Florida International University, Miami Dade College, and the University of Miami to partner with SoftBank Group International for a full semester educational program
MIAMI, June 29, 2021 – SoftBank Group International (“SoftBank”) is bringing Miami’s top colleges and universities together to upskill tech talent for the first time as part of the SoftBank Operator School (“SOS”), a program designed to fill the talent gap of highly trained startup operators and build a next-generation tech community in South Florida and Latin America. The semester-long program will offer for-credit graduate and undergraduate courses for enrollees at Florida International University, Miami Dade College and University of Miami, in addition to a shared masterclass speaker series that will be open to the general public.
The weekly SOS masterclasses will bring tech startups directly to participants, equipping them with a fundamental understanding of how tech startups work and the numerous career paths they can provide. Topics will include Startup Culture, Go-To-Market Strategies, Making
Data-Driven Decisions, Building for Scale with AI and Building in Miami. The series is designed to complement course curriculum for enrollees at FIU, MDC and UM.
Over 20 SoftBank portfolio executives and SoftBank operators will speak in the masterclasses. Confirmed speakers include SoftBank Group International CEO Marcelo Claure, WeWork Latin America CEO Claudia Woods, Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, Rappi Co-founder and President Sebastian Mejia, AllHere Founder and CEO Joanna Smith, Lumu Founder and CEO Ricardo Villadiego, and QuikNode, Inc. Co-founder and CTO Auston Bunsen.
“SoftBank sees Miami as a future technology hub for the world, and that future starts with education,” said Marcelo Claure, CEO of SoftBank Group International. “Our vision is for the SoftBank Operator School to become a training ground for the next generation of talent to become leaders in the most successful technology startups in South Florida and Latin America. We know these regions have talent. Now it’s time they get the training.”
Masterclasses will be open for virtual participation from anyone interested in working at or launching a technology startup in South Florida or Latin America. In addition to joining the masterclasses, registrants at FIU, MDC, and UM will participate in complementary programming that includes workshops, capstone projects in which students solve real challenges at SoftBank portfolio companies, office hours with the SoftBank team, co-working space, and information about career opportunities inside SoftBank’s portfolio companies.
Registration information for FIU, MDC, UM and the general public can be found at www.softbankmiami.com/softbank-operator-school.
“The SoftBank Operator School will change the entrepreneurship landscape in South Florida,” said FIU President Mark B. Rosenberg. “At FIU we are focused on providing our students experiences and opportunities that help them succeed. In fueling the startup ecosystem, spurring economic growth and creating high-paying jobs in South Florida, we support our students and uplift the community.”
“It takes a collective effort to grow and innovate South Florida’s tech ecosystem,” said MDC President Madeline Pumariega. “We are thrilled to partner with SoftBank and our local educational partners to continue expanding opportunities and equip students with the skills to be successful startup operators and build the next generation of tech leaders to fuel our workforce.”
“We look forward to partnering with SoftBank to help grow Miami’s pool of innovation talent,’” said Julio Frenk, President of the University of Miami. “University of Miami graduate students will gain experience through our ’Cane Angel Network both investing in and working for world-class start-ups from SoftBank’s portfolio of companies,” he added.
About Softbank Group
The SoftBank Group invests in breakthrough technology to improve the quality of life for people around the world. The SoftBank Group is comprised of SoftBank Group Corp. (TOKYO: 9984), an investment holding company that includes stakes in telecommunications, internet services, AI, smart robotics, IoT and clean energy technology providers; the SoftBank Vision Funds, which are investing more than US$100 billion to help extraordinary entrepreneurs transform industries and shape new ones; the US$5 billion SoftBank Latin America Fund, the largest venture fund in that region, and the SB Opportunity Fund, a US$100 million fund dedicated to investing in enterprises founded by entrepreneurs of color in the U.S. To learn more, please visit https://global.softbank.
About Miami Dade College
Miami Dade College is the most diverse institution in the nation. There are 167 nations and 63 languages represented in its student body. The college’s eight campuses and outreach centers offer more than 300 distinct degree pathways including associate and baccalaureate degrees, career certificates and apprenticeships. Baccalaureate degree offerings include biological sciences, engineering, data analytics, information systems technology, education, public safety, supervision and management, nursing, physician assistant studies, film and others. MDC is the recipient of many top national awards including the Aspen Prize. As Democracy’s College, MDC changes lives through accessible, high quality-teaching and learning experiences. It is the home of the Miami Culinary Institute, the Miami Animation & Gaming International Complex, the Miami Fashion Institute, the Eig-Watson School of Aviation, The Idea Center, the Cybersecurity Center of the Americas, the Cloud Computing Center, the Center for Learning, Innovation and Simulation, the School for Advanced Studies, and the New World School of the Arts, to name a few of its most innovative programs. MDC has been named among the nation’s “Great Colleges to Work For” since the program’s inception. The College embraces its responsibility to serve as an economic, cultural, and civic leader for the advancement of our diverse global community. Its alumni and employees contribute more than $3 billion annually to the local economy, and MDC graduates occupy top leadership positions in every major industry. MDC is renowned for its rich cultural programming. It is the home of the Miami Book Fair, Miami Film Festival, the National Historic Landmark Miami Freedom Tower, the Tower Theater, Dyer Building, Koubek Center Mansion and Gardens, Live Arts Miami at MDC, the Lynn and Louis Wolfson II Florida Moving Image Archives, the Museum of Art and Design, a sculpture park and a large campus art gallery and theater system. MDC has admitted more than 2,000,000 students and counting, since it opened its doors in 1960. More than 100,000 students are currently enrolled. For more information, visit www.mdc.edu.
About University of Miami
The University of Miami is a private research university and academic health system with a distinct geographic capacity to connect institutions, individuals, and ideas across the hemisphere and around the world. The University’s vibrant and diverse academic community comprises 11 schools and colleges serving more than 17,000 undergraduate and graduate students in more than 180 majors and programs. Located within one of the most dynamic and multicultural cities in the world, the University is building new bridges across geographic, cultural, and intellectual borders, bringing a passion for scholarly excellence, a spirit of innovation, a respect for including and elevating diverse voices, and a commitment to tackling the challenges facing our world.
About Florida International University
Florida International University is a Top 50 public university that drives real talent and innovation in Miami and globally. High research (R1) activity and high social mobility come together at FIU to uplift and accelerate learner success in a global city by focusing in the areas of environment, health, innovation, and justice. Today, FIU has two campuses and multiple centers. FIU serves a diverse student body of more than 58,000 and 260,000 Panther alumni. U.S. News and World Report places dozens of FIU programs among the best in the nation, including international business at No. 2. Washington Monthly Magazine ranks FIU among the top 20 public universities contributing to the public good.