Verdict: Partially Kept
Turn Miami into a major tech hub by personally recruiting tech companies and founders, with the viral 'How can I help?' Twitter campaign.
Francis SuarezMayor, Miami·June 1, 2020
Source: Tech recruitment campaign [link]
DevelopmentMeasurable
What was promised
Metric: Tech company relocations and job creation
Target: Major tech hub status
What actually happened
Result: Genuine tech growth but smaller than promised; crypto bust hit hardest
Miami did see a genuine influx of tech companies and venture capital, with firms like Founders Fund, Keith Rabois' Khosla Ventures outpost, and numerous crypto/fintech startups establishing Miami offices. The Wynwood tech scene grew substantially. However, many relocations were crypto-related and contracted during the 2022-2023 downturn. Miami's tech sector remains smaller than Austin, Denver, or Seattle, and Suarez's presidential campaign distracted from local governance in 2023.
Data sources: Bloomberg, The Economist, Fintech Leaders
Verdict: Partially Kept
Some progress was made toward this promise, but the original target was not fully met. Results fell short of the specific commitment.