VirtuWorks Expands HQ as Miami Tech Scene Booms
IT services firm VirtuWorks is expanding its Coral Gables headquarters to over 10,000 square feet. The move is a direct response to Miami's rapid emergence as a global technology and business hub, attracting firms like Palantir and major investment.
Long before the recent tech influx, VirtuWorks was a foundational piece of Miami's original internet scene. Co-founders Omar Armenteros and Matt Mehler started the company in the mid-90s as one of the area's first Internet Service Providers, initially offering dial-up access and basic web services. The firm, which began as GISnet, has since evolved into a managed IT and cybersecurity provider with over 35 employees. CEO Omar Armenteros has stated that the company's expansion is a direct reflection of their commitment to supporting the organizations that are part of Miami's current growth into a global business hub. This growth is fueled by a significant migration of capital and corporate entities. Ken Griffin's hedge fund, Citadel, is a prominent example, having relocated its global headquarters from Chicago to a new waterfront tower in the Brickell financial district. Griffin himself cited the city's energy and diversity as key factors in the move. The trend of high-profile relocations was established earlier by figures like billionaire investor Carl Icahn, who moved his firm, Icahn Enterprises, from New York to Sunny Isles Beach in 2020. This was part of a larger exodus of finance and tech leaders seeking a more favorable business and tax environment. This corporate migration is underpinned by a booming startup ecosystem. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, tech companies in South Florida attracted $900 million in venture capital. The city's startup scene saw a 28% expansion, making it the fastest-growing in the United States. The influx of established tech and finance companies, alongside a flourishing startup culture, has solidified Miami's position as a critical technology hub. This environment provides a strong customer base for long-standing local IT firms like VirtuWorks, enabling their continued growth and expansion.
