SWORL Pre-event - Leadership Panel & Networking!

Event Details:
Wonder how companies are formed and accelerated right here in Orlando? 🤔 Are you looking for the ultimate opportunity to connect, learn, and get inspired by the best minds in tech and entrepreneurship?

Then join the Orlando Innovation League in partnership with Black Orlando Tech and Orlando Devs for an exclusive event leading up to Startup Weekend 2024—the must-attend community event of the year for entrepreneurs and innovators! 🚀

What’s in store?
We’re kicking off the excitement with an unforgettable evening at Seminole State College. Starting at 6:30 PM, dive into a night of food, networking, and conversations with some of the top leaders and founders who are shaping the future of innovation.

And that’s not all! You’ll have the rare opportunity to ask questions, connect one-on-one, and learn directly from the experts who have been there and done that.

Plus, every attendee will receive an exclusive discount code for their Startup Weekend Orlando tickets. 💡

RSVP now and secure your spot at the event everyone’s talking about.

Speakers:
Phil Dumas - Builder, Creator, Founder of UniKey Technologies
An Engineer by degree, and entrepreneur by practice, Phil Dumas has played key roles in several startup and large companies. Most recently, Phil founded UniKey Technologies, a mobile key platform company focused on enabling people to move freely and securely through the world’s doors, with ultimate control, convenience, and peace-of-mind. Phil has a passion for, and has been working on, alternative access control solutions for over a decade. With extensive product development, large customer management, turn-around, and M&A experience, Phil has been able to wear the multiple hats required to disrupt the access control space. Phil is also known for his successful appearance on ABC’s Shark Tank, becoming the first company to get an offer from all five sharks.

Rob Panepinto - Managing Partner, CIO, and Director of Strategy and Partnerships
Rob is the Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer for Govo Venture Partners, an early-stage fund that invests in innovative companies in regulated industries or selling to governments.

Rob also serves as Director of Strategy and Partnerships for the UCF Innovation Districts and Business Incubation System. Rob is also the CEO of Entrepreneurs in Action, who manage a social venture fund that invests in social enterprises, helping them create successful businesses and jobs while addressing community and global social needs.

Actively engaged in the Florida entrepreneurial ecosystem, Rob is the Co- Founder and Board Chair for the Rally Social Enterprise Accelerator (an international impact accelerator), and a board member of the
Florida Venture Forum, Orlando Tech Council and Starter Studio. He is also a Board Member and Past Chair of the Central Florida Foundation, the Orlando Police Foundation, the Chair of the Central Florida Housing Action Team and the Board of Overseers for Rollins College Crummer School of Business. Rob was appointed by Gov. Ron Desantis to the Board of the Florida Development Finance Corporation in 2024. Rob was named as one of the Orlando Business Journal’s inaugural Power Players in 2021.

Jacques Fu - Unicorn Founder, CEO, and Podcast Host
Jacques is the co-founder of Stax, one of the Inc 500 fastest growing companies and the first startup to reach "Unicorn" status from the city of Orlando and as a result, he is the first Chinese-American in Florida to become a unicorn founder. He is the host of the "Taking Your Time" podcast and author of "Time Hacks". He co-founded Orlando Devs, the largest developer meetup in Orlando, and The Assistance Fund, the second largest charity in the city according to Guidestar. Jacques has a passion for building products that solve problems, bringing them to market, and scaling them. He is currently the CEO of PETE, where he assists individuals and businesses in creating, selling, and engaging their audience with courses, coaching, webinars, and more to grow their online ventures with the use of AI.

Safia Porter - Executive Director, Marketing Lead, and Tech Founder
Safia Porter serves as the Executive Director of Black Orlando Tech. She is dedicated to leading initiatives to provide technology and entrepreneurship opportunities for underrepresented communities. Safia, based in Orlando, Florida, is an alumna of Full Sail University. With 11 years of experience in Digital Marketing and five years in the nonprofit sector, she is a tech founder and a passionate advocate for diversity in the tech industry, particularly for women and minorities.

Parking Instructions:
The event is in Student Center (SC) Building. Room 185. There is plenty of free parking in front of the building.