On May 15, Mindspace Wynwood hosted the third annual Big Pitch Night, and if Miami needed any more proof that it’s become a serious hub for founders and operators, this was it.
The evening brought together entrepreneurs, investors, and members of Miami’s startup ecosystem for a night of live pitches, expert feedback, and real community. Shark Tank’s Daymond John was on hand to moderate the event, share insights on entrepreneurship and growth, and engage with the crowd throughout the night.
Five Founders. One Stage. Real Stakes.
Five founders pitched their companies live to a panel of judges: Erica Groussman, Founder & CEO of TRUBAR; Richard Lavina, CEO & Co-Founder of Taxfyle; Maria Derchi Russo, CEO of Refresh Miami; and Amir Segall, COO of Mindspace.
The pitches covered a wide range of industries and ideas:
– Pavel Stepanov, Founder of Lusaea, a therapy companion app
– Shir Ibgui, Founder of Globe Thrivers, a travel-planning platform that turns creator inspiration into bookable trips
– Brando Caveiro, Founder of Got Game, a video-challenge app for skill-based competitions
– Rafael Aguayo Lopez, Founder of Revel, a wellness-focused platform built around community and experiences
– Oscar Hedaya, Founder of SPACE, a smart safe startup
After a competitive round of presentations and live feedback, Oscar Hedaya of SPACE took home the top prize — a package that included access to Daymond On Demand, a Mindspace All-Access Membership, and a PR consultation with The Tag Experience.
More Than a Competition
The competition was just one part of the night. An additional ten startups participated in the Founder Expo, giving guests the chance to discover and connect with emerging companies throughout the evening. Cocktails, food, music, and candid conversations filled the space as founders and attendees mingled between rounds.
And of course — moments like these deserve to be captured. That’s where Pixel Lab Events came in. Their digital photo booth experience brought an interactive activation to the floor, giving guests a way to document the night in real time with instant digital delivery. Pixel Lab Events specializes in brand activations and experiential marketing — and on a night with this kind of energy, having them in the room made the whole experience feel that much more memorable.
What Daymond Said
Throughout the evening, Daymond John shared hard-won perspective on fundraising, branding, and building businesses from the ground up.
“Miami continues to establish itself as a strong market for entrepreneurs and emerging businesses because of the collaboration, diversity, and energy within the community,” said Daymond John. “Events like the Big Pitch Night are important because they give founders the opportunity to present their ideas, receive real-time feedback, and build valuable relationships. My advice to entrepreneurs is always to start with what you have, test your concept in the market, and continue refining it as you grow.”
Why Mindspace Does This
Events like Big Pitch Night aren’t just programming — they’re part of how Mindspace shows up for the communities where we operate.
“At Mindspace, we’re committed to creating spaces and experiences where entrepreneurs can connect, collaborate, and grow,” said Mark Goldfinger, GM, Head of North America at Mindspace. “The Big Pitch Night has become a celebration of Miami’s entrepreneurial spirit, and we’re proud to continue supporting the founders building the future here in Miami.”
Want to work out of the same space where Miami’s founders pitch, connect, and build? Book a tour to explore Mindspace Wynwood.
The Author
You might also like these reads — picked just for you.
Brooklyn’s Coworking Boom: Why the Borough Now Leads the Nation in Flex Office Share
Every few years, a New York neighborhood has a moment. Right now, the entire borough of Brooklyn is having one, and the office market has the numbers to prove it. For most of the last decade, the story of flexible workspace was a Manhattan story. The big coworking brands planted their flags in Midtown and […]
Coworking Day Pass in London: Why It Beats Working From a Coffee Shop
London is one of the world’s most productive cities, but finding a workspace remains a nightmare. The city overflows with talent. Every day, thousands of independent professionals and founders arrive without a fixed desk, only to find a workspace infrastructure that hasn’t kept up. Libraries close early or ban phone calls. Hotel lobbies are hit-and-miss. […]
Return to Office in NYC: What It Actually Means for Brooklyn Founders
The return-to-office debate stopped being a debate sometime in the last year. The headlines made it feel like a fight, petitions, pushback, the occasional viral resignation, but underneath the noise, the market quietly settled the question. People are back in New York offices, and the data says they’re not going back home. For founders running […]
