eMerge Americas Announces Major Investment From Orkila Capital, Manuel D. Medina And Other Strategic Investors

MIAMI, April 1, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- eMerge Americas, a B2B technology and innovation conference connecting companies with business and government leaders from North America, Latin America and Europe, today announced it has secured a major investment round led by Orkila Capital, a leading media growth equity firm based in New York, and the event's founder, Manuel D. Medina.  The highly anticipated third edition of eMerge Americas will be held at the Miami Beach Convention Center April 18 and 19.

Orkila Capital, a growth equity investment firm with deep investment experience in the media, entertainment and live event sectors, and eMerge Americas' founder and chairman Manuel D. Medina are joined in the strategic investment round by an impressive group of notable Florida leading figures, including Armando Christian Perez, Alex Rodriguez, Mike Fernandez, Brian Ballard, and Bob Dickinson.  Additionally, Frank Anton, Vice Chairman and ex-CEO of trade show industry leader Hanley-Wood, has joined the Board of eMerge Americas.

"eMerge Americas has experienced amazing growth over its first three years, based on the compelling value the event provides for attendees, sponsors, media partners and its community stakeholders," said Jesse Du Bey, Managing Partner of Orkila Capital. "We are big believers in the value of iconic events and are confident that eMerge Americas will continue to strengthen its position as the must-attend technology event that links the Latin American, North American and European technology markets.  We look forward to working together with Manny, Frank and the eMerge leadership team to grow the event in the years to come."

eMerge Americas will use this investment round to continue building the event's size, content scope and brand as it continues to grow. In April, the event will once again feature its Startup Showcase, Women Innovation & Technology Summit and eGov – Government Innovation Summit, with additional programming tracks planned for future years. 

"When I founded the Technology Foundation of the Americas, it began with the idea of advancing the technology ecosystem in Miami and eMerge Americas was the first initiative in that effort," said Manny Medina. "The event has surpassed our expectations in all aspects, and by securing this investment and transitioning it to a private entity we're able to optimize its long-term success, invest in the future of Technology Foundation of the Americas and allow both organizations to focus on their key goals. By combining our powerful partnerships with organizations like NBCUniversal, the Knight Foundation and Miami-Dade County with the expertise and experience of a firm like Orkila, we will be able to take eMerge Americas to all new heights."

"eMerge Americas is a pillar of the innovation ecosystem that we, along with many others, are working so hard to build in Miami," said Matt Haggman, Miami program director at Knight Foundation. "We are proud to have been a founding partner, and even prouder that it has become independently successful in such a short time. eMerge Americas is now poised for enormous growth for years to come, and that will deliver benefits across Miami's rapidly growing technology and startup community."

For more information visit www.emergeamericas.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. 

About eMerge Americas

eMerge Americas serves as the preeminent B2B technology event of the Americas. The event serves to connect industry and government leaders across Latin America, North America and Europe. eMerge's founding partners include: Knight Foundation, Miami-Dade County, Medina Capital, Greenberg Traurig and Miami Herald.  For more information, please visit: www.emergeamericas.org.

About Orkila Capital

Orkila Capital is a growth equity firm focused on the media and consumer sectors and based in New York.  Orkila was founded in 2013 by Jesse Du Bey, a former Managing Director at Providence Equity Partners, and has deep experience in the media, live event, entertainment and consumer sectors.  Recent investments led by Orkila (or its affiliates) include Recognition Media (owner of The Webby Awards, the internet's highest honor), Crash Line Productions (owner of leading music festivals including Boston Calling and Eaux Claires Music & Arts Festival) and Bellator MMA (sold to Viacom).    

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SOURCE eMerge Americas