The LAB Miami Officially Opens Its Doors with a Startup Carnival of Entrepreneurs, Investors and a Pitch “Shark Tank”

MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The LAB Miami, Miami’s first collaborative work-learn campus, announced today it will host its grand opening on Saturday, March 2^nd from 2:00-8:00pm in Wynwood. Entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to pitch to a panel of investors in a “shark tank” format. The winner will take home $500 in cash, LAB Miami workspace and bragging rights.

“We are excited to be part of this event and, even more so, to see the growth of Miami’s entrepreneurial community”

This work-learn campus offering an in-house community of mentors and investors providing guidance, support and counsel for up to 300 members, will be transformed for the day into a Startup Carnival. The event will showcase the diverse programs The LAB Miami offers such as their technology hackathons, Gutter Film series featuring B-movies and Cult Classic movies, a series of continuing education programs, art exhibits from local artists and various community events.

The LAB Miami recently closed a round of funding worth $650,000, with $250,000 from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and the rest from a group of investors lead by Marco Giberti, Faquiry Diaz Cala, Boris Hirmas Said and Daniel Echavarria.

“We want to invite everyone in the community to come see what The LAB Miami is all about, to network, tour the space and learn about the programs offered in a fun and interactive atmosphere,” said Wifredo Fernandez, co-founder of The LAB Miami. “The Startup Carnival is going to be a celebration reflective of the influence of art, design, music, technology and entrepreneurship that represents the collective of our members, the LAB culture and our neighborhood.”

New York’s Entrepreneurs Roundtable Accelerator will also be participating in the Startup Carnival at LAB Miami to meet with local startups and entrepreneurs. Murat Aktihanoglu, Founder and Managing Director, will be on hand to provide feedback and advice to participating startups. “We are excited to be part of this event and, even more so, to see the growth of Miami’s entrepreneurial community,” said Aktihanoglu.

In addition, with participation from Knight Foundation, The LAB Miami will conduct an interactive idea session to open community conversation about government and civic related problems. We’ll ask: what needs to be solved in Miami? What needs to be addressed, and how can we begin creating the plans to tackle them? The best ideas will be submitted to the Knight News Challenge on Open Gov where the winners will receive a share of $5 million in funding and support from Knight’s network of influential peers and advisors to help advance their ideas.

“We encourage everyone in the community to come and share their ideas to improve Miami,” said Matt Haggman, Miami program director for Knight Foundation. “Winning the Knight News Challenge makes you part of an international network of entrepreneurs and experts unlike any other and we are excited to see what Miami’s best thinkers and doers can add to the competition.”

The LAB Miami campus is seeking a diversified mix of members that includes tech startups, programmers, designers, investors, serial entrepreneurs, nonprofits, artists and academics to create a dynamic environment.

For more information on The LAB Miami, its list of upcoming events and how to become a member or mentor visit www.thelabmiami.com.

About The LAB Miami

The LAB Miami is a 10,000 square foot collaborative work-learn campus for innovative entrepreneurs located in Miami’s Wynwood Art District, home to over 70 galleries, museums, art collections and the world's best graffiti and street artists. The LAB Miami is a startup focused on providing an interactive space to learn, act, build, create and disrupt under the guidance of experienced mentors combined with an educational curriculum to foster collective inspiration and an entrepreneurship ecosystem. For more information visit www.thelabmiami.com.