Mayor Levine Cava announces winners of MDIA’s Public Innovation Challenge aimed at enhancing cargo visibility at PortMiami

Today, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, alongside PortMiami and Miami-Dade Innovation Authority (MDIA) leaders, announced the pilot project winners of MDIA’s third Public Innovation Challenge. The challenge aims to enhance cargo visibility at PortMiami. 

These real-world pilots integrate AI, computer vision, and advanced analytics to optimize cargo tracking, terminal operations, and roadway congestion - capabilities to scale across national port infrastructure. Funded with $100,000 each from MDIA, the pilot projects by Argu Eye Ltd, Conbo.ai, GenLogs and GridMatrix will demonstrate how emerging technologies can help public sector leaders with actionable data for operational efficiency, safety outcomes and environmental performance. The effort reflects Miami-Dade County’s leadership to harness public-private partnerships like those with MDIA to modernize public infrastructure.

“Introducing real-time cargo tracking at PortMiami through this innovative pilot is a strategic leap toward our vision of becoming the premier trade hub of the Americas. This challenge reflects our ongoing commitment to investing in smart, future-ready infrastructure—boosting efficiency, enhancing global competitiveness, creating local jobs, and delivering even better service to our partners and customers,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava.

GenLogs will provide data on the movement of cargo around the state and country, providing valuable business development insights. Conbo.ai will provide visibility into movement of cargo trucks on Port, which will assist in improving cargo operations. Additionally, Port of Miami Terminal Operating Company (POMTOC) agreed to a joint pilot project with the Port and Conbo.ai, which will provide insights into the movement of cargo trucks and equipment within the terminal, leveraging the data to improve terminal operations. GridMatrix will track the movement of trucks on Port with a focus on roadway safety and congestion. Argu will monitor and analyze container movements and the safety of port operations through incidents involving cargo handling equipment and cargo movement. This allows for new insights into the flow of cargo at the seaport. 

“This challenge exemplifies how the government can catalyze innovation by making it easier for emerging technologies to prove their impact in the real world. By partnering with PortMiami—one of our region’s most vital economic engines—we're not only improving operational efficiency, but also demonstrating a scalable model for how public infrastructure can drive private sector innovation. These pilot projects are the first step in unlocking smarter, safer, and more resilient trade across Miami-Dade and beyond.” said Leigh-Ann A. Buchanan, President and CEO, MDIA.

MDIA’s Public Innovation Challenge, which seeks to bridge the gap between innovative startups and public sector needs, serves as a model for public-private partnerships by fostering innovation that directly benefits the community. Through these pilot projects, Miami-Dade County continues to position itself as a leader in adopting cutting-edge technologies to solve complex logistical challenges.

“Innovation in cargo visibility is reaching an inflection point with new technologies allowing for real-time tracking of trucks and containers, efficiency metric reports, and advanced data analytics. With MDIA’s Public Innovation Challenge, PortMiami aims to be at the forefront of these ‘smart port’ technologies,” said PortMiami Director and CEO Hydi Webb. 

About PortMiami
PortMiami is recognized as the Cruise Capital of the World® and Cargo Gateway of the Americas. The port is among Miami-Dade County’s largest economic engines contributing $61 billion annually to the local economy and supporting more than 340,000 jobs. For more information, please visit www.portmiami.biz. 

About MDIA
MDIA bridges the gap between private innovators and the public sector to fast-track innovation that improves the quality of life for residents.  Through its signature Public Innovation Challenge, it invests in and supports early-to-growth stage companies from across the globe to pilot test technology and solutions to pressing public challenges in collaboration with the economic engines within Miami-Dade County.   A recipient of the International Economic Development Council’s Innovation Award and recognized as a NASDAQ venture equity featured program, MDIA aims to create a replicable blueprint that can be modeled by other municipalities around the world. For more information, visit: https://www.mdia.miami