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Miami-Dade County is home to countless creative, driven and talented entrepreneurs who have brilliant ideas and a passion to succeed.
However, many of these aspiring business owners face a critical barrier: they lack access to the resources or capital necessary to test the viability of their business concepts. Without a way to pilot their ideas in real-world conditions, many potential entrepreneurs are left on the sidelines, unable to take the first step toward launching a business. That’s where Strive305 and its latest initiative come into play.
Recognizing this ongoing challenge, Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava tasked the Strive305 team — now led by Manny Cid — along with a group of dedicated Strive305 Ambassadors, to find an innovative solution. Their mission was clear: help local entrepreneurs test their ideas without the usual upfront costs or risks. The result of this initiative is a groundbreaking public-private partnership with The Florida Market Place Group led by Diego Caiola.
The Florida Market Place Group is a key player in Miami-Dade’s small business scene. They manage dozens of community events, vendor markets, and small business activations throughout the county. Their deep connections with local markets and experience hosting high-traffic events made them an ideal partner for this endeavor.
Out of this collaboration was born the Market Match Maker Program — a name personally chosen by Mayor Levine Cava. This innovative program connects local entrepreneurs with real markets and events throughout the 305, allowing them to test their products or services in front of live customers for a two-week period — completely free of charge.
Yes, you read that right. The program provides entrepreneurs with a free opportunity to showcase and test their ideas in real-world environments. Whether it’s a product, a new gadget, a piece of handmade jewelry, artwork, clothing, or even a food concept, entrepreneurs can now pilot their idea in a live setting without spending a dime. This gives them valuable feedback, customer interaction, and exposure, all of which are critical to business development.
The Market Match Maker Program has already helped launch several success stories and is proving to be a game-changer for the community. For many participants, it is the first time they have been able to validate their business idea without needing to risk their limited funds. It’s also helping foster confidence, economic independence, and a renewed entrepreneurial spirit in neighborhoods across Miami-Dade.
Getting started is simple. If you are a budding entrepreneur with a business idea you want to test, just reach out to Strive305@miamidade.gov or
Diego@thefloridamarketplacegroup.com. The onboarding process is quick, and the Strive305 team will help get you placed at an appropriate event or market that suits your product or service.
And it doesn’t end there. Once you have tested your idea, the door is wide open for further opportunities. With proof of concept, you will be in a stronger position to pursue funding, expand your product line, or move forward with launching your business full-time.
To stay updated on new programs, success stories, and upcoming events, visit Strive305Hub.com and subscribe to the newsletter.
With the right support and the right platform, your idea could be the next big success story coming out of Miami-Dade.
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