Miami Courant

The City of Miami has been chosen to participate in the MIT Regional Entrepreneurship Acceleration Program (REAP), an initiative managed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Sloan School of Management. As part of Cohort 11, Miami joins a select group of global cities focused on promoting innovation-driven entrepreneurship.

"Miami's selection for MIT's Regional Entrepreneurship Acceleration Program underscores our city's exceptional capacity to lead in innovation-driven economic development," stated Mayor Francis X. Suarez. "This opportunity, typically reserved for entire nations or large regions, highlights Miami's unique strengths and our commitment to fostering a world-class entrepreneurial ecosystem."

MIT REAP is known for its structured approach to improving regional entrepreneurial ecosystems through workshops, expert mentoring, and projects driven by action. During the two-year program, Miami’s team will work with MIT faculty and international peers to create strategies that leverage the city’s unique resources while addressing its specific challenges.

The participation is anticipated to bring long-term benefits such as job creation, increased investment in local startups, and positioning Miami as a leading global hub for entrepreneurship and innovation.

Miami’s involvement will be led by Micaela Brandy Alvarez, Jason Saltzman, and Ethan James Appleby. These leaders bring diverse expertise and vision to the program.

Micaela Brandy Alvarez is a Global Operations Leader with experience in delivering proof-of-concept projects to full-scale manufacturing capabilities. She has developed nine plants across various regions and invested over a billion dollars in capital for global CPG brands, midsize manufacturers, and startups. "This program will allow us to harness Miami’s strengths and foster scalable solutions to empower businesses and communities globally," Alvarez noted.

Jason Saltzman offers over ten years of experience running innovation programs for high-growth startups and large organizations worldwide. His leadership extends beyond entrepreneurship; he served as Vice Chair of Enterprise Growth at Florida International University (FIU) and was a former Board Member of the FIU Foundation Board of Directors. Saltzman currently works on Relief, a startup using technology to offer personalized financial solutions for Americans facing debt issues.

Ethan James Appleby operates at the intersection of education, venture investing, and community building. A seasoned design-thinking consultant and venture-backed founder, Appleby has launched products addressing complex challenges for startups, governments, and brands globally. "I believe Miami is at a transformative moment for the city’s entrepreneurial landscape," Appleby remarked.

These Champions will guide Miami’s participation in MIT REAP by mobilizing key stakeholders—including government entities, entrepreneurs, corporations, investors, and academic institutions—to develop an integrated strategy for regional growth.

For further information about Miami’s participation in MIT REAP or inquiries about involvement opportunities contact jason_s@mit.edu.

About MIT REAP: The MIT Regional Entrepreneurship Acceleration Program helps regions design strategies that accelerate innovation-driven entrepreneurship by engaging leaders from government sectors, risk capital firms, corporations, entrepreneurs, and universities to collaboratively develop economic growth plans.