At the 2025 Miami Tech Summit, held at the vibrant Pérez Art Museum Miami, tech visionary and Kaseya CEO Fred Voccola captivated the audience with an insightful, wide-ranging fireside chat that touched on everything from global tariffs and cybersecurity to the rise of Miami as a tech capital and his personal story of innovation and purpose.
Introduced warmly by moderator Jose Felix Diaz as a “mastermind behind multiple successful companies” and the driving force behind Kaseya’s move to Miami, Voccola didn’t shy away from the tough questions—starting with the impact of President Trump’s newly implemented tariff policies.
Tariffs, Trade, and the Tech Sector
Voccola offered a candid perspective on the geopolitical tension brewing around technology trade.
“Tariffs are just one form of protectionism,” he explained. “In software, the bigger barriers are structural. In places like Japan, you can’t even sell your product unless you create a 51/49 joint venture with a local company. That’s essentially a 51% tax.”
While the U.S. still dominates global software—producing upwards of 90% of the market—Voccola warned that foreign governments are leveraging protectionism to fuel their own IP and AI development for the next generation of technology.
“Right now, the U.S. owns the software market,” he said. “But countries like China and India are investing in R&D behind those walls. That’s what worries me—not tariffs today, but innovation tomorrow.”
Cybersecurity: The New Battlefield
As global trade debates escalate, Voccola expressed concern that cyberattacks could become a retaliatory tool of state-influenced bad actors.
“A significant amount of global cybercrime isn’t sanctioned—but it is tolerated by certain governments,” he said. “These are billion-dollar, well-run criminal enterprises. And we’re seeing them used to shape economic policy.”
In the modern tech landscape, cybersecurity is not a siloed issue—it’s an economic weapon. And the risks are rising.
Miami’s Tech Renaissance
Voccola has played a central role in turning Miami into a true tech player. From his early decision to base Kaseya in Miami to now overseeing one of the city’s largest employers, he believes the region’s future is bright.
“Miami has what tech needs: human capital, immigrant work ethic, and no legacy infrastructure holding it back,” he said. “We’re seeing the same pattern as Dubai—a government that’s business-friendly, and a city ready to compete.”
He also emphasized the power of anchor companies like Kaseya in spawning innovation ecosystems.
“Microsoft made Seattle a tech hub. We’re doing the same in Miami. Already, a dozen companies have spun out of Kaseya.”
The AI Revolution: 10,000x Productivity
Voccola had strong words on artificial intelligence and its dual potential for good and harm.
“If I became a black-hat hacker today, I’d be 10,000 times more dangerous than I was four years ago,” he said. “AI has leveled up both the good guys and the bad guys.”
Still, he sees AI as transformative across every sector—from construction to consulting—and urged the crowd not to fear the change but embrace it.
“If you’re not using AI, you’re already falling behind. Every profession is going to be impacted.”
Innovation Is Grinding, Not Glamour
Dispelling the myth that innovation only happens in “Eureka!” moments, Voccola spoke passionately about what real progress looks like.
“Most innovation is grinding. It’s making something just 1% better—again and again. That’s what changes the world.”
He urged entrepreneurs to focus on solving problems, not building flashy tech for its own sake.
“Find a real problem. Make life 15% easier for someone. Then do it again. That’s innovation.”
Advice to Founders: Obsess Over the Problem
Voccola shared a wealth of hard-won wisdom with the next generation of founders in the room:
- Solve Real Problems: “Don’t get married to your tech. Get married to your customer’s pain.”
- Pivot Relentlessly: “Your first idea is rarely the best one. Be ready to adapt—weekly.”
- Scale with Discipline: “Instrumentation is everything. Know your business at a micro-level.”
- Be Ruthless with M&A: “There can only be one culture. M&A only works when you have clarity.”
A Heartfelt Tribute: The Legacy of Harry Voccola
One of the most moving moments of the session came when Diaz asked about Voccola’s late father, Harry—a beloved presence in the Miami tech community and a pioneer in technologies like electronic toll collection.
“He taught me: find a big problem, fix it, and you’ll feel good about your life,” Voccola said, fighting back emotion. “I was lucky—my dad showed me what innovation looked like before I even knew the word.”
Philanthropy and Purpose: The Cooper Foundation
Voccola also shared the origin story of the Cooper Voccola Family Foundation, named after his wheelchair-bound beagle, Cooper.
“We pair disabled animals with injured veterans and people overcoming adversity,” he said. “Taking care of something can be life-changing.”
Final Words: A Tech Titan with Heart
Jose Felix Diaz closed the session with a simple, powerful summary:
“Fred isn’t just building companies. He’s building people. And he’s building Miami.”
As the audience gave a standing ovation, it was clear: Fred Voccola isn’t just one of the good guys in tech—he’s one of the cornerstones of Miami’s future.