Miami To Host First Microsoft Innovation Center

Florida will be home to the first Microsoft Innovation Center (MIC) in the U.S. when Microsoft cuts the ribbon later this spring, the Redmond outfit announced. There already exist over 100 MIC locations scattered throughout the world in places ranging from Brazil to Uganda and everywhere in between. The facility being opened up in Miami, Florida will sport the latest technology and tools to help drive job creation, increase the number of high skilled technology specialists, and to spur collaboration among diverse groups in the area.

"The opening of the Microsoft Innovation Center in Miami signals our commitment to providing our cities and local communities with resources and technology that help spur economic development and create opportunities for shared learning," said Sanket Akerkar, vice president of Developer & Platform Evangelism, Microsoft. "By building the center in the heart of Miami and making it available to the people, especially youth and students, we’re helping empower the city to become a more prosperous place to live and work."

Microsoft Innovation Center in Greece
Microsoft Innovation Center (MIC) in Greece.

It will also serve as the flagship technology center connecting Miami to key communities in the Latin American (LATAM) region, and a blueprint for other U.S.-based MIC locations to follow. Microsoft hasn't said which other cities are on its radar, just that it wants to establish several locations throughout the country.

The Miami MIC will target four primary audiences. They include academia, startups, government, and local and LATAM community. Each audience will have access to certain resources and help. For example, the Miami MIC will provide entrepreneurs and startups with access to skills and development training, mentoring, and networking opportunities, as well as membership into Microsoft BizSpark.