Key Executives is pleased to announce The Top 25 Tech CEOs of Miami for 2024. Miami has quickly become one of the fastest-growing tech hubs in the U.S., driven by the relocation of major companies like Oracle, Palantir, and Hewlett Packard Enterprise. The city’s growth is also supported by a favorable business environment, including a 4.5% reduction in utility costs compared to the rest of the country and one of the lowest tax burdens in the U.S.
With a thriving community of tech leaders across industries such as e-commerce, digital transformation, cybersecurity, and immersive media, Miami continues to emerge as a global destination for innovation. The CEOs on this list are at the forefront of driving Miami’s tech evolution, shaping the future of industries ranging from gaming and virtual reality to cloud solutions and digital healthcare.
Among this year’s awardees, Phil Frost, CEO of OPKO Health, is recognized for his leadership in biopharmaceuticals and diagnostics, driving the development of innovative treatments and technologies in the healthcare sector. John Prince, CEO of HotelPlanner, stands out for his expertise in e-commerce and travel technology, leading the platform’s growth by integrating advanced booking and payment solutions for travelers and businesses. Meanwhile, Matias Rivera, CEO of Fz Sports, is acknowledged for his innovation in sports media and technology, using cutting-edge tools to revolutionize the Latin American sports industry through immersive gaming and tech-driven fan experiences.
This year’s awardees were selected through a methodical process and careful consideration of each candidate’s career track record and industry contributions. Please join us in celebrating The Top 25 Tech CEOs of Miami for 2024.
1. Phil Frost
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, OPKO Health
Dr. Phil Frost is the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of OPKO, a multinational biopharmaceutical and diagnostics company. Since March 2007, he has led the company in its efforts to establish a strong presence in growing markets through its focus on discovery, development, and commercialization, utilizing proprietary technologies.
Before joining OPKO, Dr. Frost served as Chairman of the Board and Vice Chairman of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries. He was also Chairman and CEO of IVAX Corporation from 1987 until its acquisition by Teva in 2006. Dr. Frost has held leadership roles in several other companies, including Chairman of Key Pharmaceuticals, Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services, and director positions at Continucare Corporation and Castle Brands.
Additionally, he served as a Governor and Co-Vice-Chairman of the American Stock Exchange. Dr. Frost is currently a director at Cocrystal Pharma, a biotechnology company focused on developing treatments for viral diseases.
Phil Frost's Insight
“What a wonderful country!!”
2. Eugene Mago
Chief Executive Officer, Careerist
Eugene Mago is the Chief Executive Officer of Careerist. As CEO, he led the integration of artificial intelligence into core business operations, resulting in a 50% reduction in team size while improving sales department efficiency by 60%. Eugene also optimized the Job Application Service (JAS) program, streamlining the process of receiving offers from employers and delivering promising results in client testing.
Eugene aims to foster a corporate culture that encourages initiative and empowers employees to bring forward their ideas. Looking forward, Eugene is focused on expanding Careerist’s course offerings to ensure that aspiring tech professionals have access to personalized learning paths and flexible payment options tailored to their goals.
3. Sebastien Baril
Chief Executive Officer, President of the Executive Board, Serge Ferrari
Sebastien Baril is the Chief Executive Officer and President of the Executive Board at Serge Ferrari. An engineer by training, he has used his technical expertise and strategic vision to strengthen the company’s position globally. Since taking on leadership in 2022, Sebastien has focused on advancing innovation and sustainable practices, particularly in the area of composite textile solutions.
Under his leadership, Serge Ferrari has worked to integrate the principles of the circular economy and reduce its ecological footprint. With extensive experience in the industry, Sebastien is dedicated to leading a forward-thinking team committed to sustainability and continuous improvement.
4. Tomas Giovanetti
Chief Executive Officer & Founder, TGA Entertainment
Tomás Giovanetti is the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of TGA, a startup dedicated to transforming education through game-based learning solutions. TGA uses gaming to create engaging and impactful learning experiences for organizations and NGOs in seven countries. The company's debut project, You Deserve, became a global best-seller, raising awareness about bullying and its consequences.
5. Ignacio Basso
Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Seeds
Ignacio Basso is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Seeds, a platform that aims to optimize talent connections and foster innovation in the labor market in Latin America. Since its inception six years ago, the company has experienced significant growth, becoming a leader in talent transformation across the region. In 2023 and 2024, Seeds expanded its reach, doubling its Seeder network and strengthening its presence in key markets like Mexico, where it achieved a 150% increase in clients and a 315% growth in professionals using its platform.
Ignacio founded Seeds to revolutionize the way companies and professionals collaborate. Before founding Seeds, he worked at Aerolíneas Argentinas, where he gained valuable experience in financial planning and strategic operations. He holds a degree in industrial engineering from the Buenos Aires Institute of Technology (ITBA).
6. John Prince
Co-Founder and Co-Chief Executive Officer, Hotelplanner.Com
John Prince is the Co-Founder and Co-Chief Executive Officer of HotelPlanner, a leading hotel booking platform. In 2003, he co-founded HotelPlanner and served as the sole software developer during the early years. John is responsible for the product roadmap and all technology developed and deployed by the company. With over 20 years of experience, he has played a key role in shaping HotelPlanner into a top hotel booking platform.
John graduated from Northeastern University with a degree in computer science. Early in his career, he worked as a software engineer for IBM and Capital One. John is also a member of the Young Presidents' Organization (YPO).
7. Gennadiy Borisov
President & Co-Chief Executive Officer, Klika Tech
Gennadiy Borisov is the President and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Klika Tech, where he leads the company’s mission and strategy in providing IoT and Cloud-driven solutions to global clients. With more than 25 years of experience in global management, business development, operations, and product development, Gennadiy has successfully worked with Fortune 500 companies and startups across the U.S. and Europe, delivering impactful solutions in the technology and media industries.
Prior to co-founding Klika Tech, Gennadiy held senior management and technology roles at IMAX, MAXIM, VIACOM/MTV, Williams Communications, and Wave Systems. He began his career as a member of the Space Exploration and Research team at the National Technical University of Ukraine. Gennadiy holds a bachelor’s degree in applied science and technology from Thomas A. Edison College and a bachelor’s degree in computer science and technology from the National Technical University of Ukraine.
Gennadiy Borisov's Insight
“The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.” ― Marcus Aurelius, Meditations
8. Sneh Parmar
Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder, Lucky
Sneh Parmar is the Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Lucky, a retail technology company headquartered in Miami, Florida, with additional offices in New York City. Lucky enables brands that merchandise in major retailers such as Sephora, Nordstrom, Best Buy, and more to drive retail sales and measure marketing effectiveness through its proprietary inventory-driven solutions and purchase attribution technology.
Sneh began his career in venture capital, investing in companies specializing in machine learning, cybersecurity, and commerce. He later honed his expertise in marketing by working at an agency and launching consumer brands. Beyond Lucky, Sneh runs a product studio where he incubates companies and selectively invests. He holds a bachelor's degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta.
9. Samson Magid
Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, HealthSnap
Samson Magid is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of HealthSnap, a leading virtual care management solution for healthcare providers. After witnessing his grandfather's challenges with chronic conditions between 2012 and 2015, Samson chose to shift his focus from medical school to address gaps in the healthcare system. This decision led to the founding of HealthSnap, a platform focused on improving the management of chronic conditions through virtual care.
Magid was pivotal in the initial research and development that led to the commercialization of HealthSnap in 2015 and has since led the company in bringing care teams together with the power of integrated Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) and Chronic Care Management (CCM).
Over the last 6 years, under Samson's leadership, HealthSnap has partnered with over 150 health systems and has enrolled and managed more than 100,000 chronic patients across the country. Additionally, Samson has developed and successfully obtained three patents for HealthSnap’s virtual care management platform and grew the organization from a founding team to 500 full time employees.
Samson holds a bachelor’s degree in exercise physiology and a master’s degree in nutrition and human performance from the University of Miami.
10. Ale Resnik
Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Belong
Ale Resnik is the Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Belong, a residential network that vertically integrates all aspects of the home rental and home improvement process. Belong is focused on improving the rental housing experience by helping residents transition to homeownership and offering homeowners greater financial flexibility.
Resnik brings 19 years of experience to his current role. Before joining Belong, he was a founder in residence at Andreessen Horowitz and before that a Co-Founder and CEO at Beepi. Earlier in his career he worked with Ternium as an analyst.
Resnik graduated from Massachusetts Institute of Technology with an MBA in entrepreneurship and innovation and from Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires with a master’s degree and an undergraduate degree in industrial engineering and operations.
Ale Resnik's Insight
“I believe in the power of business and capitalism to reshape our reality and build the future because that's how I transformed my reality, by creating something people want. In 2024, no metro area in the Western world better represents these ideals than Miami.”
11. Alejandro Rivas-Micoud
Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Userlytics
Alejandro Rivas-Micoud is the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Userlytics Corporation, a leading user experience and usability testing platform with enterprise clients in 40 countries, and a panel of almost 2.5 million participants, operating since 2009.
Alejandro has founded, co-founded, acquired, and divested companies in Europe, the U.S., and Japan, working across the telecommunications, internet/SaaS, and marketing/social media sectors. Early in his career, he worked in the nuclear energy sector.
A San Francisco native and U.S. Navy veteran, Alejandro holds a degree in nuclear engineering and an MBA from INSEAD in Fontainebleau, France. He joined the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) in 2004 and the World Presidents Organization (WPO) in 2012.
12. Matias Rivera
Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, FZ Sports
Matias Rivera is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Fz Sports, a global sports media and technology company aimed at transforming the Latin American sports industry into a world-class ecosystem through innovative business models and the application of new technologies.
An entrepreneur with a focus on the intersection of technology and sports, Rivera has co-founded six organizations. He has led the development of products that have reached millions of clients across more than 100 countries, scaled companies from inception to over $60 million in annual revenue, and raised more than $100 million in capital.
In addition to his role at Fz Sports, Rivera has helped launch five other successful organizations: Start-Up Chile, Reforestemos Foundation, Jump Chile, Healyx Labs, and Green Atacama. He earned a degree in industrial and computer science engineering from Chile’s Catholic University, holds an MBA from Stanford University, and has furthered his studies at Harvard University and Singularity University.
Matias Rivera's Insight
"Miami has seen a fantastic rise in entrepreneurial energy and is rapidly becoming a hotbed of innovation and talent. Being part of this journey has been very exciting, and it's an honor to be selected as one of the top tech CEOs of Miami for 2024."
13. Jared Goetz
Chief Executive Officer & Founder, Zendrop
Jared is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of ZenDrop, an e-commerce platform that connects reliable suppliers with online merchants and dropshipping stores. Goetz has built multiple 7- and 8-figure businesses over the past decade.
Previously, Goetz was a Director of Field Marketing at Yik Yak. Earlier in his career he founded Electric Flurry. Goetz holds an undergraduate degree in economics from the University at Albany.
Jared Goetz's Insight
“Building a bootstrapped SaaS company may not be for the faint of heart, but it's beyond rewarding to see the team grow and continue to blossom into its fullest potential. The e-commerce space is vast and ever expanding, and we are excited to continue to help shape its future. Empowering entrepreneurs to start their own businesses using our platform has been incredible to witness, and we look forward to many more success stories.”
14. Luca Netz
Chief Executive Officer, Pudgy Penguins
Luca Schnetzler, also known as Luca Netz, is the Chief Executive Officer of Pudgy Penguins, a leading NFT brand that has expanded into physical products and real-world applications. Under Luca’s leadership, Pudgy Penguins has launched plush toys, children's books, and secured licensing deals with manufacturers like PMI Toys. His strategy revolves around leveraging the brand's intellectual property to offer holders commercial opportunities, helping to build long-term value and expand the brand’s reach beyond digital assets.
At 26 years old, Luca is a seasoned entrepreneur with a diverse background in tech, e-commerce, and Web3. He tested out of high school at 16 and began his career at Ring, where he gained expertise in direct-to-consumer sales. After a successful stint at Ring, Luca founded LGC, an e-commerce company, which he exited after six months. Luca then shifted his focus to brand creation, working with high-profile celebrities like will.i.am, Kendrick Lamar, YG, Lil Pump, 6ix9ine, Jake Paul, Logan Paul, The Hype House, and Jay Alvarez, building successful ventures in the entertainment industry.
Luca Netz's Insight
"Leading Pudgy Penguins has been an evolution in understanding that true leadership is about building trust and providing value to the community. It's not just about business growth, it's about knowing that every step I take can change someone's life for the better—whether it's through mentorship or creating opportunities."
15. Yehuda Niv
Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Spines
Yehuda Niv is the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Spines, a tech-driven book publishing platform designed to simplify and revolutionize the authorship process. Spines streamlines multiple aspects of publishing, from proofreading and formatting to cover design, distribution, and marketing. The platform enables authors to upload their manuscripts and see their books published, optimized, and available to readers worldwide within less than three weeks.
Before founding Spines, Yehuda founded Niv Publishing, a publishing house he created after recognizing the inefficiencies within the traditional publishing industry. Niv Publishing grew to become the largest publishing house in Israel, publishing 15% of the new books in the country over the course of a decade.
16. Katy Carrigan
Chief Executive Officer, Goody
Katy Carrigan is the Chief Executive Officer of Goody, a company that provides a modern approach to sending personal and business gifts through text message. Goody’s platform, Goody for Business, helps companies streamline gifting for employee engagement, client appreciation, and sales prospecting. With integrations across 30 HR platforms, Goody enables businesses to automate gifting for employee birthdays and work anniversaries.
Carrigan brings 14 years of experience to her current role and first got her start in 2010 as a sales associate at Natures Closet. From there, she went on to Laserfiche, before eventually rising to head of SMB and consumer sales assist at Dropbox, her most recent position prior to joining Goody. Carrigan graduated from Williams College with an undergraduate degree in history.
Katy Carrigan's Insight
“I’m incredibly honored to be recognized as a Top 25 Tech CEO of Miami for 2024. Leading Goody has been an extraordinary journey—one that has taught me the value of staying agile, customer-obsessed, and focused on building an incredible team. This recognition is a reflection of the amazing people I get to work with every day and our shared commitment to creating something truly special. Thank you for this acknowledgment; it’s a privilege to be part of such an inspiring community of leaders.”
17. Troy Jones
Co-Founder, Chief Executive Officer, StatusPRO
Troy Jones is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of StatusPRO, an immersive entertainment and technology company that uses advanced spatial computing to develop innovative first-person experiences in gaming, media, and sports training.
A tech leader with expertise in gaming and sports, Jones has raised over $35 million in funding from venture capital groups like Google Ventures, Greycroft, and Verizon Ventures, as well as prominent athletes and entertainers such as LeBron James, Beyoncé, Drake, Naomi Osaka, and Jimmy Iovine.
Jones has also secured partnerships with NFL Ownership Groups, including the San Francisco 49ers, Minnesota Vikings, and Cleveland Browns. He has led negotiations with major organizations such as Disney/ESPN, Meta, Sony, the NFL, and the NBA. Under his leadership, StatusPRO has become a leading VR studio, with its game, NFL PRO ERA, becoming the fastest-selling sports title in VR history, reaching over 1.3 million users. StatusPRO also became the first company outside of Electronic Arts (Madden) to receive an NFL license in 18 years.
Troy Jones's Insight
“I look at it as a privilege to lead our organization toward the vision that my co-founder and I have had since we started this company. This role is about serving, putting your team in the best position to be successful. When your colleagues see that, feel that, it creates alignment within the organization and that leads to innovation and a company that people are excited to be a part of”
18. Ania Rodriguez
Chief Executive Officer and Founder, JourneyTrack
Ania Rodriguez is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of JourneyTrack, a customer journey management platform that helps businesses improve their customer experiences. As an accomplished entrepreneur, she focuses on developing innovative solutions that bridge the gap between business and technology.
With over 25 years of experience advising Fortune 500 companies on Customer Experience (CX) strategy, User Experience (UX) research and design, and product innovation, Ania has successfully launched and scaled two companies, JourneyTrack and Key Lime Interactive, across multiple industries. Known for her strategic vision and leadership, she excels in building high-impact teams and leveraging cutting-edge technologies to drive growth and enhance customer experiences.
Ania holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Carnegie Mellon and a master’s degree in industrial engineering with a concentration in human factors from the University of Miami.
19. Juan Montoya
Chief Executive Officer, Rokk3r
Juan Montoya is the Chief Executive Officer of Rokk3r, a premier venture builder and corporate innovation partner headquartered in Miami. With a career spanning entrepreneurship, investment, and innovation, Juan has led Rokk3r to transform how businesses adapt and grow in an increasingly digital world. Under his leadership, Rokk3r has supported startups and established companies in adopting new technologies to drive growth and achieve long-term results.
In addition to his leadership at Rokk3r, Juan is an expert contributor to Mexico Business News, where he shares insights on business strategy and innovation trends. He also serves on the Board of Advisers for the University of South Florida's Digital Marketing Certificate Program and Barry University's DX Lab, furthering his commitment to fostering education and digital transformation.
20. Anibal Madrid
Chief Executive Officer and Founder, SoyMomo
Anibal Madrid is the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of SoyMomo, an international technology company specializing in the development of electronic devices for children. The company's mission is to create safe technology that addresses children's needs while considering parents' concerns, making technology both secure and an enjoyable tool for kids.
Madrid brings 11 years of experience to his current role and first got his start in 2013 as a founder at Hackers @ Beauchef, before eventually rising to CEO at Sosmart Labs, his most recent position prior to joining SoyMomo. Madrid graduated from the Universidad de Chile with an undergraduate degree in electrical engineering, automatic control, robotics, and artificial intelligence.
Anibal Madrid's Insight
“Leading SoyMomo has been an incredibly rewarding journey. While bringing innovative hardware solutions to life is never without its challenges, knowing that our products help ensure children’s safety and peace of mind for families worldwide makes every effort worthwhile. Our mission is rooted in empowering parents and providing kids with trusted, reliable technology—this is what truly inspires and fulfills my work each day.”
21. Jacob Thankachen
Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, CybrHawk
Jacob Thankachen is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of CybrHawk, a cybersecurity firm founded in 2018. With over two decades of industry experience, Jacob has developed a deep expertise in cybersecurity, focusing on providing businesses and individuals with effective security solutions.
Before founding CybrHawk, Jacob served as Vice President at Cyberoam (a Sophos company), where he led channel sales strategies and managed the Americas go-to-market business, contributing significantly to the company’s growth. Jacob has also held roles at major companies such as WatchGuard, Tipping Point, Nortel, and Netgear. His commitment to cybersecurity and customer success drives his work, as he helps clients navigate complex cyber challenges and safeguard their valuable assets.
22. Anabel Perez
Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer, NovoPayment
Anabel Perez is the Chief Executive Officer of NovoPayment, a Banking as a Service (BaaS) platform that enables digital financial and transactional services to support various use cases. With over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry, Perez is an accomplished entrepreneur and former banking executive. Since co-founding NovoPayment in 2007, she has guided the company’s growth into a prominent provider in the BaaS market.
Previously, Perez was an SVP in retail banking at Venezolano de Crédito. Perez earned a degree in law from Universidad Católica Andrés Bello and an undergraduate degree in marketing management from IESA.
23. Susana Vitale
Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Newtech
Susana Vitale is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Newtech, a company that helps organizations navigate digital transformation and technology adoption by simplifying communication and collaboration solutions. Founded 22 years ago, Newtech has evolved from its origins in 1989, when it launched the first videoconference service in Latin America. Today, the company focuses on transforming traditional channels into more agile and efficient systems, with a particular emphasis on designing and deploying Microsoft Teams Rooms (MTR) to enhance productivity and efficiency across various industries.
Vitale brings 37 years of experience to her current role. Before joining Newtech, she was a Co-Founder at Colaboracion Virtual Argentina and before that a President at Digisoft. Earlier in her career she worked with Keytech S.A. as a director. Vitale holds a bachelor’s degree in international relations and completed a Senior Management Program at the IAE Business School. She recently graduated from Harvard’s Owner/President Management (OPM) Program.
24. Patricia Montesi
Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Qolo
Patricia Montesi is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Qolo, a company focused on simplifying payments globally. Qolo offers an all-in-one card issuing, ledger, and payments platform that enables customers to launch innovative financial products, centralize payment infrastructures, and gain real-time visibility into their payment solutions. The platform also helps reduce time to market and lower the total cost of ownership for businesses.
Montesi is an accomplished business executive with more than 20 years of global management experience across a diverse set of industries. Over the course of her career she has transformed and scaled complex businesses from Fortune 100 companies to startups in roles that included sales and marketing as well as operations and technology.
Prior to Qolo, Montesi spent 15 years in executive roles across all sectors of the payments industry leading teams to industry firsts and deploying technology solutions for clients. Montesi holds a BBA in finance from the University of Miami, an MBA in accounting from Nova Southeastern University, and a certificate in strategic leadership from Columbia Business School.
25. Nadejda Papernaia
Chief Executive Officer, AB Handshake
Nadejda Papernaia is the Chief Executive Officer of AB Handshake, a global provider of automated fraud prevention solutions for voice and SMS traffic. The company specializes in using machine learning and real-time validation technology to help eradicate all types of voice and SMS fraud. AB Handshake serves a wide range of clients, including mobile operators, wholesalers, regulators, and businesses, offering tailored anti-fraud strategies for these communication channels.
Papernaia has over 20 years of experience in general management, sales, marketing, and business development. She has a strong background in founding and managing technology and telecom companies with significant financial scale. Papernaia holds a master's degree in physics from Peter the Great St.Petersburg Polytechnic University.