Key Takeaways
- • Stephen Ross and Ken Griffin each committed $5 million to fund "Ambition Accelerated," a $10 million national economic development campaign designed to attract corporate leaders, founders, and investors to South Florida.
- • The campaign launched February 2, 2026, and is run through the Florida Council of 100, positioning South Florida as a business-friendly destination for CEO relocation and company headquarters establishment.
- • Griffin, founder of hedge fund Citadel, and Ross, real estate mogul behind Related Companies, are both major stakeholders in South Florida's economic infrastructure—Griffin investing hundreds of millions in Miami while Ross invests billions in West Palm Beach development.
- • The initiative targets high-level executive talent and founders seeking to scale operations, leveraging Florida's regulatory environment and established infrastructure as competitive advantages for business relocation.
Summary
Billionaires Stephen Ross and Ken Griffin have jointly funded a $10 million campaign to position South Florida as a premier destination for corporate leadership and entrepreneurial talent. Each billionaire committed $5 million to "Ambition Accelerated," a national economic development initiative launched on February 2, 2026, and administered through the Florida Council of 100. The campaign represents a coordinated effort by two of South Florida's most influential business figures to attract CEOs, founders, investors, and executives to the region.
The initiative reflects both Ross and Griffin's substantial existing commitments to South Florida's economic development. Ross, the chairman of Related Companies, is investing billions of dollars in West Palm Beach real estate and infrastructure projects, while Griffin, founder and CEO of Citadel, has committed hundreds of millions—potentially billions—to Miami-based investments and expansion. Their joint backing of "Ambition Accelerated" signals confidence in the region's long-term business trajectory and competitive positioning.
The campaign's messaging centers on South Florida's business-friendly regulatory environment and infrastructure as differentiators for founders and scaling companies. Marketing materials describe the region as "the only place a founder can scale," appealing directly to venture-backed entrepreneurs and established executives considering relocation. The initiative targets not only individual company moves but also broader talent migration, positioning South Florida against traditional financial and technology hubs.
This economic development effort underscores a broader trend of institutional capital and high-net-worth individuals investing in Florida's business ecosystem as an alternative to traditional coastal financial centers. Both Ross and Griffin have made substantial personal commitments to South Florida beyond this campaign, suggesting long-term conviction in the region's growth potential and regulatory advantages.
The initiative reflects both Ross and Griffin's substantial existing commitments to South Florida's economic development. Ross, the chairman of Related Companies, is investing billions of dollars in West Palm Beach real estate and infrastructure projects, while Griffin, founder and CEO of Citadel, has committed hundreds of millions—potentially billions—to Miami-based investments and expansion. Their joint backing of "Ambition Accelerated" signals confidence in the region's long-term business trajectory and competitive positioning.
The campaign's messaging centers on South Florida's business-friendly regulatory environment and infrastructure as differentiators for founders and scaling companies. Marketing materials describe the region as "the only place a founder can scale," appealing directly to venture-backed entrepreneurs and established executives considering relocation. The initiative targets not only individual company moves but also broader talent migration, positioning South Florida against traditional financial and technology hubs.
This economic development effort underscores a broader trend of institutional capital and high-net-worth individuals investing in Florida's business ecosystem as an alternative to traditional coastal financial centers. Both Ross and Griffin have made substantial personal commitments to South Florida beyond this campaign, suggesting long-term conviction in the region's growth potential and regulatory advantages.
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