By Laura Bruney and Sonia Hendler,  Arts & Business Council Miami When talking entrepreneurialism, innovation and Miami all roads lead to Matt Haggman. As Miami Program Director for Knight Foundation he is a visionary that is facilitating the growth of a technology and start-up boom in our community. His change making leadership can be seen in the success of programs, collaborations, mentorships and shared workspaces flourishing in the past year. This power player shares a bit of his creative insight with us in the below interview.

ABC: How has creativity impacted who you are today? MH: When I was a kid I loved sports, but my mom wanted me to be well rounded and signed me up for art classes. She instilled in me the value of being creative, appreciating arts and culture and pursuing all kinds of interests. At Knight Foundation, we made a bet on Miami’s emerging entrepreneurs and innovators nearly two years ago now. We developed our strategy alongside our ongoing work in the arts with the knowledge that there needed to be a concrete relationship between the city’s strong creative community and its growing community of entrepreneurs. Without a solid creative base none of the growth we have seen would have been possible. Take Wynwood, for example, the area is now booming with new developments and creative synergy. That neighborhood has become a success because of the unique creative thread that binds it. That formula for inspired development can be replicated in other neighborhoods and in other parts of Miami.

ABC:For a man who is truly at the nexus of technology, entrepreneurialism what makes Miami’s tech scene distinctive? MH: Any discussion about Miami’s technology scene starts with our unique diversity. Looking at the facts, 60% of the city’s adult population is foreign born. Three-fourths of our local population is from somewhere else. While some people see this as a challenge, we see this as a key differentiator and an enormous asset. Complementing this diversity is a unique start-up zeal. The Kaufman Foundation does a yearly study on entrepreneurial activity and in last year’s report Miami ranked #1 as a leader of new business creation by entrepreneurs

ABC: What are challenges and opportunities in Miami? MH: One of Miami’s big challenges is scaling and growing new ventures. In order to overcome it, we need to support start-ups but also encourage them to work together and guide others. The idea is that if we help build strong new ventures, that successful enterprise can then mentor and collaborate with other start-ups. We want to create this ripple effect.

Another challenge we have in Miami is keeping our young professionals here, but we are making great progress. A recent study found that since the recession Miami ranked fifth in the country in attracting college educated workers. Similarly, a study by economist Joe Cortright found Miami is seeing the fastest increase in the country of well-educated young adults moving to the urban core. We need to build on this, creating even more opportunities that attract millennials. The arts has a crucial role to play in that and Miami’s innovative cultural community and our vibrant arts scene is a big asset. In addition we need to create more opportunities for young professionals to better connect and work together. That’s where programs like Refresh Miami, Tech Cocktail and Start Up Grind that connect people and build community really help.

Also part of attracting new talent and investment is changing an old narrative of Miami as simply a vacation or tourist destination. A Miami that is more creative, innovative, urban and international is rapidly taking flight and we need to tell that story.

One clear opportunity in Miami is that the city is open to change. In fact we have a great community of changemakers working to make Miami great and there are lots of ways motivated young professionals can get involved and make an enormous impact.

ABC: There are many other established tech communities that intrinsically make the connection between arts and tech, what can we apply to Miami? MH: Strong tech cities typically have an educated population that values both entrepreneurship and creativity. So continuing to build Miami’s arts and cultural life is important, as is creating a larger sense of place in Miami that will lead to stronger attachment. We also need to foster an environment that is open to new ideas. Miami is primed to be a hub for a variety of industries including technology. We will not replicate what other cities have done but will create our own path by embracing what is unique here.

ABC: What role do you see the arts and creativity playing in Miami’s growth as a global community? MH: The arts are critical. Knight Foundation believes in the power of the arts to bind and inspire. Knight Foundation CEO Alberto Ibarguen says, “We aim to make the arts general”. This means making the arts an essential and ever-present part of our lives. At Knight, under the leadership of Dennis Scholl, our VP of Arts, we are working very hard at doing that. It’s difficult to think of a successful city that attracts new business and retains talented young professionals that does not have an active and vital arts community.

ABC: What is something really awesome that you are working on right now? MH: I am excited about our partnership with Endeavor. Endeavor is a non-profit that supports high-impact entrepreneurs around the world. Their model breaks down economic and cultural barriers to entrepreneurship through advising, support and mentorship. Knight Foundation encouraged them to open their first US office in Miami and we provided them with the funding to do it. Its arrival can be a game-changer for Miami. This is the ripple effect I talked about earlier; Endeavor brings with it new resources, networks and fresh ideas.

ABC: How can we further connect the creativity with tech and entrepreneurial communities? MH: That type of cross-pollination makes all the sense in the world. We need to continue to find unique ways to combine the arts, with Miami’s creative and tech industries. Knight Foundation, for example, regularly hosts tech events at the New World Center in Miami Beach. The venue is managed by the New World Symphony, an arts group that has embraced technology and innovation. It is such an impressive space and it gives us an opportunity to further connect the arts and technology communities. Another example is the Wynwood neighborhood, which has developed into a trendy arts area with dozens of galleries, museums, studios and street art. The creative vibe in the area has attracted entrepreneurs that are developing innovative start-ups and collaborations.

ABC: Tell us a few local events where creatives can connect with tech? MH: There’s lots of opportunities—the Miami Mini Maker Faire, eMerge Americas, SIME, Startup City Miami, Refresh Miami, Tech Cocktail, Start-up Grind, Miami Music Summit, Smart City Startups, even Waffle Wednesday. I would encourage people to sign up for our news updates at knightfoundation.org/miami to get the latest info on happenings and events.

About the ARTiculators Blog Articulators are change makers that join two parts together. The Arts & Business Council developed the Articulators blog to shine the spotlight on entrepreneurs, industry insiders and community collaborators that are developing imaginative and innovative intersections with the arts and the creative community. Visit our website www.ArtsBizMiami.org to read our entire blog salon.