Miami’s startup community just got $1 million richer thanks to Knight Foundation

The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation announced Wednesday a pledge of more than $1 million for nine Miamibased projects aimed at building deeper connections between local startup founders, investors, and talent.

The foundation also hopes the awards will attract new talent and investors into Miami’s burgeoning innovation community.

Some of the grantees are:

University of Miami

($250,000): To provide Miami’s startups with greater access to capital by supporting the launch of the Cane Angel Network, which will connect alumni, faculty, staff, parent and other university-affiliated investors with promising university-affiliated companies.

Venture for America

($150,000): To help foster the growth of Venture For America’s Miami program, which places university graduates at high-growth companies for a two-year fellowship. Funding will support the hiring of a dedicated Miami director.

The Venture Mentoring Team

($150,000): To expand a mentorship program that educates, certifies and credentials seasoned business professionals and connects them with talented rising entrepreneurs.

eMerge Americas

($120,000): To advance the yearlong eMerge Americas Fellowship, which invests in the professional development of top-performing local university engineering students and introduces them to opportunities at Miami-based companies.

Just Dinner

($114,000): To support a series of curated, intimate gatherings that bring together newcomers and veterans of Miami’s startup community as a way to promote greater connection, a deeper sense of community and stronger social networks.

Creators Council

($106,000): To launch a member-led, peer-sharing and mentorship platform that aims to create a sense of community among founders and high-impact talent by growing the depth and quality of relationships among peers. Website forthcoming.