Initiative to award at least $300,000 to early-to-growth stage companies focused on leveraging technology and innovative solutions to enhance emergency management across Miami-Dade

Miami-Dade Innovation Authority (MDIA) launches its seventh Public Innovation Challenge, committing $300,000 to fast-track new technologies that streamline emergency operations, optimize situational awareness, and enhance community resilience.

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This challenge is in collaboration with the Miami-Dade County Department of Emergency Management (DEM), Big City Emergency Managers (BCEM), and Florida International University - Academy for International Disaster Preparedness (FIU-AIDP).

Miami-Dade confronts rapidly evolving risks — from climate-driven storms to large-scale public events and shifting population dynamics. The challenge invites early to growth-stage startups, globally or locally, to pilot solutions that improve Miami‑Dade County’s Department of Emergency Management’s (DEM) real-time decision-making, integrate data streams, and enhance neighborhood-level resilience.

Starting today, the application period will be open until December 18, 2025. MDIA, in partnership with DEM, will select at least three technology companies, providing each with $100,000 in funding to test and validate their solutions with DEM. Interested companies should submit their proposals through the official challenge website: https://mdia.miami/emergency.

“With $1 billion in proposed FEMA preparedness cuts threatening local capacity, innovation isn’t optional, it’s essential. Miami-Dade’s $31 billion tourism economy and nearly three million residents depend on our ability to use technology not just to respond to challenges, but to anticipate them,” said Leigh-Ann Buchanan, President and CEO of MDIA. “From predictive analytics to real-time communication, cutting edge solutions better position the County to respond to emergencies, safeguard lives, and enhance our resilience.”

At the national level, FEMA recently halted over $300 million in emergency preparedness grants and injected new requirements to recertify population counts before releasing funds, which adds additional uncertainty to local disaster readiness.

“In Miami-Dade County, we’re committed to ensuring that the government moves at the speed of business and responds quickly to our community’s needs, especially when disaster strikes,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. “MDIA’s next challenge will advance that goal by investing in technology that bolsters the ability of our Department of Emergency Management to oversee our community’s emergency preparedness and long term resilience.”

Modern emergency management demands interoperability, speed, and flexibility. With federal funding and grant programs under strain, Innovation must be core infrastructure, not an optional add-on. Accordingly, this challenge seeks innovative solutions that may include, but are not limited to:

• Data and analytics tools that contribute to customizable dashboards, provide actionable insights useful for decision-making, or support impact forecasting.
• Operational efficiency tools that streamline internal communications, reduce redundant and time-consuming tasks, and support training and preparation efforts.
• Emergency Operations Center (EOC) solutions that leverage AI, data, and other intelligence tools that enhance situational awareness, decision-making, and rapid response efforts.
• Resilience-focused solutions that support readiness efforts around natural, technological, and human-caused hazards, including solutions that build capacity and resilience to support emergency management community lifelines.

An emergency management innovation challenge is particularly prescient because Miami-Dade’s Department of Emergency Management safeguards 34 municipalities, 2.7 million residents, and 28 million annual visitors. DEM leads hazard mitigation, incident response, public outreach, and coordinates safety at high-profile events like Art Basel, Formula 1, and World Cup matches.

“As the risks we face grow more complex, so must our approach to emergency management,” said Pete Gomez, Director of Miami-Dade County Department of Emergency Management. “This challenge reflects our commitment to innovation and collaboration bringing together public and private sector expertise to identify scalable solutions that improve how we operate and serve. By investing in technology that enhances real-time decision-making, coordination, and community resilience, we’re building a stronger, smarter Miami-Dade that’s ready for whatever comes next.”

As the first Public Innovation Authority in the country, MDIA has worked closely with Miami-Dade County to validate its novel model and create a replicable model for municipalities across the United States. Thus far it has deployed more than $1 million in funding and attracted more than 525 startups, from 59 different countries, amassing a company pipeline network which collectively represents $7 billion in revenue and $4 billion in funding raised.

Interested companies should submit their proposals through the official challenge website: https://mdia.miami/emergency

About Miami-Dade Innovation Authority (MDIA)

MDIA bridges gaps between private innovators and the public sector to fast-track the procurement of technology and innovation solutions that enable municipalities to more effectively and efficiently address pressing issues that impact resident quality of life in cities. Through its signature Public Innovation Challenge, it identifies, invests in, and supports early-to-growth stage companies to pilot, test, and validate their technology in collaboration with the economic engines and local government. For more information, visit: www.mdia.miami

About the Miami-Dade Department of Emergency Management (DEM)

The Miami-Dade County Department of Emergency Management (DEM) plans, prepares, and coordinates the County’s response to emergencies through its three directorates: Prevention & Protection, Response, and Mitigation, Recovery & Resilience. DEM works collaboratively with County departments, municipalities, non-profit organizations, healthcare providers, businesses, residents, and visitors to ensure a unified and effective approach to emergency management. The department leads hazard mitigation efforts, coordinates critical information and resources during incidents, conducts public outreach, and supports operations at high-profile events such as Art Basel, Formula 1, and upcoming World Cup matches. Beyond operational coordination, DEM is deeply committed to educating the community about preparedness and resilience—and to providing timely, accurate information before, during, and after emergencies.

To learn more about DEM, visit miamidade.gov/emergency or follow @MiamiDadeEM on X and Instagram, and facebook.com/MiamiDadeCountyEM on Facebook.

About Big City Emergency Managers (BCEM)

BCEM was founded in 2005 and is an independent, non-profit organization. Its participation includes 15 jurisdictions, representing over 20% of the nation’s population. The mission of BCEM is to foster the development and growth of robust and nimble emergency management operations in the nation’s largest, most at-risk metropolitan jurisdictions so that the country is better positioned to prevent, protect against, mitigate, prepare for, respond to and recover from major incidents and catastrophic emergencies. For additional details about BCEM, please visit https://bigcityem.org/

About Florida International University- Academy for International Disaster Preparedness (FIU-AIDP)

The Academy for International Disaster Preparedness at Florida International University focuses on a comprehensive educational foundation in disaster management and emergency medical services that recognizes the need to educate practicing and aspiring professionals who demand additional academic knowledge and realistic experience to be better prepared for, respond to, and recover from natural and human disasters as well as acts of terrorism. For additional details about AIDP, please visit https://aidp.fiu.edu/about-us/index.html

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