PROXHAUS™ officially launched in Miami following a kickoff event at Claudie in Brickell on September 23, drawing approximately 50 members, including Mark Burns, Executive Director of the Coconut Grove Business Improvement District; Joe Hornstein, VP of Philanthropy at Goodwill South Florida; Edith Vargas, Founder of Keeping Your Book; and Emmy Award-winning journalist Pamela Silva. The launch signals a new approach to community building in a city increasingly recognized as a hub for entrepreneurship and cross-sector collaboration.
Founded by Silvana Massolo, PROXHAUS aims to bring people, ideas, businesses, and experiences closer together through connection, collaboration, and opportunity. The name itself reflects a core philosophy. "The name PROXHAUS reflects our belief that proximity creates possibility — that bringing the right people, ideas, businesses, and experiences closer together can lead to impactful change," Massolo said. "Through experiences like The Room and The Table, along with the causes we support and the relationships we build, we're creating a community that shows up together, moves with intention, and creates opportunities that extend far beyond any single event."
The organization offers a free community membership that includes access to news, events, exclusive discounts, and community updates. Paid memberships range from $195 to $3,500 annually and provide expanded visibility, connections, and access. These tiers are designed for young professionals, civic and nonprofit leaders, individuals, businesses, and corporate partners. Benefits can include member spotlights, social and website exposure, advance event access, founder-facilitated introductions, member pricing for experiences, email marketing opportunities, and brand activations.
Massolo's personal experience underscores the initiative's purpose. "I understand the power of proximity and how it can help forge relationships and opportunities that people may not otherwise encounter on their own," she said. "PROXHAUS is the community I wish I had when I was 25, at scale." That statement highlights a broader implication: while many networking groups exist, PROXHAUS seeks to systematize serendipity by curating environments where meaningful connections are more likely to occur.
The launch also has implications for Miami's business and nonprofit ecosystem. By developing strategic partnerships with brands, businesses, organizations, and community leaders, PROXHAUS is creating new avenues for collaboration, visibility, engagement, and experiences within its community. This could help bridge gaps between for-profit and nonprofit sectors, as evidenced by the attendance of leaders from Goodwill South Florida and the Coconut Grove BID.
As PROXHAUS grows, it is exploring expansion into additional markets through partnerships with trusted local leaders who share its vision for building connected, relationship-driven communities. That ambition suggests the model could be replicated beyond Miami, potentially influencing how communities are built in other cities. For those interested in learning more about PROXHAUS and exploring membership opportunities, visit www.proxhaus.com.
