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South Florida finally attracting investors for startups

Thursday, April 12, 2018 - 4:23pm

Magic Leap’s extraordinary funding of $2 billion aside, South Florida entrepreneurs have historically had difficulty raising startup capital.

That’s because the tricounty region wasn’t recognized among the nation’s innovation centers.

But that has begun to change and, as a result, startup capital — the hardest to find — is becoming more accessible. Investors from Silicon Valley are seeing innovation in South Florida, more funds are being raised in the region for startup capital and angel investors continue to seek early entry to the next big thing.

Miami entrepreneur Brian Brackeen said when he was seeking capital for his facial recognition company Kairos in 2012 and 2013, “it was pretty early in the innovation economy. Mostly angels were here, and there was limited to zero venture capital.”

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Lucky's Market coming to Boca, Cooper City and Dania

Thursday, April 12, 2018 - 4:22pm

"Grocery shoppers in Boca Raton, Cooper City and Dania Beach will have a reason to party when Lucky's Market comes to those towns.

The Boulder-Colo. organic grocery chain, which serves craft beer and wine to customers as they shop, has signed leases in South Florida as well as in Orlando, Winter Park and nine other Florida areas, with plans to open stores over the next 18 to 24 months, the company announced.

There are stores in Plantation, Oakland Park and Coral Springs.

Other locations in the Florida expansion include Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Naples, Fort Myers, Port Charlotte, Port St. Lucie, Hunter’s Creek, Vineland, Colonial Landings and Lake Mary."

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The PATCH Hosts a Free Holiday Event with Family Giveaways and Live Entertainment

Wednesday, December 6, 2017 - 3:28pm

Dania Beach, FL– On Saturday, December 16th, from 9AM – 2PM, the PATCH and Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (DBCRA) team up with Family In Distress, Conflict Coaches, Dismas Charities and the Broward County Sheriff’s Office to host a spectacular Holiday Event with something for everyone. The event will feature live performances, festive music, free meals, holiday crafts, raffles and giveaways. This event will bring holiday cheer to the whole family.

“We are grateful to partner with these wonderful organizations to bring the community a festive event that celebrates the holiday season.  We invite all families in the area to attend and take advantage of the abundant giveaways,” states Rickelle Williams, Executive Director of the DBCRA.

Family in Distress founder, Dr. Cheryl White-Holt says she was inspired while living in Canada.  She had a vision to help those in need and founded ‘Family In Distress’ five years ago with the help of many volunteers. “We wanted to host a festive event for the Dania Beach community to show our support and commitment for families who are struggling through the holiday season. The goal of our programs is to holistically transform families—providing enhanced prospects for their futures,” states Dr. White-Holt.

Holiday Event Activities feature:

  • Shop early for your Holiday dinner side-staples at the market (EBT/SNAP receive 50% off Florida-grown produce)
  • Holiday crafts for the children
  • Garden tours
  • Register for a FREE Orchid workshop on Eventbrite (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/free-orchid-workshop-at-the-patch-tickets-40187556062)
  • Scavenger hunt
  • Live Family Entertainment scheduled throughout the day featuring L.P.E. Lightfoot Premier Entertainment - Disc Jockey, Bella Stroup – Songstress, Africa Watoto Dance Theatre, Lashell Dance Group, Danny Duarte - Latin Fusion & Classical Pianist, and Singer Mr. Eddie Gunter.
  • Unique art and craft vendors
  • Gift card raffles
  • FREE BBQ (while supplies last)
  • FREE grab bags (while supplies last)
  • Toys for Tots Giveaway

About the PATCH Farm and Market

The PATCH Farm and Market is located at 1201 W. Dania Beach Boulevard, Dania Beach, FL. The PATCH was created as an environmentally and economically sustainable urban farming system within the community, that creates a network of secure healthy food sources of naturally grown vegetables and fruits, while providing local jobs and vocational training in the sustainable agricultural industry to the residents of the community. The market is open to the public every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and every 3rd Saturday of the month the PATCH hosts special family events. For more information visit www.thepatchgarden.com or call 954-924-6801.

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Harvest Festival at the PATCH

Tuesday, November 28, 2017 - 2:35pm

Dania Beach, FL– The Dania Beach PATCH Farm and Garden invites you to attend its Harvest Festival on Saturday, November 18, 2017 from 9:00AM - 1:00PM and celebrate harvest time at the PATCH. This free festival features garden tours, a free food giveaway, unique vendors, and the first opportunity of the season to grab your Holiday dinner vegetables fresh from the garden. This tradition honors the bounty of the Garden, which has provided local, organically-grown produce for Broward County for nearly 9 years. There will be plenty of fun activities for family and children of all ages.

“We love the opportunity to share such a time-honored tradition as
harvest with our customers and local residents. It is truly a
celebration of the beginning of new life and the start of the next
yield of fresh and organically-grown produce for the community. We are
also excited about our partnership with Ark of the City, who has
graciously provided 200-250 bags of free food for the community,”
states Kathleen Weekes, Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency
Interim Director.

The Harvest Festival Event Schedule:

8:00AM - Volunteer Activities
9:00AM - 1:00PM - Market Opens: Shop early for Thanksgiving side- staples EBT customers will receive a 50% discount an any Florida-grown produce purchase.
9:15AM - Waste Management Presentation on recycling
9:30AM – 10:30AM Beekeeping Open Forum
10:00AM – Free food Giveaway
10:00AM – 1:00PM – Children’s Activities and Garden Tours
10:30AM – 1:00PM – Beekeeping Formal Presentations
11:00AM – Lady Bug Release

About the PATCH Farm and Market

The PATCH Farm and Market is located at 1201 W. Dania Beach Boulevard, Dania Beach, FL. The PATCH was created as an environmentally and economically sustainable urban farming system within the community, that creates a network of secure healthy food sources of naturally grown vegetables and fruits, while providing local jobs and vocational training in the sustainable agricultural industry to the residents of the community. The market is open to the public every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and every 3rd Saturday of the month the PATCH hosts special family events. For more information visit www.thepatchgarden.com or call 954-924-6801. 

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Harvest Festival Helps Feed over 300 before the Holidays

Tuesday, November 28, 2017 - 2:30pm

Dania Beach, FL– On Saturday, November 18th, the Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (DBCRA) hosted its third Annual Harvest Festival at the PATCH Farm and Market honoring the bounty of the Garden, which has provided local, organically-grown produce for Broward County for nearly 9 years. More than 500 people attended the event. Ark of the City, Farm Share, Supa T Records and Elliott Enterprises sponsored a free food giveaway and graciously donated Thanksgiving Supper hot plates and bagged fresh produce by the pound to give to the community. Over 300 people were fed and took home free bags of produce to their families just in time to cook for the Thanksgiving Holiday.

“We are honored to support the PATCH’s mission of eliminating food insecurity in the community,” said Morris Goldwire, of Ark of the City. “We are so proud of the organizations and volunteers, and especially the DBCRA staff for their efforts during this event.  They take great pride in giving back to our local communities.” 

On December 16th, from 9AM – 2PM, the PATCH and DBCRA team up with Family in Distress, Dismas Charities and the Broward County Sheriff’s Office to host a spectacular Christmas Event with something for everyone. Featuring live performances, Christmas music, free meals, holiday crafts, raffles and giveaways, this event will bring holiday cheer to the whole family.

About the PATCH Farm and Market

The PATCH Farm and Market is located at 1201 W. Dania Beach Boulevard, Dania Beach, FL. The PATCH was created as an environmentally and economically sustainable urban farming system within the community, that creates a network of secure healthy food sources of naturally grown vegetables and fruits, while providing local jobs and vocational training in the sustainable agricultural industry to the residents of the community. The market is open to the public every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and every 3rd Saturday of the month the PATCH hosts special family events. For more information visit www.thepatchgarden.com or call 954-924-6801.

Read more