Kevin Cadette is connecting a vast network of black angel investors to Miami’s minority-owned businesses

Lately, it’s been all about Zoom, dogs chiming into strategic meetings and kids getting shooed away as they wander into the periphery, but Kevin Cadette takes it all in stride. No one seems as unflappable or as motivated by the seismic shifts this London-born startup industry veteran and technology leader who is determined to change the landscape of tech and investing in Miami.

His organization Black Angels Miami aims to connect black investors to promising minority- owned startups.

“There’s plenty of opportunity for young people to get involved in tech, but Miami is conducive towards our present company to locate here. Taxes are low, salaries are more competitive than in Silicon Valley or New York, the city has a lower cost of living and there are so many startups. Then you have the Knight Foundation and other groups who are invested in the ecosystem in Miami and they really spur change.”

ANGELS ON THE WAY

Kevin and the superbly talented team at Black Angels Miami have been the recipients of a $250,000 grant from Knight Foundation to fulfill their mission of connecting minority-and women-owned startups with black investors. At the moment, they are focusing their efforts on matching tech startups with venture capitalists. “Tech comes into play because it can readily scale,” says Kevin. This means that investors partnering with Black Angels Miami are seeking startup ideas that are truly ambitious. Beyond local, candidates must have their sights on having a global reach.

“Relationships are not transactional” is a mantra you will hear again and again in the organization’s mission statement, and when you speak to its passionate Executive Director, you understand why this is one of its core values. “This space is driven by relationships,” Cadette explains. “Those who know me know that I will try and help them because I’m not competing with anybody. Everyone in this space is trying to help one another. Anything that is a good investment is good for Miami and is positive for everyone.”

DIVINE DIVERSITY

If the last couple of months have taught us anything is that in order to sustain Miami’s strong service industry, even during times of crisis, it is vitally important to jumpstart its entrepreneurial spirit and further diversify the local industry portfolio. People already want to relocate to Miami and as remote work becomes more prevalent, “destination cities” are primed to be the next Silicon Valley. If Kevin Cadette and his Black Angels team succeed, “Silicon Miami” will rival its predecessor with the added benefit of more diverse talent and capital in its ranks.

“We see diversity as a strength. Ideally, we want to see the landscape reflect the population. I think you would want that in any field. My goal is to make sure that we represent stellar companies.” blackangels.miami