UGLY TALK: BUILDING AND SCALING TECH COMPANIES IN MIAMI

Miami isn’t just about sun and sand. It’s becoming one of the most exciting launchpads for tech. And while the energy is real, growing a startup here requires a different kind of playbook.

At Ugly Talk: Launching and Scaling Startups in Miami, you’ll hear from founders who’ve built high-growth companies in the Magic City—or moved their operations here to go bigger. They’ll share how they navigated the landscape, built momentum, and turned local dynamics into global opportunities.

🎯 Why You Should Attend
Hear battle-tested insights from founders who’ve actually built and scaled
Learn practical strategies you can use right away
Understand the unique factors shaping Miami’s startup ecosystem
Make valuable connections with early-stage founders and active investors
Join candid conversations you won’t find on LinkedIn or podcasts

🙋 Who You’ll Meet
Early-stage founders shaping the next wave of tech in South Florida
Angel investors and startup ecosystem leaders
Builders seeking co-founders and collaborators
Organizations fueling innovation in the Miami tech community

🎤 Who’s on the Panel

Nafis Azad – Co-Founder of Lucky (Acquired)

Nafis Azad is an entrepreneur and product leader building data-driven infrastructure for the future of AI. He co-founded Lucky, a commerce data platform bridging brands, retailers, and customers, which was acquired by SPINS (backed by Warburg Pincus & General Atlantic) in 2025. With experience spanning Fortune 500 enterprises to tech startups, Nafis thrives at the intersection of zero-to-one innovation and scalable product operations. Beyond his ventures, he mentors startups and serves nonprofit organizations, driven by a passion for empowering others to succeed.

Bogdan Savonea – Co-Founder & CEO of Blindspot

Guillermo Gonzalez Aleman – Founder & CEO of Litebox

Guillermo Gonzalez is the founder of Litebox.ai, a growth agency helping startups—especially in dev tools and high-tech—scale through branding, websites, and advanced growth strategies. Originally from Argentina and now based in Miami, he has over a decade of experience building products and guiding startups through fast-paced environments.

Moderator:

Anson Wu – Chief Strategy Officer at Ugly Talk

💬 What We’ll Talk About
How growing a startup in Miami compares to NYC or Silicon Valley
The challenges founders have navigated while scaling from this region
Strategic advantages unique to Miami-based companies
How to build teams, raise capital, and grow strong networks here
And yes—the real stories behind the scenes: pivots, pressure points, and the lessons that shaped the journey

🤝 Partner Brands

Blindspot – We’re the industry oddballs. We’re also the guys who turned a billboard into the #1 most popular Reddit post of all time.

🤝 Co-Hosted With

Mana Tech – At Mana Tech, our mission is to transform Miami into the ultimate hub for entrepreneurship across the Americas. From the heart of Downtown, Mana Tech is building the infrastructure of innovation that fuels this vision — connecting world-class entrepreneurs with capital, mentorship, and market access in a city positioned to lead the next era of hemispheric growth.

Miami Downtown Development Authority – Enhancing downtown Miami’s economic vitality through strategic initiatives.

🤝 Supported By:

GREY Journal – Media partner spotlighting modern entrepreneurs (Apple News + Google News)

🤝 Venue Partner

Mana Tech – At Mana Tech, our mission is to transform Miami into the ultimate hub for entrepreneurship across the Americas. From the heart of Downtown, Mana Tech is building the infrastructure of innovation that fuels this vision — connecting world-class entrepreneurs with capital, mentorship, and market access in a city positioned to lead the next era of hemispheric growth.

⭐ About Ugly Talk:
Started in 2019, Ugly Talk has been transforming business setbacks into breakthrough “aha!” moments by hosting unfiltered, no-nonsense events where battle-tested entrepreneurs share their raw lessons and insights.

With a growing presence in cities like New York, Chicago, San Francisco, and Miami, we’ve built a vibrant community of thousands of founders and industry leaders making a profound impact on the entrepreneurial landscape.

Official Website: UglyTalk.com