Every spring, Miami Beach hosts one of the most important gatherings in the global technology calendar. This April, that gathering arrives with more weight behind it than any previous edition. eMerge Americas 2026 descends on the Miami Beach Convention Center on April 23–24, bringing together more than 20,000 decision-makers, investors, founders, and innovators from over 60 countries — and doing so against a backdrop of Miami tech momentum that has shifted from promising to provable.
As the only event uniting AI, Health, Finance, and National Security in one immersive experience, eMerge Americas delivers unmatched access to the leaders shaping the future. That positioning is not just a marketing line in 2026. It reflects something real about where Miami now sits in the global innovation map — and why the world is paying attention.
What Is eMerge Americas?
eMerge Americas is a strategic convener and catalyst for innovation, bringing together global enterprises, startups, investors, and government leaders to accelerate advancements in AI and deep tech, national security, health, and finance. Through year-round programming and its annual global tech conference and expo in Miami, eMerge Americas connects capital, talent, and ideas to drive impactful progress, strengthen industries, and bring transformative and emerging technologies to market.
Now in its 12th year, the conference has grown from a regional gathering into a genuine global event. The flagship annual event convenes more than 20,000 global thought leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators from around the globe each spring at the Miami Beach Convention Center, spotlighting cutting-edge technology, transformative startups, and forward-thinking dialogue across core verticals including finance, health, artificial intelligence, defense, and venture.
The 2026 Lineup: Defense Meets Deep Tech
This year’s edition arrives with programming that reflects the moment. The three-day conference will feature six dynamic stages covering AI and deep tech, national security, HealthTech, FinTech, and more, alongside curated networking lounges, interactive exhibit areas, live pitches from the world’s leading startups, and multiple networking events, including the Opening Night Block Party on Miami Beach’s iconic Lincoln Road.
Emil Michael, Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering, will headline the 2026 conference. Michael’s keynote marks a defining moment for eMerge Americas’ national security vertical, as the conference continues to expand its role as a global convening platform for defense leaders, policymakers, technologists, investors, and founders shaping the future of security and advanced technology.
In the featured keynote conversation, Under Secretary Michael will join Francis X. Suarez, former Mayor of Miami and President of eMerge Americas, for a strategic discussion on how the Department of War is accelerating artificial intelligence deployment at unprecedented speed, moving from pilot programs to enterprise-wide, mission-critical integration — including the Pentagon’s partnerships with frontier AI companies, the role of the Defense Innovation Unit and Office of Strategic Capital in providing funding vehicles for industry, and the six newly defined Critical Technology Areas that reflect the Department’s investment priorities.
Additional featured speakers include Tim Tebow, entrepreneur and six-time New York Times best-selling author; Dr. Alex Oshmyansky, co-founder and CEO of Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug; and Jamie Siminoff, founder of Ring. Col. Nicole Malachowski, USAF (Ret.) — the first woman Thunderbird pilot, a combat veteran, fighter squadron commander, and White House Fellow — is also confirmed.
The Pre-Conference Week Starting April 20
Starting Monday, April 20, Miami becomes the epicenter of global innovation as eMerge Americas launches a nonstop run of experiences, high-impact summits, and unforgettable moments leading into the main conference.
eMerge Americas will host its 2nd National Security Demo Day on Tuesday, April 21 at PortMiami, where vetted innovators will demonstrate mission-ready, multi-domain technologies to more than 400 senior national security leaders — reinforcing South Florida’s role as a national security innovation hub.
April 22 features Founders’ Day and a benefit concert for the families of fallen shadow warriors, with performer Darius Rucker. The main conference and expo opens April 23, running 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with a VIP Executive Healthcare track including a healthcare innovation venture ecosystem demo day and private lunch with select healthcare executives.
Startups: $125,000 in Prizes, Investor Access, a Global Stage
For founders, eMerge Americas is one of the most concentrated funding opportunities on the calendar. The eMerge Global Startup Accelerator and Showcase features 100 diverse and innovative companies invited to experience year-round programming, culminating in a pitch competition at the eMerge Americas conference. The program connects diverse and innovative talent with mentors, investors, and corporate enterprises in the South Florida community.
Selected startups receive personalized, one-on-one guidance from seasoned mentors to sharpen their pitch and strategy, a virtual workshop curriculum that strengthens fundraising, go-to-market, and growth plans, a dedicated eMerge Expo booth, and the chance to step onto the main stage to compete for investment funding and prizes, alongside significant investor and media visibility.
Beyond the Showcase, the SMB Growth Lab, powered by JPMorganChase and Momentum Miami, offers Miami-Dade–based small and medium-sized businesses access to cutting-edge digital tools, comprehensive training, and exclusive connections with key players in the tech ecosystem. Selected participants take part in a private day of expert-led workshops and receive complimentary access to the eMerge Americas Global Conference and Expo, including a dedicated exhibit space in the SMB Pavilion.
Why 2026 Is Different: Miami’s Tech Ecosystem Has Arrived
Previous editions of eMerge Americas asked the question: can Miami become a genuine global tech hub? The 2026 edition is held in a city where that question has largely been answered.
Miami-area startups drew $4.13 billion in venture capital in 2025 — up 49% over 2024 — across 376 deals. Statewide, Florida attracted $5.82 billion. The top deal was a $200 million raise by OpenEvidence, an AI-native medical information company that relocated from Cambridge, Massachusetts to South Florida. “Florida doesn’t need to be the loudest ecosystem to be effective,” said Rachael Ferm of Florida Funders. “The opportunity here is building durable, capital-efficient companies in sectors where talent, customers, and cost structure align.”
Palantir — the AI and data analytics company valued at over $300 billion — relocated its headquarters from Denver to Aventura, Florida, making it the largest publicly traded company headquartered in South Florida. The move was hailed by local leaders as a “watershed moment” validating Florida’s position as a hub for national security and AI innovation.
That context transforms eMerge Americas 2026 into something more than a conference. When a $300 billion AI company moves to your backyard, when venture capital investment jumps 49% year-over-year, and when the federal government is sending senior defense officials to keynote local tech events, the momentum is structural — not promotional.
How to Attend
eMerge Americas offers multiple attendance options, from general conference access with expo floor entry, main keynotes, and education sessions across five stages, to VIP passes that include access to the VIP Lounge, private meet-and-greets with headline speakers, AI-powered matchmaking, and a VIP Closing Beach Party. Government discounts are available for federal, state, and local officials, government innovation employees, active-duty military, veterans, and first responders.
The conference takes place April 23–24, 2026 at the Miami Beach Convention Center. Registration is open at emergeamericas.com.
Miami has spent the last five years building the infrastructure, the capital networks, and the talent pipelines to compete on a global stage. eMerge Americas 2026 is where that work gets put on display.
