Miami 2025: Building bridges with the U.S.
We came for the innovation.
We stayed for the synergy.
We left with more WhatsApp groups than we’ll ever admit.
There’s something about Miami in March—the energy, the global mix of founders, and yes, the parties. With Miami Tech Week, Music Week, and ULTRA Festival all converging, the city was absolutely buzzing. And Club GLOBALS was in the middle of it all—connecting across ecosystems, catching up with old friends, and soaking in the best of what Miami’s local and international startup scene had to offer.
Our founders, Mario Paladini and Nicolás Ventura, didn’t just attend—they took the mic, hosted panels, judged pitches, and kept the momentum going from breakfast briefings to rooftop afterhours.
But this wasn’t just about showing up—it was about showing up with intention, building bridges, and backing the founders and ideas shaping the future of tech across borders.
Here’s how it all went down. 👇
Startup OLE Miami
We started strong at Startup Olé Accelerator Miami 2025, hosted inside none other than the Miami Marlins baseball stadium. Not your average venue, and definitely a unique backdrop for a tech conference.
Our founders, Mario Paladini and Nicolás Ventura, took active roles throughout the event:
- Mario jumped into moderating sessions and MC duties, helping guide conversations around AI, branding, and innovation with a relaxed but sharp energy.
- Nico brought his media background to the table, moderating “The Future of Media: AI-Powered Journalism and the Challenges of Cybersecurity.”
- He also joined the startup pitch jury, supporting early-stage founders trying to make their mark across the Atlantic.
Startup Olé had a very Europe-meets-America feel—familiar faces from Spain, new friends from Latin America, and just the right amount of scrappy ambition in the air.
Mana Tech Meetup: Where It All Opened Up
Post-Olé, we headed over to Mana Tech, where the mood shifted from panels to people.
No stage, no pressure—just founders, investors, and ecosystem builders catching up over drinks. It was where the first real synergies of the week started happening. We bumped into old friends, new allies, and people we didn’t even know we needed to meet. There was laughter, real talk, spontaneous collabs—and that unmistakable Miami vibe. This was the moment the week started feeling like something special.
That night set the tone for everything that followed. High energy, good vibes, and real connections.
ICEX & IVACE+i: Spain Representing
Later in the week, we joined the joint ICEX x IVACE+i showcase, where Spain’s startup and innovation scene was on full display. Valencia in particular had a strong presence.
It’s always great to see familiar tech communities stepping confidently onto international stages. We saw a panel moderated by our dear friend Mariló Sánchez-Fuentes, where a sharp lineup of founders and investors shared candid insights about what it really takes to scale and collaborate in Miami.
The message was clear: Miami and Austin are the places to be as both cities are consistently ranked among the fastest-growing economies in the U.S.
🧘 Betterness: A Moment to Breathe
Between all the pitching and networking, Betterness offered a much-needed reset.
An outdoor event focused on wellbeing for founders, it reminded us that building companies requires taking care of your mind and body, too. The sessions were relaxed, thoughtful, and filled with founders who clearly needed that moment of pause.
The entrepreneurial hustle is real—but so is burnout. Betterness gave space for the conversation we often skip.
eMerge Americas
By Thursday, we made our way to eMerge Americas, Miami’s flagship tech event. If you’re expecting a Web Summit or MWC-scale production—pump the brakes, its not even close in terms of size. eMerge is tight, curated, and surprisingly powerful. One big warehouse-style venue, packed with the right people, the right energy, and seriously relevant conversations and it’s growing fast!
Session Spotlight: Innovating for All – Technology’s Role in Education, Entertainment, and Business Growth
One of the standout sessions featured Pitbull (yes, Mr. Worldwide himself) and Jason Inasi from DigitalDNA Labs. But this wasn’t a celebrity cameo—it was a masterclass on inclusive innovation in education.
💥 Key Takeaways:
- Pitbull shared his journey building the SLAM! charter schools, a growing network of free public schools using sports and media to re-engage underserved youth.
- 14 schools, 7,000+ students, and even a student-run SiriusXM radio station.
- Jason Inasi dove into how human-centered design and AI can dramatically change the way we learn, calling for a new term”edutainment”.
Why It Resonated With Us at Club GLOBALS
At Club GLOBALS, we believe in tech with purpose—innovation that creates access, fuels growth, and lifts communities. That’s why:
- We host events like GSTF to spotlight emerging leaders and tools that drive growth across industries.
- Through the GX acceleration program, we help startups connect with the right investors, clients, and partners.
- And we celebrate access to education, just like what Pitbull is doing with SLAM!.
Afterhours = GLOBALS Hours
Let’s be honest: the best deals don’t happen in boardrooms. They happen on rooftops, beachside patios, and dimly lit bars with overpriced cocktails 8).
And in Miami, those afterhours weren’t just good—they were next-level. With Miami Music Week happening at the same time, the entire city felt like one giant, cross-industry networking lounge.
We wrapped up the week at the Innovation Tech Week Closing Party and then hit the VIP Miami Tech Week Afterparty, where the room was packed with VCs, founders, operators, and creators. The conversations were fast, the energy was up, and the connections were real.
Back to Europe, Charged Up
We came to Miami to connect, learn, and support the growing bridge between U.S. and European tech ecosystems—and we left inspired, caffeinated, and carrying more than a few new collaborations in motion.
Club GLOBALS is all about building meaningful connections that drive real growth, and Miami reminded us how powerful those connections can be—especially when they happen in unexpected places, between unexpected people.
So, if we saw you last week—let’s keep building. And if we didn’t?
We’ll see you at the next stop. 🌍
After a week like this, one thing became crystal clear: Miami is where global tech energy meets real connection. Inspired by the momentum, we’ve already set our sights on what’s next. That’s why we’re kicking off our 2026 GSTF On Tour in Miami on March 23rd, 2026.
We’re coming back with even more curated experiences, deeper collaborations, and the signature GLOBALS vibe. If this year was any indication, next year will be on another level — and we’re just getting started.
📍 Save the date. Miami 2026. Let’s build the future, together.
Why Join Club GLOBALS?
Attending tech events is just the start—knowing where to be and who to meet is what matters. As a GLOBALS member, you get exclusive access to our curated list of the best side events during Miami Tech Week, ensuring you don’t miss key networking opportunities.
Beyond Miami, GLOBALS connects you with top investors, founders, and industry leaders year-round around major conferences like Mobile World Congress, Websummit, and World Economic Forum. With VIP access, private networking, and exclusive discounts, GLOBALS membership helps you make the right connections at the right time.
📩 Join today and unlock the events that drive real business success.
Are you ready to start GSTF on Tour?
GSTF on Tour is a global networking series designed to connect startups, investors, and industry pioneers ahead of the GLOBALS Tech Festival in Barcelona. The journey kicks off in Malta, the first stop in a series of networking events leading up to the festival on March 1, 2026, in Barcelona!
📍 Malta – May 10, 2025
🎟️ Join Club GLOBALS for Exclusive Access
🔎 Explore More Events: GLOBALS Event Agenda
Hop on the tour — See you in Malta!
