Page, with an estimated net worth of $276 billion, isn\u2019t the only Silicon Valley billionaire eyeing Miami as California\u00a0debates<\/a>\u00a0a proposed one-time wealth tax on residents with net worths above $1 billion. Google co-founder Sergey Brin is reportedly shopping for a Miami home too. \u201cPretty much every other day I\u2019m showing property to a client from the San Francisco Bay Area,\u201d Dina Goldentayer of real estate firm Douglas Elliman told the Wall Street Journal.<\/p>\n Of course, the relatively recent billionaire march to Miami isn\u2019t confined to Californians and it started during the pandemic. Citadel\u2019s Ken Griffin moved both his family and his company to the area starting in 2022, and has since donated more than $150 million to healthcare and education causes in South Florida. On stage at the America Business Forum<\/a> with Francis Suarez in November, \u00a0Jeff Bezos, who grew up in the Miami area and moved back in 2023<\/a> after buying several properties, hinted about even more home town love in the future. And last week, Thiel Capital, the private investment firm founded by Peter Thiel, announced it has opened a new office<\/a> in Wynwood; Thiel has had a personal residence here since 2020 and opened a local Founders Fund office in 2021. Who\u2019s next?<\/p>\n \u00a02<\/p>\n New defense-tech company makes 2 acquisitions<\/p>\n Magnet Defense<\/a>, a Miami-based developer of fully autonomous national security maritime platforms for fleet operations and missile defense missions, announced two acquisitions this week. Both announcements were brief but expect more Refresh Miami reporting on this new company soon. Magnet Defense, co-founded by Marc Bell who also co-founded Terran Orbital, emerged last month<\/a> \u201cfrom two years of quiet development.\u201d<\/p>\n Today, Magnet Defense entered into a definitive agreement to\u00a0acquire\u00a0Advanced Technology Group. ATG delivers\u00a0end-to-end development and integration of advanced\u00a0command and control and AI capabilities for\u00a0air, space,\u00a0maritime, and surface platforms. ATG\u2019s open-architecture AI solutions will be incorporated ito Magnet Defense\u2019s\u00a0DefendAI\u00a0battlespace management suite, becoming the brains and backbone behind Magnet Defense\u2019s end-to-end\u00a0AI-enabled\u00a0autonomous maritime defense solutions, the company said. ATG\u2019s capabilities will accelerate Magnet Defense\u2019s seamless integration of its platforms into theater and operational battlespace management systems.\u00a0<\/p>\n And earlier this week, Magnet Defense announced it has completed the acquisition of Metal Shark, a designer and shipbuilder of maritime platforms for defense and law enforcement missions. Metal Shark has more than 20 years of shipbuilding experience and has delivered more than 2,000 vessels worldwide, including hundreds to the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, and allied military forces, and this acquisition brings AI-enabled unmanned surface vessels (USV) to Magnet Defense\u2019s mission. \u201cMetal Shark\u2019s two shipyards in Louisiana are the hubs from which Magnet Defense will deliver critical capabilities for the U.S. Golden Fleet initiative,\u201d Bell shared on LinkedIn<\/a>.<\/p>\n 3<\/p>\n Florida CEOs more optimistic about 2026 than its peers<\/p>\n Florida CEOs wrapped up 2025 with stronger overall optimism than their national counterparts, according to The Florida Council of 100\u2019s<\/a> Q4 2025 CEO Economic Outlook Index.<\/p>\n Florida\u2019s overall CEO Economic Outlook Index score increased from 91 in Q3 to 100 in Q4, compared to the national index coming in at 80. Florida\u2019s index rose 9 points quarter-over-quarter, compared to a 4-point increase nationally.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cFlorida\u2019s business leaders remain confident in the state\u2019s economic fundamentals as we look ahead to the next six months These numbers show growing optimism when it comes to hiring and sales and steady gains in investment, even amid broader national uncertainty,\u201d\u00a0 said Mike Simas, President & CEO of The Florida Council of 100.<\/p>\n A few interesting details:<\/p>\n Florida CEOs anticipate solid revenue growth, with 71% expecting sales to increase over the next six months.<\/p>\n Half (50%) of Florida CEOs expect capital investments to rise, signaling continued commitment to infrastructure, expansion, and innovation.<\/p>\n More than six in ten Florida CEOs (61%) expect employment levels to increase over the next six months.<\/p>\n Last year, the Florida Council of 100 Foundation joined Related Ross and eMerge Americas in launching<\/a> the Gold Coast Tech Accelerator<\/a>, which recently graduated its first cohorts in West Palm Beach and Miami.<\/p>\n 4<\/p>\n FII Priority Miami Summit returns in March<\/p>\n Mark your calendars: This week, the FII Institute announced the return of the FII PRIORITY Miami Summit<\/a>. The 2026 conference \u2013 which will be its fourth time<\/a> in the Miami are \u2013 will take place March 25\u201327. The theme will be \u201cCapital in Motion\u201d as \u201cpolicymakers, investors and innovators converge to examine how capital, technology, and policy can unlock sustainable and inclusive growth, with the Americas at the center of global transformation,\u201d FII said. Building on momentum from the recent FII PRIORITY Asia Summit in Tokyo, Miami aims to deliver a cross-regional perspective on investment flows, economic resilience, and opportunity creation, organizers said, and serve as the lead up to the 10th edition of FII\u2019s flagship summit in Riyadh in October.<\/p>\n \u201cMiami is not just a location, it is a signal,\u201d said Richard Attias, Chairman of the Executive Committee and Acting CEO of FII Institute. \u201cAt a moment when capital is being reallocated, re-priced, and re-imagined, FII PRIORITY Miami will move beyond dialogue to action, shaping partnerships, strategies, and decisions that matter.\u201d Further program details and speaker announcements will follow.<\/p>\n 5<\/p>\n ServiceNow makes acquisition<\/p>\n ServiceNow<\/a>, provider of a leading AI platform for enterprise business transformation, entered into an agreement to acquire Armis, a San Francisco-based provider of cyber exposure management and cyber-physical security solutions, for approximately $7.75 billion. The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2026, subject to customary regulatory approvals, and Armis\u2019 team will join ServiceNow.<\/p>\n ServiceNow announced in September<\/a> the company is expanding into West Palm Beach and will create more than 850 jobs in South Florida over the next five years. The publicly-traded tech giant will be moving into 10 CityPlace, a new development by\u00a0Related Ross<\/a>\u00a0and part of Florida\u2019s Gold Coast Innovation Corridor, ServiceNow and Related Ross announced. The expansion, which will include ServiceNow\u2019s new regional innovation hub and AI Institute, is expected to deliver $1.8 billion in economic impact. \u201cThe AI innovation economy has a new epicenter in the Gold Coast of West Palm Beach, Florida,\u201d Bill McDermott, chairman and CEO of\u00a0ServiceNow said then.<\/p>\n 6<\/p>\n Panther Coffee to close its Miami Beach location<\/p>\n Miami-based Panther Coffee<\/a>, whose Wynwood location has served as a meeting point for Miami tech community since 2010, will close its Miami Beach location on Feb. 28 after 13 years of operation, citing an inability to secure a new lease for its space at Sunset Harbour Shops, 1875 Purdy Ave.<\/p>\n Leticia Pollock, who co-owns the Miami-based specialty coffee roaster with her husband, Joel Pollock, announced the closure in a Dec. 29 Instagram post, writing, \u201cWe did not want to leave and we did all we could.\u201d<\/p>\n 7<\/p>\n Jobs, jobs, jobs<\/p>\n Now hiring:<\/p>\n Assurant \u2013\u00a0Lead Software Engineer<\/a><\/p>\n Chewy \u2013 Analytics Engineer III<\/a> Neocis \u2013 Sr IT HelpDesk\/Network Analyst<\/a> Find more jobs on Refresh Miami\u2019s job board here<\/a>.<\/p>\n 8-PLUS<\/p>\n Opportunity knocks<\/p>\n Seaworthy Collective<\/a> has opened applications for Cohort 7 of its flagship Startup Program, The Continuum Ocean Enterprise Studio and Incubator. The deadline to apply is Jan. 28. More here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Apply to catapult your startup at the\u00a02026\u00a0eMerge\u00a0Americas\u00a0Conference + Expo\u00a0April 23\u201324 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.\u00a0Learn more and apply by Jan. 16.<\/a><\/p>\n Looking to raise capital? Apply now to present in front of an audience of investors at\u00a0the Florida Venture Forum\u2019s\u00a02026 Florida Venture Capital Conference\u00a0Feb. 23\u201325\u00a0at the\u00a0Loews Coral Gables.\u00a0Apply here<\/a>.<\/p>\n The\u00a0Miami\u00a0Dade Innovation Authority (MDIA)\u00a0has launched its seventh public innovation challenge and it is\u00a0 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\u00a0Miami-Dade County Department of Emergency Management.\u00a0Apply here<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n The\u00a0SMB 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.\u00a0Apply here by Jan. 16.<\/a><\/p>\n Israeli founders can showcase their startup, product, or breakthrough solution to global investors, partners and media at\u00a0Israel Tech Week Miami 2026\u00a0next April.\u00a0Apply now on the website here.<\/a><\/p>\n ICYMI \u2013 Catch up!<\/p>\n Have news to report? Email Nancy Dahlberg at\u00a0[email\u00a0protected]<\/a>\u00a0and follow her on X @ndahlberg and\u00a0on LinkedIn<\/a>.\u00a0Subscribe to Refresh Miami\u2019s free weekly newsletter\u00a0here<\/a>\u00a0featuring startup news, tech job opportunities and events.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Circle \u2013\u00a0Lead Product Marketing Manager<\/a>
Circle \u2013\u00a0Staff Data Scientist<\/a>
DoorLoop \u2013\u00a0Implementation Specialist<\/a>
Extenteam \u2013\u00a0Strategy & Business Operations Lead<\/a>
Kaseya \u2013\u00a0Cloud Engineer<\/a>
Lennar \u2013\u00a0Systems Engineer II<\/a><\/p>\n
RMW Accounting \u2013\u00a0Head of Practice Operations<\/a>
Vultr \u2013\u00a0Jr Infrastructure Production Engineer<\/a>
Vultr \u2013\u00a0Sr Business Intelligence Architect<\/a>
Vultr \u2013\u00a0VP of Customer Support<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Nancy](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/60b7851ea3a84-bpfull.jpg\")
<\/a> 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\u00a0protected]<\/a>. Thanks for reading! <\/a>Latest posts by Nancy Dahlberg (see all<\/a>)\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t8+ things to know in #MiamiTech: Yes, the Larry Page news, plus a new defense-tech company is making 2 big moves, and the latest from Florida Council of 100, FII, ServiceNow, Panther Coffee, job opps & more<\/a> – January 9, 2026\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBiobeat raises a $50M Series B for its US expansion<\/a> – December 31, 2025\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow Papa is turning companion care into a healthcare must-have<\/a> – December 30, 2025\t\t\t\t \t<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"1 Welcome to Miami, Larry Page In a move that is now a secret to no one, Google…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":78,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[225,227,226],"class_list":{"0":"post-111977","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-hialeah","8":"tag-hialeah","9":"tag-hialeah-headlines","10":"tag-hialeah-news"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/111977","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=111977"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/111977\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/78"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=111977"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=111977"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=111977"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}