innovation ecosystem in Miami-Dade County,” summed up MDIA President Buchanan.
