The Launch Pad

Angels & Unicorns: Opportunity Awaits! Investing and Growing During Turbulent Times
2020-10-20 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | FL
Click here to register for free.
Whether you’re an investor searching for new opportunities or an entrepreneur looking to grow your business, our panel will share insights and best practices on getting started, finding deals, and optimizing your ROI.

Featuring

Larry Kruguer
Melissa Krinzman
Samson Magid

Larry Kruguer, M.B.A. ’92, B.B.A. ’87
Founder, KR Ventures
Partner, SoFie, LLC
Partner, Floresta Franchise Consulting
Larry’s 30-year professional career has focused on global opportunities across Consumer Service related businesses. He has held senior leadership roles in early-stage start-ups, early IPO entities, and established Fortune 100 companies with functional oversight of Marketing, Sales, Business Development, Strategy, Operations, and International across a wide variety of industries: Food & Beverage, Retail Franchising, Sports Media, Travel/Entertainment, Financial Services, and Internet-Technology.
He has recently moved back to Miami where he established KR ventures as an investment vehicle focused on new opportunities and early-stage ventures in consumer services. He is currently involved as a partner at SoFie LLC (www.gosofie.com) which is focused as an incubator/investor in early-stage technology ventures and as a partner with Floresta Franchise Consulting (www.Florestapartners.com) which is focused in the franchising and retail F&B sector.
Until March of this year, Larry served as Chief Operating Officer and EVP for Wingstop Inc., where he led the Company’s global operations, supply chain, training support, and international business initiatives. He participated in the company’s successful IPO (NASDAQ: WING) in June 2015, and initially focused his attention as President of International where he contributed to overseas expansion to five continents and thirteen countries. He helped grow unit count 5X during his tenure and was appointed in the broader role of Chief Operating Officer in January 2018. In this role, he led efforts in menu innovation, 4-wall productivity, field organization support/alignment, roll-out of Delivery across the global system, and doubling system unit count during his ~ 5 years. He stepped down from his role in March 2020 to pursue personal entrepreneurial efforts. Prior to Wingstop, Larry served as Vice President, International Joint Ventures and Key Markets at Wendy’s International, culminating an eight-year career where he led overseas efforts in Marketing, Business Development, Real Estate/Site Development and Finance, including involvement in the Arby’s brand when both companies merged for a period of time. Prior to the F&B industry, he held a number of senior roles across a range of industries:

Melissa Krinzman
Member, Steering Committee, ’Cane Angel Network
Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Krillion Ventures, LLC
Melissa Krinzman is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Krillion Ventures, a Miami-based venture capital fund that invests in seed-stage technology companies solving problems in Health & Wellness, PropTech, and FinTech. Previously, Melissa was the Founder and CEO of Venture Architects, a business planning firm based in New York City that, for 20 years, positioned early and growth-stage companies for success in the capital-raising process.
An expert in the field of entrepreneurship, Melissa has a 25-year history of launching, growing, and advising private companies and nonprofit organizations. She has worked with over 1,000 companies that have raised more than $1B in investment capital using business plans developed by Venture Architects. Additionally, Melissa is a sought-after speaker and advisor on business planning and capital raising, and has judged business plan competitions across the country.
Melissa began her career as a member of the start-up teams for three prominent, national nonprofit organizations which included The Points of Light Foundations, formed under the first Bush Administration as a national nonpartisan organization dedicated to engaging people and resources in solving critical social problems through voluntary service; the Peter F. Drucker Foundation for Nonprofit Management, and organization created in partnership with Peter Drucker to lead social sector organizations toward excellence in performance; and Do Something, an organization with the goal of motivating young people to make a real-world impact on a cause they care about.
Melissa holds s B.B. from Tufts University. She is a founding board member of Beacon College Prep, a tuition-free nonprofit charter school designed to close the achievement gap facing low–income students. Melissa also serves a a board member and advisor for many of Krillion Ventures’ portfolio companies.
Samson Magid, M.S.E.D. ’15, B.S.E.D ’14
Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, HealthSnap, Inc.
Samson runs HealthSnap and is focused on transforming patient care from reactive “sick-care” to proactive and “always-on” healthcare. He was pivotal in the initial research and development that led to the commercialization of HealthSnap.
Samson graduated from the University of Miami in 2014 Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Physiology then received a Master of Science degree in Nutrition and Human Performance in 2015

Moderated by
Jeff Camp
Managing Director, ’Cane Angel Network
Mr. Camp is an accomplished finance professional with over 30 years of investment experience. Jeff started his career as an investment analyst and rose to Managing Director at Morgan Stanley where he was the #1 ranked analyst by Institutional Investor for his work on Internet Infrastructure Services companies. After leaving Morgan Stanley, he joined Andor Capital, a $9.5BN long-short equity hedge fund, as its CEO for Andor Europe. He later co-founded Partner Fund Management, a $4.1BN hedge fund, and more recently founded and manages JC Venture Capital LLC, a family office that invests in early-stage companies. Mr. Camp graduated from The University of Michigan with a BA in Economics and Japanese.
Click here to register for free.

The Five Essentials of Starting your Business
2020-10-20 12:00 - 2020-12-01 13:00 | FL
Register Here

Veterans Florida 2020 Expo
2020-06-05 08:00 - 2020-06-06 17:00 | The Hilton Orlando, 6001 Destination Pkwy, Orlando, Florida, 32819, United States
Part career fair, part entrepreneur pitch competition, part benefits exhibition, the Veterans Florida Expo offers everything that veterans and their families need to know about working and living in Florida.

Techstars Global Online Startup Weekend
2020-04-24 - 2020-04-26 | FL
For the first time in history, the entire world is focused on the same problem at the same moment. As we each figure out how to navigate new challenges and uncertainties, we want to share a great opportunity to work together, connect and take action — to disrupt the disruptions of COVID-19.
We at StartUP FIU are happy to support this first-of-its-kind Techstars Global Online Startup Weekend happening on April 24-26. Come together with developers, designers, marketers, nurses, doctors, students, scientists, teachers and anyone with an idea and passion to tackle the many challenges created by this global pandemic. This is your chance to join forces with thousands of people from dozens of countries and truly make a difference.
If you’ve ever been to a Techstars Startup Weekend, you know it’s one of the most thrilling 54 hours you can imagine. You experience the highs, lows, fun, and pressures that make up life at a startup. As you work, you’ll meet the very best mentors, investors and sponsors — all who are ready to help you refine your idea.
StartUP FIU is here to help!
We will be providing a space via Discord in order to offer support for you and your team. Visit our channel StartUPFIUSWCrew at the link!

'Canes Supporting 'Canes - SBA Emergency Funding Intro
2020-04-15 17:00 - 18:00 | FL
Please click here to register.
UM Alumna Althea Harris, J.D. ’03, will be walking us through The Economic Injury Disaster Loan and Paycheck Protection Program created by the CARES Act. If you have any questions about the SBA Emergency Funding program before hand, please email us.
Moderated by Brian Breslin of The Launch Pad.

Makerpad Webinar - No Code Tools Intro
2020-04-10 10:00 - 11:00 | FL
No-code tools and platforms are becoming a vital tool in the armour of the founder community. They can help you get more out of your operational setup, prove out your ideas at a low cost, and even build an entire software service without needing to hire a full stack engineering team.
In this webinar we will dive into the foundations of no-code. What tools and platforms are leading the charge and how you can get them most out of them as founders and builders.
We will cover –
– How to set-up and sell products and services online
– How to prototype your idea in a week.
– Build and capture your growth with automations and landing pages.
The program will start with a presentation and then open up to a Q&A session so please bring your questions so we can help you in real-time.

HERImpact Miami Pitch Competition Finals
2020-03-24 18:00 | Idea Center at Miami-Dade College, 315 N.E. Second Ave, Building 8, 5th Floor, Miami, 33132, United States
Miami, F.L. enjoys a tremendous history of innovation. We connect, engage, and accelerate women-run social impact ventures. HI – HERImpact Miami is part of a national effort powered by the Ford Motor Company Fund and 1863 Ventures. Accelerating the New Majority since 2018.

Small Business Expo 2020
2020-03-19 10:00 - 17:30 | James L. Knight Center, 400 SE Second Ave Riverfront Hall, Miami, FL, 33131, United States
Small Business Expo is America’s BIGGEST & most anticipated business-to-business networking & educational event, trade show & conference for business owners, entrepreneurs, start-ups, decision-makers or anyone who works for a small business or is interested in starting a Small Business.
Small Business Expo is a FREE one-day event to attend for small businesses to network, attend great business-growth workshops, build new business relationships, exchange ideas, shop from new vendors and learn from leading industry experts. If you are serious about starting or growing your business, Small Business Expo is a “MUST ATTEND” event for you. Hosted in major cities across the Country, Small Business Expo is the #1 Business to Business Networking Event dedicated to helping Small Business Owners take their business to the next level.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/small-business-expo-2020-miami-registration-89481133479

Miami Speed Coaching Event for Entrepreneurs
2020-03-12 18:00 - 20:30 | WeWork, 360 Northwest 27th Street, Miami, FL, United States
This is a chance for individuals looking to learn more about entrepreneurship to meet with Samuel Adams employees and local business experts on topics such as public relations, brand packaging, and marketing/design as well as to network and connect with fellow entrepreneurs. In the past, these events have been immensely valuable to attendees.

WiDS Miami 2020 - Women in Data Science
2020-03-09 08:30 - 18:30 | Watsco Center, 1245 Dauer Dr, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States
The Women in Data Science (WiDS) initiative aims to inspire and educate data scientists worldwide, regardless of gender, and to support women in the field.
WiDS Miami 2020 will take place on March 9th at the University of Miami’s Watsco Center.
​WiDS started as a conference at Stanford in November 2015. Now, WiDS includes a global conference, with approximately 150+ regional events worldwide; a datathon, encouraging participants to hone their skills using a social impact challenge; and a podcast, featuring leaders in the field talking about their work, their journeys, and lessons learned. ​This conference provides an opportunity to hear about the latest data science-related research in a number of domains, learn how leading-edge companies are leveraging data science for success, and connect with potential mentors, collaborators, and others in the field. All genders are invited to participate in the conference, which features exclusively female speakers.

SheMiami 2020
2020-03-05 16:00 - 2020-03-06 16:00 | WeWork Wynwood, 360 Northwest 27th Street, Miami, FL, 33127, United States
SheMiami is here to take you, your brand, business or career to the next level! Join us March 5-6, 2020! About this Event SheMiami is an annual event and powerhouse to celebrate, inspire and provide resources to women – makers, creators & innovators. From corporate, entrepreneurial women to anything in between, we’re changing the conversation around business, leadership, networking, social media, and life-work balance. Create: Deepen and share your knowledge through panel discussions, concurring sessions, and hands on workshops. Connect: Listen…

SEEDS Career and Leadership Lecture
2020-03-05 11:00 - 12:00 | RSMAS Campus – SLAB 103, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, FL, 33149, United States
Dr. Everette Joseph joined NCAR as director in 2019 from the
University at Albany, State University of New York, where he was
director of the Atmospheric Sciences Research Center. While at
Albany, Joseph co-led the New York State Mesonet for advanced
weather detection and the New York State Center of Excellence for
the Weather Enterprise. He has served as principal or co-principal
investigator in research grants from NSF, the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration, NASA, the Army High Performance
Computing Research Center, and other agencies. Joseph has been
a member of the Board on Atmospheric Sciences and Climate of
the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine
since 2014. He also is principal investigator for the NSF-sponsored
US-Taiwan Program for International Research and Education and
co-PI on the NOAA Aerosol and Ocean Science Expeditions, a
series of trans-Atlantic intensive observation campaigns to gain
an understanding of the impacts of long-range transport of aerosols over the tropical ocean.
Joseph – Career Talk

StartUp Roundtable
2020-03-03 12:00 - 14:00 | SkyLab, 1210 Stanford Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States

WordCamp Miami
2020-02-28 09:00 - 2020-03-01 17:00 | Florida International University 11200 SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33199, Miami, FL, 33199, United States
Great things in business are never done by one person. They’re done by a team of people. “🤼🏅⠀ 📢Calling all Bloggers, Designers, Web Developers, Authors, Marketers, Content Creators, Business Entrepreneurs, Non-profit Organizations and all other WordPress Enthusiasts …⠀
⠀
This is your opportunity to learn, level up and build your network!⠀
⠀
With 2 days of nonstop action-oriented workshops and sessions presented by experts in various fields, WordCamp Miami 2020 is the perfect conference to hone your skillset and step it up a notch.📝💡💻⠀
⠀
Currently, 💲the price of admission is the lowest that it will be, so now is the time to purchase a ticket for yourself and a friend

Venture Cafe Miami's #ThursdayGathering
2020-02-27 16:00 - 21:00 | Venture Cafe Miami, 1951 NW 7th Ave, Miami, FL, 33136, United States
Venture Café Miami’s #ThursdayGathering is the largest weekly gathering welcoming the innovation community in South Florida, convening over 40,000 people, collaborating with over 1,100 partners, and hosting over 1,500 free educational breakout sessions in just three years. We connect innovators to make things happen — every Thursday from 4:00 to 9:00pm. We are located at 1951 NW 7th Avenue, Miami, FL 33136, located in the Converge Miami building in Overtown. The #ThursdayGathering is always free and always open to the public — no need to RSVP, just come as you are! Entry, parking, beer, and wine* are complimentary to all.
Venture Café Miami is an independent, 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to building a more diverse, accessible, inclusive and connected innovation community. Uniquely positioned as an ecosystem builder, VCM designs high impact programming, partnerships, and initiatives that connect innovators with each other, as well as access opportunities to accelerate their growth and increase entrepreneur-led economic impact in the region.
Check out the weekly line up at www.venturecafemiami.org/calendar-2.

Travis Montaque (UM 14'), CEO of Holler.io Lecture
2020-02-21 18:30 - 20:30 | SkyLab, 1210 Stanford Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States
Re-humanizing Digital Communication / Building Empathy Back Online

STARTUP ROUNDTABLE
2020-02-11 12:00 - 13:45 | FL
Join us for our monthly startup roundtable: a free event to chat about ideas or entrepreneurship, meet other innovators, learn more about The Launch Pad, and enjoy a free lunch on us.

MVP Showcase - February Edition
2020-01-17 | SkyLab, 1210 Stanford Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States

Miami Innovation Adventure (Competition)
2019-10-23 | University of Miami – School of Business Storer Auditorium, 5250 University Dr. , Coral Gables, FL, 33146, US
More Info Here

MVP Showcase - Free Chick Fil A
2019-10-22 12:00 - 14:00 | FL

Startup Roundtable 10-15
2019-10-15 12:00 - 13:45 | FL

STARTUP ROUNDTABLE 9-19
2019-09-19 12:00 - 13:45 | SkyLab, 1210 Stanford Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States

Women’s International Showcase of Entrepreneurs
2019-09-06 08:00 - 17:00 | FL
More info here!

Fall Open House!
2019-08-22 11:00 - 14:00 | 1306 Stanford Drive Whitten University Center #1319, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States

TLP 10 Year Anniversary Celebration
2018-09-14 19:00 - 23:30 | FL
The Launch Pad at the University of Miami is celebrating its 10th year in operation. Recognizing all of the contributors to the success of the program and highlighting all of the of clients it has helped since its doors opened.
Join us as we reflect on the past decade and reveal the plans for the future! Food and drinks will be provided along with entertainment and limited edition gifts!
RSVP HERE
Night Life Brewing Company is owned and operated by UM Alum and TLP Client*

Test event
2018-08-24 08:00 - 17:00 | FL
This is a test of the event system.

Startup Roundtable
2018-04-17 12:45 - 13:45 | FL
The Tuesday Startup Roundtable is targeted to the people who are interested in the Startup world. Whether you are an entrepreneur, idea person, want to get involved with startups or just curious. During the event, we will discuss, startups, technology, other events and opportunities within the community. The Launch Pad offers no judgment or requirement to attend. Our goal is to bring like-minded individuals into the room and create an impact!

Meet a Startup - Emdora: Socially Responsible Activewear
2018-04-04 12:15 - 13:45 | 1306 Stanford Drive, #1319, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, US
The Launch Pad presents it’s Meet a Startup series. This series focuses on showcasing startups in various stages of their companies. The event takes place in a more intimate setting and the chat feels like a conversation. Guests share insight, struggles and the success of their companies. Come to The Launch Pad Wednesday to hear from the founder of Emdora! Featuring her story as well as a Q&A, it will be a lot of fun!
