As part of the Founder Institute’s Startup Ecosystem Leaders series, we were pleased to welcome FI program co-directors Roxette Miranda & James for an update on the latest developments in Florida's startup and tech ecosystem.
Roxette Miranda has been a co-director of the Florida Founder Institute accelerator for over 3 years now, and is the Director of The LAB Miami, one of the city’s premiere startup hubs and physical co-working spaces for entrepreneurs. She is also a Partners at 305 Works, an angel investor, and a past Program Manager for various other startup accelerators.
James Irvine has also been co-director of the Florida Founder Institute accelerator for 3+ years, is the Founder of ‘Pitch Night’ in the greater NYC area, a monthly series of community pitch competitions. He likewise is a Partner at 305 Works, has been an angel investor, as well as previously worked with other accelerators programs; and earlier in his career focused on commercial banking with both JPMorgan and Merrill Lynch.
In this video, FI Florida co-directors Roxette Miranda & James Irvine share their thoughts on the ‘state of the startup’ today in Miami, and across the wider Florida statewide tech ecosystem, which new and emerging developments excite them for the near future, what has surprised them most in working with early-stage entrepreneurs, and much more.
Plus, learn a few startup success stories of recent FI Florida Alumni, about the amazing local program partners and mentors, and open event dates and application deadlines for the upcoming Florida Spring 2026 Founder Institute pre-seed accelerator cohort!
Watch FI HQ's full interview with FI Florida Co-Directors Roxette Miranda & James Irvine:
If you're a Florida-based pre-seed stage entrepreneur interested in finding direction on your own startup journey, and you haven’t done so already, head over here to learn more about the next FI Florida Spring 2026 accelerator cohort.
Or, join us at one of these upcoming Florida startup events:
- Founder’s Guide to AI: Using AI to Increase Productivity: 1:00pm, Jul 16, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/373465
- Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
- Founder’s Guide to AI: Using Agentic Workflows to Automate Repetitive Tasks: 1:00pm, Jul 23, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/373585
- Best Practices on Building Innovation Hubs for Universities & Colleges: 1:00pm, Jul 24, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/375930
- Responsible AI for Startups: Frameworks You Can Apply from Day One: 1:00pm, Jul 28, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/376085
- Entrepreneurship Education: Lessons from Startup Accelerators: 1:00pm, Aug 07, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/375290
- How to Come Up with Great Startup Ideas: 1:00pm, Aug 11, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/374572
- Co-Founder Networking: Find a Business Partner: 1:00pm, Aug 18, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/374774
- Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert Feedback: 1:00pm, Aug 25, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/375441
- Ask an Investor Anything: Q&A with Rich Maloy: 8:00pm, Sep 08, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/376574
- How to Get Investors to Notice Your Startup: AMA with Marta Marrucco: 1:00pm, Sep 17, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/373854
Applications to the Florida Spring 2026 Founder Institute are now open, and anyone building an applicable tech company can apply at FI.co/apply/miami.
Graduates of the Founder Institute are creating some of the world's fastest growing startups, having raised over $1.85BN in funding, and building products people love across over 200 cities worldwide.
See the most recent news from our Grads at FI.co/news, or learn more about their stories at FI.co/graduates.
