Meet Melissa Medina | CEO and President of eMerge Americas

We had the good fortune of connecting with Melissa Medina and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Melissa, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
The decision wasn’t made overnight; a long series of events led to the start of the business I lead today. The idea arose through conversations with my father – we both wanted to create something to help spark and foster the tech ecosystem in Miami, our home. Both then and now, we are extremely passionate about helping our community and wanted to create a positive impact right here in our backyard. After deliberating upon many ideas, and thinking through what Miami lacked, we agreed to launch a project that would bring together all stakeholders in the tech ecosystem: entrepreneurs, investors, global tech/business executives, government officials and academia. After two years of exhaustive research and planning, we finally opened the doors to eMerge Americas in 2014.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I’ve been involved in Miami’s tech scene for two decades, but it wasn’t until 2011 that my father and I began to plan a way to grow Miami into a thriving global tech hub. Since then, our team has been dedicated to this transformation everyday. In 2014, we hosted our first annual global eMerge Americas conference, which connects the entire tech and entrepreneurial ecosystem, attracting the best and brightest from around the world to Miami, where they can launch, build, and successfully scale their ideas.

Ten years later, eMerge Americas attracts more than 20,000 attendees from over 45 countries. The event showcases a diverse lineup of speakers, live workshops, interactive exhibits, and product demonstrations centered on emerging technologies and entrepreneurial success stories. eMerge Americas has also expanded into a year-round platform, nurturing the South Florida innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem through new investor summits, startup pitch competitions, innovation challenges, hackathons and a world-class accelerator program.

I am particularly excited about this year’s eMerge Americas conference scheduled for April 18-19 as we celebrate 10 years of transformational work. We have curated an impressive experience, with the introduction of the AI Village. This new addition will showcase dozens of AI solutions providers, ranging from startups to cutting-edge global organizations. Additionally, we are proud to introduce the Health Innovation Hub Powered by Jackson Health System and the University of Miami Health System. This expansive hub will serve as a pivotal connection point for healthcare providers seeking the latest technological solutions, ultimately propelling the future of health technology forward in this rapidly growing industry.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
The best thing about living in Miami is our unparalleled access to stunning beaches right in our own backyard. One of my favorite spots is the Miami Beach Edition Hotel. It holds sentimental value as it is where my husband and I got married. We enjoy spending time there with our kids and enjoying the beach. The hotel even has a bowling alley and ice skating rink! For out-of-towners looking to get away from the city, I also recommend the Florida Keys. It’s an ideal destination to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of daily life without having to leave the state.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My shoutout goes to my family, particularly my parents, Manny and Lisette Medina, whose unwavering support has been instrumental in my career. My parents and grandparents made a life-changing sacrifice: to flee their country and come to the US without knowing the language, without a penny in their pockets. I can scarcely imagine the courage and fortitude this took. Their sacrifices granted me all of the opportunities in my life. I’ve drawn much inspiration from my parents, who have played a pivotal role in shaping who I am today. I am forever grateful to them.

Website: https://emergeamericas.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emergeamericas/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/emerge-americas/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/emergeamericas

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emergeamericas

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@eMergeAmericas

Image Credits
eMerge Americas