Veteran Business Summit
ThuRsday, May 9, 2024 | 1:00 PM
GuideWell innovation center - Orlando, FL
Our Biggest Summit Yet
The Veterans Business Summit, an initiative by the Veterans Entrepreneurship Initiative (VEI), provides the military veteran business community with a platform to educate, empower and support early-stage, veteran-led companies with innovative products and services. The Summit will kick off on Thursday, May 9, 2024 at the GuideWell Innovation Center in Lake Nona, Orlando, FL.
The Veteran Business Summit convenes veteran business owners and leaders from across the region with the goal of fostering innovation and collaboration amongst the military veteran business community to further empower veterans in entrepreneurship.
Become Empowered
- Learn from other successful veteran business owners, sharing a blend of perspectives on the most important issues facing them today.
- Learn and connect with organizations specialized in providing access to capital.
Be Inspired
- Take away new ideas to help you or your organization grow, and be inspired to put those ideas into practice.
- Meet and learn from other successful stories.
Get Connected
- Connect with other successful veteran business owners and executives.
- Meet decision-makers, leaders, entrepreneurs, resource partners and expand your network.
Our Speakers
Buddy Dyer
Mayor
City of Orlando
Jerry Demings
Mayor
Orange County
Dr. Theresa Larson
Keynote Speaker
Founder
Movement Rx
(Marine Corps Veteran)
Adler Archer, JD, MS
Managing Director,
Inclusive Innovation Initiative
Associate Research Scientist, Biomedical Engineering
Johns Hopkins University
(Air Force Veteran)
Carlos Navarro
Actor
Radio Personality
Ricardo Garcia
Co-Founder
Veterans Entrepreneurship Initiative (VEI)
(Air Force Veteran)
Rafael Caamaño
Co-Founder
Veterans Entrepreneurship Initiative (VEI)
(Army Veteran)
Carol Ann Logue
Director, Central Florida Tech Grove
Director, Programs & Operations
Innovation Districs & Incubation Program
University of Central Florida
Kyle Evans
Founder & CEO
REDCON Solutions Group
(Army Veteran)
Cliff Ingari
President & CEO
STS Federal
(Air Force Veteran)
Eric “Doc” Wright, PhD
Founder
Vets2PM
(Navy Veteran)
Dennis Holste
Economic Development Administrator
Orange County
Government
Amy Beaird, PhD
Innovation Ecosystem Builder
President
Amy Beaird Consulting
Dawn Ofodile
Regional Community Engagement Manager
VyStar Credit Union
Esteban Saldarriaga
Economic Development
Business Marketing Manager
Seminole County Government
Jason Brodeur
Senator
Florida Senate
David Smith
Member
Florida House of Representatives
(Col, USMC, Ret.)
Crystal Bethea
CEO
C3 Wellness Spa
(Army Veteran)
Willie Johnson
VP, Strategic Sourcing and Economic Development
VyStar Credit Union
(Marine Corps Veteran)
Karla Ray
Anchor & Reporter
WFTV.com
Summit Highlights
01
VEI’s Great Unveiling
Prepare to witness the future of innovation as VEI unveils a transformative initiative at the summit.
02
Veteran Success Panel
Veteran leaders from established veteran-led companies share insight into their entrepreneurial journey.
03
Keynote Speaker
An inspiring keynote from a fellow veteran, highlighting the link between a leader's health and business success.
04
Innovation Ecosystem Panel
Unlock Central Florida’s innovation powerhouse. Strategies to tap into and navigate Central Florida's vibrant innovation ecosystem.
05
Networking Reception
The culmination of the summit, connect with other successful veteran business owners and community leaders.
Veteran Business Summit
WHEN:
Thursday, May 9, 2024
Starts at 1:00 PM
WHERE:
GuideWell Innovation Center
6555 Sanger Rd, Orlando, FL 32827
CONTACT:
Ricardo Garcia
Co-Founder & Director of Programs
Ricardo@vei.center
See you at
the summit!
©2023 By Veterans Entrepreneurship Initiative