1
Non-alcoholic spirits brand Aplós raises $5M
Aplós, a Miami-based functional, non-alcoholic spirits startup, recently announced it has closed a $5 million funding round to fuel continued growth in the fast-expanding alcohol alternative space. The investors were not disclosed.
The latest investment will enable Aplós to scale production, expand its hospitality and retail footprint, and accelerate innovation across both spirits and ready-to-drink formats. In 2025, Aplós expanded into 2,000+ new retail doors, and now appears on over 1,000 menus nationwide across Michelin-starred restaurants, top bars, and luxury hotels such as COTE Korean Steakhouse, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Atelier Crenn and Edition Hotels.
Aplós, founded in 2020 by Emily Onkey and David Fudge, reports that is one of the fastest-growing non-alcoholic spirits brands in the country. The brand has redefined the non-alcoholic landscape by elevating non-alcoholic options beyond the “mocktail” moniker with functional spirits rooted in craftsmanship and intentional design. What’s more, its growth reflects a broader cultural shift: 54% of U.S. adults now say they drink.
“We’re entering a new era of drinking,” said Fudge, the CEO. “Now more than ever, people are questioning the role alcohol plays in their lives out of a desire to feel better, live intentionally, and still enjoy the rituals they love. Aplós was created to meet that moment and to help shape the bar of the future. This next chapter positions us to bring our zero-proof, zero-compromise mindset to an even broader audience.”
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Neocis launches next-generation robotic platform
Neocis, the pioneer behind the only U.S. FDA-cleared robotic system for dental implant surgery, has launched its next-generation robotic platform: Yomi S. The new FDA-approved system, powered by advanced AI software YomiPlan, delivers surgical precision, streamlined workflows, and high-quality patient outcomes.
Yomi S can now be operated by a single practitioner via foot pedal and touchscreen, freeing up staff resources and making robotic-assisted implant surgery more accessible to general dentists. The system features a smaller footprint, enhanced dexterity, better visibility, and a new AI-powered planning suite that automates complex preoperative tasks, the company said.
“Yomi S isn’t just groundbreaking for dental robotics; it sets a new standard for robotic surgery in general, said Alon Mozes, founder and CEO of Miami-based Neocis. “We’ve combined robotic precision with an intuitive, surgeon-friendly design to make implant surgery faster and more accessible than ever before. Yomi has nearly completed 100,000 osteotomies, and we’re excited to accelerate growth with Yomi S to deliver the best care to patients everywhere.”
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SynthBee hires Lockheed Martin exec as SVP
Fort Lauderdale-based SynthBee appointed John G. Clark, a longtime Lockheed Martin executive, as senior vice president of engineering systems and manufacturing operations. Clark, who held several roles over his 27 years at the aerospace and defense giant, was most recently Lockheed Martin’s SVP for technology and strategic innovation.
“John brings a hands-on, fast, agile, and brilliant Skunk Works® innovation ethos and rapid product development leadership and world-class excellence to our team,” said SynthBee founder and CEO Rony Abovitz.
SynthBee is building a collaborative intelligence platform that will prioritize human-centered design, privacy, transparency and accurate outcomes. The goal is to enable businesses to solve complex scientific, engineering and creative challenges more safely and effectively.
READ MORE: Crossroads Summit 2025: Cutting through the chaos, seeing the future, embracing innovation
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Tukki secures $1M as 43North winner
Miami-based Tukki was the big winner of Buffalo, New York’s 43North competition, securing a $1M investment and entry into the 43North accelerator program in the U.S. Tukki’s platform helps founders and professionals navigate the U.S. visa process in a more organized, smooth, and precise way.
Every year, 43North brings together startups to compete for funding, mentorship, and a chance to join Buffalo’s growing tech scene. This year’s cohort drew more than 1,000 applicants, and Tukki was one of just eight to pitch live on stage. Last year’s big winner was also from Miami: Evan Leaphart, founder of KreditAcademy.
Buffalo’s strategic location between the U.S. and Canada, just a few hours from New York, Washington D.C., and Toronto, creates opportunities for collaboration and cross-border growth, Tukki said in a blog post. Through 43North’s network, Tukki will now be able to expand its B2B efforts while continuing to strengthen its B2C product.
“This investment gives us the runway to accelerate what we already know works,” said Tukki CEO and co-founder Ramiro Ramiro, who will be moving to Buffalo for the next year. “It’s the right moment to grow, to connect with new partners, and to keep building technology that simplifies one of the most complex journeys in a person’s life.”
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UrbanLink inks partnership to bring its air taxis to airports
UrbanLink Air Mobility, a pioneering Miami-based advanced air and maritime mobility operator, and Signature Aviation, a leading network of private aviation terminals, have forged a partnership to explore the safe and scalable expansion of all-electric air operations in Florida. In addition, Signature and UrbanLink are actively pursuing the establishment of UrbanLink’s operating and maintenance base at a South Florida Airport.
Ed Wegel, UrbanLink’s founder, chairman and CEO, said its operating teams are already working closely together on route development and base planning to ensure a seamless transition to all-electric air mobility. “The use of private aviation terminals is critical as we launch operations and await the build-out of vertiport infrastructure to support flight operations beyond existing airports. We will also be working closely with Signature on the planning and development of those vertiports,” added Wegel.
Miami-based UrbanLink has purchased dozens of eVTOL’s to function as air taxis for a transportation system that will eventually have routes across South Florida and to Orlando, Tampa and the Florida Keys.
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More delivery robots on the way
Autonomous delivery company Coco Robotics and local commerce platform DoorDash are bringing autonomous deliveries to Miami for the first time, and expanding in Los Angeles and Chicago.
Coco’s robots now fulfill select orders from DashMart, DoorDash’s owned and operated delivery-only sites that offer customers fresh groceries, retail items, household essentials, local favorites, and more delivered right to their doorstep. DoorDash’s network of DashMart locations also power DashMart Fulfillment Services, a new model for retailers to strengthen the reach of their products and gain visibility with potential new customers. Through this expanded partnership, Coco will now support deliveries on behalf of national grocers and retailers for the first time via DashMart Fulfillment Services.
Coco Robotics has already completed over 500,000 zero-emission deliveries and is rapidly expanding its fleet as part of a capital-efficient approach to real-world autonomy. The company is on track to deploy more than 10,000 robots in 2026. Zach Rash, co-founder and CEO of Coco Robotics said: “With our latest expansion together into a dynamic urban environment like Miami, we can bring autonomous delivery to more customers, as well as to restaurants and retailers through DashMart and beyond.”
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Inter Bike share comes to the Underline
Miami’s bike share lineup now includes a new addition: Inter Bike. As the official bike share system of The Underline, the iconic orange bikes will now make it easier for residents and tourists to safely enjoy Miami’s 10-mile linear park that connects Brickell, Coconut Grove, Coral Gables, and eventually Dadeland.
This is just one of the investments that Inter, the digital bank with over 40 million customers, is making towards the city’s physical and social infrastructure. According to the International Trade Commission, Miami is the second-most visited city in the U.S., and this project is expected to benefit both residents and visitors.
People don’t need an Inter account to use the bikes, but Inter customers can get free rides as a perk. Bikes can be accessed using the Inter Bike App.
READ MORE: Inter bets on Miami as it brings its super app to the US
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Moonlighter launches Maker Cities
Moonlighter FabLab has launched Maker Cities, an NSF-funded initiative designed to prepare people for the jobs of the future by empowering adults with hands-on skills in advanced manufacturing, digital design, and creative problem-solving.
Each year, 20 participants join a six-month, studio-based program to learn CAD/CAM, 3D printing, laser cutting, and CNC milling, while also diving into design thinking and entrepreneurship. Participants receive a $5,000 stipend, a year-long FabLab residency, mentorship, and certifications that open doors to careers in design, manufacturing, and engineering — or even launching their own ventures.
Applications for Maker Cities Cohort 1 are open now! Learn more and a apply here.
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Jobs, jobs, jobs
Arena Entertainment – Customer Support Agent
DoorLoop – AI Engineer
DoorLoop – Customer Marketing Manager
DoorLoop – Customer Success & Onboarding Operations Analyst
eMed – Desktop Support Engineer
Extenteam – Head of Growth & Marketing
Hello Gov AI – Customer Success Specialist
Hello Gov AI – Software Engineer (Back-End)
Kandji – Director of Engineering, Compliance
Kandji – VP of Marketing
Novo – Escalations Support Specialist
Playbypoint – Onboarding Lead
Find hundreds more jobs on Refresh Miami’s job board here.
10-PLUS
Opportunity knocks
The Alan B. Levan | NSU Broward Center of Innovation supports veteran entrepreneurs through the Veterans Facilitated Business Model Canvas Program, a complimentary 10-week course designed to help veterans build and validate business ideas. Participants gain practical tools in design thinking, marketing, technology, and financial management, guided by experienced facilitators, serial entrepreneurs, and mentors. The program runs January 13th – March 17th and participants meet at the Levan Center on Tuesdays from 4:30–7:00 PM. Learn more and apply today: Learn more and apply by Dec. 6.
eMerge Americas will be hosting a SHINE! Pitch Competition on Wednesday, 12/17 at The Lab Wynwood. Applications are now open for early-stage startups with at least one female founder. Six startups will be selected to pitch live, and the winner will receive a $2,500 grant and a fast-track spot in the 2026 eMerge Accelerator + Showcase. Apply here.
Apply to catapult your startup at the 2026 eMerge Americas Conference + Expo April 23–24 in Miami, where 100 startups will be selected to learn from class mentors, connect with investors and partners, showcase in front of thousands, and potentially pitch for $125K in funding and prizes in the grand finale. Learn more and apply by Jan. 16.
Looking to raise capital? Apply now to present in front of an audience of investors at the Florida Venture Forum’s 2026 Florida Venture Capital Conference Feb. 23–25 at the Loews Coral Gables. Apply here.
The Miami Dade Innovation Authority (MDIA) has launched its seventh public innovation challenge and it is centered on emergency response. MDIA is seeking applications from early-to-growth stage startups with pilot-ready solutions to improve hazard mitigation, incident response, and public outreach and safety coordination for the Miami-Dade County Department of Emergency Management. Apply here.
The SMB Growth Lab, hosted by eMerge Americas, JPMorganChase + Momentum Miami, empowes Miami-Dade small and mid-sized businesses to embrace digital transformation, strengthen operations, and unlock sustainable growth opportunities. Apply here by Jan. 16.
Israeli founders can showcase their startup, product, or breakthrough solution to global investors, partners and media at Israel Tech Week Miami 2026 next April. Apply now on the website here.
ICYMI
Have news to report? Email Nancy Dahlberg at [email protected] and follow her on X @ndahlberg and on LinkedIn. Subscribe to Refresh Miami’s free weekly newsletter here featuring startup news, tech job opportunities and events.
I am a writer and editor with extensive media experience and a passion for journalism and serving the community. Most of my career has been spent with the Miami Herald in business news, and my expertise is writing about tech and entrepreneurs. I love hosting this blog for Refresh Miami and we aim to be the go-to site for South Florida startup and tech news, features and views. Have news? Contact me at [email protected]. Thanks for reading! Latest posts by Nancy Dahlberg (see all) 10+ things to know in #MiamiTech: News from Aplós, Neocis, SynthBee, Tukki, UrbanLink, DoorDash, Inter Bike, Moonlighter & more – November 24, 2025 Crossroads Summit 2025: Cutting through the chaos, seeing the future, embracing innovation – November 22, 2025 On funding, building a team and scaling, here’s real talk from women founders in the trenches – November 19, 2025