Spotlighting LGBTQ+ Innovation: emerge Americas Hosts Pride Pitch Night

Spotlighting LGBTQ+ Innovation: eMerge Americas Hosts Pride Pitch Night

In a dynamic celebration of innovation, inclusion, and entrepreneurship, eMerge Americas hosted their Pride Month eMpower series event on June 25 at Medium Cool Cocktail Lounge in Miami Beach. The pitch competition highlighted LGBTQ+ founders and the bold ideas shaping the future of tech. The event brought together community leaders, industry partners, and a high-energy crowd to support four standout startups led by LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs.

Each founder took the stage with inspiring pitches that reflected creativity, impact, and the drive to solve real-world problems. Their passion was contagious, making for an unforgettable evening filled with optimism, support, and celebration of diverse voices in the tech ecosystem.

The grand prize went to JEM Social, a startup dedicated to fostering genuine community engagement through social innovation. Their pitch earned them a $2,500 microgrant, two passes to eMerge Americas 2026, and a $1,000 bonus courtesy of BIG Capital, a testament to both their vision and potential.

This special event was made possible thanks to the support of sponsors and partners committed to advancing equity in innovation: the City of Miami Beach, Northeastern University–Miami, Delta, the City of Miami, Google Cloud, and BIG Capital. Their contributions helped make the evening a success, reflecting a shared commitment to uplifting underrepresented founders and promoting inclusive economic growth.

This event highlights the essential contributions of LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs in driving innovation and shaping a more inclusive, future-focused tech industry. For the City of Miami Beach, supporting events like this not only reflects a commitment to equity and representation, but also strengthens the local economy by attracting visionary talent, fostering startup growth, and building a resilient ecosystem where diverse businesses can thrive.