Dorrie Papademetriou has always been passionate about two things: art and social change. After growing up in Toledo, Ohio, and earning her Bachelor of Fine Arts from Bowling Green State University, Dorrie moved to Boston to begin her creative design and art career. While raising her children and living abroad, she wrote and illustrated four children’s books, began working in community arts programs, and later served as curator of the Noyes Museum of Art of Stockton University. Always believing that art is transformative, Dorrie implemented arts programming for people in need at schools, assisted living centers, and rehabilitation centers. In 2016 Dorrie founded MudGirls Studios, a ceramic art studio that celebrates a love of clay, the creative process, and the chance for women to transform their own lives. MudGirls Studios’ goal is to assist chronically unemployed women through transitional employment. As an avid community activist and a leader in several diverse communities and non-profit efforts, Dorrie has served as President of Philoptochos (Friends of the Poor) at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, board member of Haven, Beat the Streets, member of Atlantic County Women’s Advisory Board, and a member of the Atlantic County Women’s Hall of Fame.

Venture | MudGirls Studios

MudGirls Studios is a creator of high-quality and functional ceramic art and architectural tiles made by the hands of women transitioning out of poverty and into lives of empowerment and self-sufficiency. Click here to learn more.

Gordon is a true Orlando Native. He graduated from Winter Park High school before continuing his education at The Florida State University, where he graduated with a BS degree in Economics. Additionally, he was a member of the first graduating class from FSU's School of Emergency Management's "Application of unmanned air systems within EMS" program and earned a certificate of competency in the field. Gordon began building and flying multi-rotor small unmanned aircraft (sUAS) in 2012 and has since been committed to their positive integration into society. Gordon founded Archer First Response Systems in January of 2014 with the intention of utilizing the athleticism and programmability of these aircraft to help prevent fatalities in time-sensitive emergencies with a core focus on Sudden Cardiac Arrest. Gordon invented the patent-pending method of sUAS deployment that ArcherFRS employs, enabling emergency first response delivery over 35 square miles with an average response time of 2.5 minutes. Gordon has been a leader in the Orlando Technology community since 2017 through his efforts and involvement in the launching of Orlando Tech and Beer. Gordon single-handedly spearheaded the establishment and Launch of Jacksonville Tech and Beer (JAXTAB) and was instrumental in the launch of Santa Monica Tech and Beer. Gordon has returned to Florida State University as a guest lecturer and will be speaking as a 30 under 30 at FSU in November. He has also presented at several events, including Girls in Aviation Day, Verizon's Operation Convergent Response, and many others on the topic of sUAS utilization. When Gordon isn't working on ArcherFRS, he can be found sailing with his family, flying drones for fun/videography, playing guitar, piano, and banjo, or playing golf.

Venture | Archer First Response

Archer First Response Systems is an arial drone software and management service that helps EMS personnel rapidly deploy lifesaving equipment from existing agency software to medical emergencies utilizing autonomous drones. Click here to learn more.

In pursuit of Keeya’s passion for using real estate investment as a means to achieve a more equitable quality of life for all Central Floridians, she has launched iheartgarages LLC. iheartgarages' mission is to connect home buyers to properties that provide both primary residences and income-generating opportunities through accessory dwelling units (ADUs) as a way to accelerate financial freedom and build wealth through affordable homeownership. Her recent work largely inspired this endeavor with the Urban Land Institute (of) Central Florida. Keeya is a real estate professional with more than 15 years of experience providing real estate market research and analysis, land acquisition feasibility studies, residential sales, and six years of small business operations. She holds an MBA from Indiana University and a BA (Economics) from Spelman College. Shortly after college graduation, Keeya joined the US Peace Corps, where she served as a Small Business volunteer in both Benin and Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast). In this role, she provided consulting and organized training for small businesses; and she raised funds and awareness for a regional Junior Achievement chapter.

Venture | Iheartgarages

Iheartgarages is an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) project management service that helps homeowners reduce their housing cost burdens by transforming underutilized spaces and garages into monthly rental income. Click here to learn more.

Sandra LaPlante is a Latina engineer in tech, an immigrant advocating for minorities, and an idealist. She believes everyone's mission is to make a difference in their own way. Sandra immigrated to the USA in search of the American dream when she was 17 years old. She told her parents she could make it on her own in America, but not in a third-world country like Peru. In Peru, it is almost impossible to work and go to school at the same time. After many jobs, she finished her bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineer & Management Systems at the University of Central Florida. Even before graduating, she got an offer from the most prominent technology firm in the world, Accenture. Her job relocated her to California, where she started consulting for tech companies all over Silicon Valley. It was then when she noticed the lack of diversity in tech - and overall STEM. So she went back to an old crazy idea while studying the most difficult subjects in Engineering School, an Uber type of platform for students who needed help right away. The catch would be that the tutors would be from LATAM, so that it can be affordable while breaking stereotypes about minorities in STEM. The mission is to open doors to non-traditional students like her, so STEM can be more diverse - starting at the educational level.

Venture | Papaya Tutoring

Papaya Tutoring is an online tutoring service that helps ESL students learn STEM concepts through personalized one-on-one and group classes taught in their first language. Click here to learn more.