Colaeb (Collaborate and Elevate)

Mechanical Orchard, led by Rob Mee, has announced it has raised $50 million in a Series B funding round from GV (Google Ventures). Over-reliance on legacy software remains a critical, unresolved IT challenge worldwide: $13 trillion of the US economy and a minimum of 71% of the Fortune 500 still depend on aging mainframe systems. The costs of ignoring this issue grow daily. In the US alone, $1.52 trillion is the estimated cost to the economy which can be attributed to poor-quality software. Mechanical Orchard has built groundbreaking technology to transition the world’s largest organizations away from inflexible legacy IT systems to modern, cloud-based applications. It de-risks the modernization process by using AI-enhanced tooling and an iterative approach centered on reverse-engineering a cloud-based copy of the living, breathing systems. Read more in the news section on colaeb.com

Wow! National Apprenticeship Week 2024 was a milestone for South Florida, bringing together students, educators, and employers to celebrate apprenticeships as pathways to opportunity and economic mobility. Workforce.Miami is ?? We began on November 6th with Pre-Apprenticeship Day, hosted by Miami-Dade County Public Schools Career Technical Education Over 800 high school students explored career pathways in IT, AI, cybersecurity, hospitality, construction, and more. We proudly highlighted Miami EdTech’s AI Registered Apprenticeship Program and AI Pre-Apprenticeships. Special thanks to Papa Keith, James Riley, Lupe Ferran Diaz, Ph.D., Sonia Samaroo, and Kendrick Morris for their leadership. On November 19th, we gathered at the Miami-Dade Beacon Council for “Exploring How Apprenticeships Can Bridge the Talent Gap.” A proclamation from Eileen Higgins declared the day Apprenticeship Day in Miami-Dade County with an opening by Francesca de Quesada Covey. Speakers like Patrick Cohen William P. and Cathy Morgan (Apprenti), Rick Beasley (CareerSource South Florida), and Tony Allen (National Basketball Association (NBA) - GoSprout.app Advisor) showcased apprenticeships as pathways to community growth. Later, the M-DCPS STEM Advisory Board Fundraiser at Topgolf, raised vital funds for CTE teachers and scholarships, emphasizing the importance of recognizing educators who prepare students for success. The CareerSource South Florida Round Table on November 20th explored strategies for reaching underserved populations. With insights from Dr. Alexia Rolle, Ed.D.(Miami Dade College) and Rene Mantilla's team, we highlighted CareerSource South Florida’s benefits like OJT reimbursements and wage offsets, which help employers and apprentices succeed. On November 21st, the Pathways to Success Luncheon at Florida International University celebrated success stories from apprentices Norbert Seals María José Sotillo and keynote remarks by Victoria Tomas (Florida International University). Sponsors Aon, Kapor Center, and ECMC Foundation showed how partnerships are making apprenticeships scalable and impactful. Thanks Lili Gangas and Shantenae Robinson ?? We closed the week on November 22nd with a fireside chat on AI and Apprenticeships hosted by Jobs for the Future (JFF) and Krysti Specht. Alongside Tatenda Mahaka, we shared how Miami EdTech’s AI and UX/UI Apprenticeships prepare communities for an AI-driven workforce. Apprenticeships are the bridge to economic mobility and workforce innovation! Thank you to all who attended (limit reached and can't tag lol!) and our partners, sponsors, and supporters for helping us empower South Florida's workforce. The journey doesn’t end here—let’s continue to innovate, collaborate, and build a brighter future. Visit Workforce.Miami to learn more, get involved, and help us expand these life-changing programs. Together, we can empower the workforce of tomorrow, today. Check the video! https://lnkd.in/eWeJSTqq

Pantheon AI, led by David Mace, Tiger S., and Georgios Kontominas, has raised $25M to revolutionize architecture with AI! Backed by Andreessen Horowitz, Felicis Ventures, and 8VC, the San Francisco-based startup is expanding its AI-driven platform to transform office, multifamily, and hospitality design. Faster architecture, powered by AI—this is the future! Read the announcement in the news section on colaeb.com

?? Meet Aaron Westbrook at the Colaeb Innovation Conference! Aaron Westbrook, Founder & CEO of Form5, is a true pioneer in the world of prosthetics and an inspiring example of resilience and innovation. Born with only one hand, Aaron began his journey as a high school freshman by creating his own prosthetic device using a 3D printer. By age 14, he had launched what would become a transformative mission to empower the limb difference community! Through his nonprofit Form5, Aaron has been changing lives since 2017 by providing confidence, resources, and support to individuals with limb differences. Guided by pillars like Community, Research & Development, Education, and Manufacturing, Aaron’s work is paving the way for a more inclusive and supportive future. Join us at the 2024 Conference to hear Aaron share his incredible journey—how he turned a personal challenge into a beacon of hope for so many others. ??? RSVP now to learn from this visionary and 25+ other accomplished speakers: https://lnkd.in/emNaacmV #2024Conference #Innovation #Entrepreneurship

Kendrick Lamar new album 'GNX' is here! yourinfodaily.com

Join us at the 2024 Conference to hear from Erica Ho, founder and CEO of Map Happy! With over eight million travelers benefiting from her platform, Erica has revolutionized travel media. Her award-winning site has received top industry recognition, and she’s spoken at prestigious events like The New York Times Travel Show. Discover her insights on media and diversity, #RSVP to this free virtual conference on colaeb.com/2024-conference #2024Conference #Colaeb #Innovation

Genmo, co-founded by Paras Jain, has launched Mochi 1, a powerful open-source video AI model rivaling Runway and Kling. Backed by a $28.4M Series A funding round led by NEA, with support from The House Fund, Gold House Ventures, and angel investors like Abhay Parasnis and Amjad Masad, read the announcement in the news section on colaeb.com

?? Meet Justin Howell, one of the incredible speakers at the 2024 Conference! Justin is a powerhouse in business strategy, social media growth, and partnership development. At his nonprofit organization, he builds partnerships that help local entrepreneurs scale and uplift communities. In the digital realm, his expertise shines—he helped a family social media account grow to over 1 million followers in under a year! ?? Known as “The NetWorker”, Justin is celebrated for his ability to make valuable connections and mentor others with his proven growth strategies. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain insights from a true expert in business growth and networking. ? RSVP now at https://lnkd.in/emNaacmV! #2024Conference #Networking #SocialMediaSuccess #BusinessGrowth

?? Excited to announce that Imanuel Larcher (Manny), Co-Founder of Stopwatch Creative and the visionary behind Colaeb (Collaborate and Elevate), will speak at the 2024 Conference! Manny’s inspiring journey as a first-generation St. Lucian American, from playing a key role in the acquisition of the telehealth startup Ardina to launching Colaeb—a platform empowering thousands of brands globally—speaks volumes about his entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to innovation. ???? Don't miss the chance to hear how Manny’s work is transforming the way startups and businesses grow affordably, especially in challenging times. ?? RSVP today to join us at https://lnkd.in/emNaacmV #2024Conference #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #TechLeadership

interface.ai, founded by Srinivas Njay, has raised $30M in funding led by Avataar Venture Partners. The platform provides AI-powered voice and text agents to help banks handle customer service requests, with over 100 financial institutions already onboard. This funding will expand their team and accelerate go-to-market strategies as they aim to democratize AI for regional and community banks. Read the announcement in the news section on colaeb.com