Melissa Medina is a Partner at Medina Ventures, an early-stage venture fund investing in dual-use deep technologies across artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and next-generation cybersecurity critical to U.S. competitiveness and national security. At the firm, she leads deal sourcing and founder engagement, leveraging a proprietary global network of more than 2,000 founders and long-standing partnerships across government, academia, and industry to identify and support high-conviction early-stage investments.

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In parallel, Melissa is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of eMerge Americas, one of the most influential technology and innovation platforms in the Western Hemisphere. Founded in 2014, eMerge Americas has played a central role in shaping South Florida into a globally recognized technology hub, convening entrepreneurs, investors, government leaders, researchers, and enterprise partners from more than 60 countries.

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Under her leadership, eMerge has evolved from an annual conference into a year-round innovation platform that includes executive summits, accelerator programs, innovation challenges, venture reports, and strategic ecosystem initiatives. Through these efforts, eMerge has supported more than 1,100 startups that have collectively raised over $3 billion in capital, created more than 10,000 high-wage jobs, and generated an estimated $2.6 billion in economic impact for the state of Florida.

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This ecosystem-level vantage point gives Melissa a differentiated edge as an early-stage investor—providing early visibility into emerging technical talent, founder trajectories, and market inflection points, as well as the ability to help portfolio companies secure strategic customers, partners, and non-dilutive opportunities.

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Prior to eMerge Americas, Melissa spent a decade at Terremark Worldwide, a global cloud infrastructure company serving enterprise and government customers. As a member of the finance team, she supported revenue analysis, audit implementation, and enterprise growth initiatives. Terremark was acquired by Verizon in 2011 for $2 billion.

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Melissa is a member of Florida Council 100 and has been repeatedly recognized by the South Florida Business Journal as a Power Leader in Technology and an Ultimate CEO. Her honors include Florida International University’s Woman of Distinction Award, designation as a Top 100 Latina Powerhouse by HOLA!, the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce “Difference Maker” HYPE Award, and the State of Florida’s Pace-Setting Woman recognition. She has also been named one of the most influential women in philanthropy by Ocean Drive Magazine.

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She currently serves on the Board of Trustees of The Miami Foundation and on the Leadership Council of the FIU Lillian Lodge Kopenhaver Center for the Advancement of Women in Communication.

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Melissa graduated magna cum laude from the University of Florida, earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Master’s in International Business, and completed graduate studies at ESADE Business School in Barcelona.

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A Miami native, Melissa is deeply committed to building enduring innovation ecosystems and backing founders building technologies that matter. She is also a devoted mother of five, which she considers her most important role.