Startup Weekend Orlando 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 for an exclusive event leading up to Startup Weekend Spring 2025—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 Credo Conduit. 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:

Jehue Francois - Startup Director

Recent newcomer to Orlando from Boston, Jehue Francois is a 5x founder with over 17 yrs of experience in creating, launching and advising startups. Currently he serves in the role of Startup Director for BOT (Black Orlando Tech) where he uses his hybrid venture studio's ( KoFound) dynamic framework to power accelerators and other teachings. Leaning into his history from science to entertainment, Jehue is able to aid founders in "building worlds" through quick and decisive experiments. His sole focus is to help founders validate their business models, create concise, and inspiring narratives around their ventures enabling them to transition from founders to CEOs while garnering investment as a "byproduct".

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.