Today we’d like to introduce you to Cliff Brookes
Hi Cliff, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I grew up outside of Philadelphia and was always drawn to art. Initially, I considered architecture, but when I learned it could take over a decade to see my first building completed, I realized I needed something with a faster creative cycle. In my junior year art class, I was introduced to digital design and I never looked back.
Academically, I wasn’t the strongest student, but once I got accepted to the Art Institute, everything clicked. Design didn’t feel like work; every project was an opportunity to push creative boundaries. I was one of the lucky few in my graduating class to secure a job right after finishing school.
My professional journey started at the largest agency in Philadelphia, where I was the youngest designer on a team of seasoned professionals, most with a decade of experience. It was a trial by fire—critique sessions were tough, and I often left wondering if I had chosen the right path. But instead of giving up, I doubled down, constantly learning and refining my skills. That perseverance led me to my first startup idea.
Not knowing how to run a business, I reached out to my network and discovered that one of my neighbors was a professor at the University of Pennsylvania. On a Monday afternoon, I took my prototype to campus, which changed my life path forever. Suddenly, I was in conversations with people at Google and other major tech companies. This led to meeting two founders who were building a startup in New York City and invited me to join as their founding designer. I packed up and moved to NYC, where I worked across multiple startups and realized that the city was where I thrived. It was an environment that pushed me creatively and professionally, giving me both a sense of excitement and peace.
My most pivotal career move happened in New York when I became the Head of Design for a venture studio. My job was to create companies from scratch—our corporate partners needed us to identify opportunities, validate ideas, and launch multiple ventures each year. I was responsible for the concept phase, from problem discovery to designing early-stage products. That experience shaped how I work today and provided an unparalleled learning curve.
After more than a decade in NYC, my wife and I were ready for a new chapter. We left our apartment in Harlem for Mexico City, where we worked remotely before moving to Barcelona, all while planning our wedding in Mexico.
In 2024, we settled in South Florida, embracing a fresh start. The venture and tech scenes here are still emerging, which is exciting. Coming from the well-established ecosystem of NYC, it’s refreshing to be in a place where innovation is still taking shape. It feels like the perfect time to bring my experience in venture and design to help shape what’s next.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Startups are inherently unstable, and I learned that the hard way early in my career. At my first startup, I was unexpectedly laid off on a Sunday afternoon. Rent in NYC wasn’t cheap, and suddenly, I found myself scrambling to find a job as quickly as possible.
It’s easy to second-guess yourself when you’re just starting, especially in a city as fast-paced and ambitious as NYC. Everywhere I looked, it seemed like everyone else was thriving, and I started wondering if I was actually good enough or if I had just gotten lucky. Those months of uncertainty were some of the hardest of my career, but once I landed a new role, I realized how much that struggle had shaped me.
I still use that experience as motivation today. The moment you feel like you’re on stable ground, you risk becoming complacent, and complacency is one of the most dangerous places to be. The struggles remind you to stay sharp, keep learning, and never take what you’ve built for granted. Every challenge has reinforced that resilience is just as important as talent.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a designer, but a unique designer in that my work goes beyond just designing products—I design companies. As a venture designer, I work with founders, investors, corporate partners, and more to bring new ideas to life, from early concepts to real, scalable businesses. I thrive in the early stages when things are still taking shape, and collaboration is key. I’ve found that the best ideas don’t come from a single person—they emerge from different perspectives coming together, refining, and building on each other. My role is to help guide that process, ensuring that design thinking plays a critical role in creating something meaningful and impactful.
I believe design is everywhere. Most people don’t think about it, but every object we interact with—how a chair supports your body, the way a street sign directs you, even how a door handle is shaped to guide your hand—has been designed with intention. Good design often goes unnoticed, but it shapes our world in ways we don’t even realize.
What I’m most proud of is the impact my work has had, particularly in healthcare. Many of the products I’ve designed have improved the lives of patients, caregivers, and those navigating the complexities of care. Whether it’s building tools to help doctors manage chronic conditions more effectively or creating systems that simplify how families find and access care, I’ve always been drawn to work that makes a real difference in people’s lives.
What sets me apart is my approach to design. To me, design is fun, and it should be collaborative. A great idea can come from a founder, a developer, a customer, or even an offhand comment in a conversation. Inspiration can come from an unexpected place—an old building, a random product in a store, or even a frustrating user experience that sparks a better way to do things. I create environments where everyone feels empowered to contribute because the best ideas often come from the least expected places.
What’s next?
Right now, I’m most excited about helping shape Miami’s growing tech ecosystem. The city has all the right pieces—talent, ambition, capital—but the full picture hasn’t come together yet. As I continue meeting people in the scene, I’m gaining a clearer sense of where I fit in and how I can contribute to Miami’s growth. The goal isn’t just to build great companies here—it’s to help Miami attract and retain top talent, creating an environment that rivals the established tech hubs of SF and NYC. There’s a real opportunity to make an impact, and I’m excited to be part of that momentum.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cliffbrookes.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cliffbrookes
