In our excitement, we’ve expanded our agenda for the day of Standing InnOvation to support our entrepreneurs, showcase UF colleges, and salute our incredible innovators. Instead of one Event, we’re hosting a 3vent October 29.
Ready to hear from a powerhouse entrepreneur? UF Innovate | Tech Licensing’s annual Standing InnOvation event features keynote speaker Melissa Medina, co-founder, CEO, and president of eMerge Americas and a proud University of Florida alum. In her 2 p.m. session, “From Founder to Funder,” Wednesday, October 29, Melissa will bring bold insights, real-world experience, and the kind of energy that drives innovation.Don’t miss the chance to learn from one of the most dynamic leaders in the game.
The InnOvation Showcase allows each of UF’s 16 colleges and other units to present their latest, most-engaging technologies to guests at Standing InnOvation. Applicants go through a rigorous vetting process — in part to make sure their technologies are showtime ready and the intellectual property behind them protected.
The showcase runs from 4-5:30 concurrently with Standing InnOvation. Participants should arrive by 3:00 p.m. to check in, set up, and then exhibit their interactive invention until 5:30, when guests prepare for the awards ceremony at 5:45.
Anita Rao, program director of UF Innovate | Pathways, is organizing the colleges. If you have questions, please email UF Innovate | Pathways.
Get ready to applaud the creative minds at the University of Florida who are changing the world! Standing InnOvation is a special celebration that honors our innovators who have worked with us to turn their brilliant ideas into reality. It’s a fun night of networking, awards, and recognition, where we give a well-deserved shout-out to the people who are making a difference. We’re talking game-changers, trailblazers, and people who are passionate about using their talents to make the world a better place.
Join us for an evening of inspiration and excitement as we cheer on the innovators who are making it all happen!
We’ve provided some FAQ below. If you have a question we haven’t answered there, please ask us by emailing marketing@research.ufl.edu.
Print and place this parking pass on your dashboard.
You can find parking for the event in these lots:
Ah! We were hoping to keep something a surprise for you, but here’s the lowdown:
No, no but also yes. If you are an innovator who disclosed, licensed or optioned technologies or received an issued U.S. patent in FY25, you should accept an award, but we won’t make you come up on stage or give a speech to receive it. At a magical moment during the evening, we will invite you to pick up your award(s) on display in the lobby.
We will invite the one selected Innovator of the Year to the stage to speak and will bring the individuals or teams receiving an Invention of the Year award to the stage to receive an award, but the other recipients can stay on solid ground. (All of those special awardees already are aware they have won the award.)
Most of the event is intended for enjoying refreshments and each other in a lovely space. But if you’re an innovator who has worked with us in FY25, you won’t leave empty-handed.
We will stream the awards ceremony (5:45-6:15 pm) to televisions or big screen on the back patio during the live event for guests who might enjoy the fall breeze and less congestion.
Otherwise, we are not providing livestreaming to online guests because we’re trying to provide an equitable experience for all our guests, and video and in-person events are not created equal. (Livestreamers can’t taste the meatballs, for example.) You, however, can visit all areas and try our caterer’s fabulous fare. (It’s better than alliterative; it’s delicious!) We’ll have a take-home token too (more alliteration – and also delicious – and something online guests wouldn’t experience).
Pretty much, but you’ll select what and how much you’ll eat. We’ll have hearty appetizers from all over the world – a variety that will include some vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options for those with dietary restrictions. We’ll have a variety of beer and wine and non-alcoholic beverages as well. We might even have a cocktail (and mocktail) created just for the event.
You should receive an email reminder prior to the event, meant to remind you of the event and any last-minute instructions. You can save this web address to check back for information as well – such as updates on weather that could affect our event. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Sara Dagen, our fearless leader, at saradagen@ufl.edu or (352) 294-0998.
Melissa Medina has over 20 years of experience as an entrepreneur, operator, investor, community leader, and philanthropist. A native to Miami, Medina is co-founder, CEO & president of eMerge Americas with a mission to transform South Florida into a global tech hub.
The eMerge Americas signature event, launched in 2014, is a global tech conference and expo held annually at the Miami Beach Convention Center. With Melissa’s leadership, the eMerge Americas conference now attracts more than 20,000+ attendees from over 50 countries.
In addition to the annual conference, eMerge organizes year-round executive summits, innovation challenges, startup pitch competitions, masterclasses, webinars, and a world-class global accelerator program, as well as publishes venture activity and investment insights reports.
Melissa is also a Partner at Medina Ventures, an early-stage venture fund, as well as the President of the Medina Family Foundation, which has a mission to fund local initiatives that focus on mentoring children and empowering families.
Melissa was named by the South Florida Business Journal as one of the “2023 Power Leaders in Technology.” Melissa is also on the Board of The Miami Foundation, as well as Tech Equity Miami. Most importantly, Melissa is a mother and is most passionate about her five children.
From Founder to Funder with Melissa Medina will include three parts: her keynote, followed by a fireside chat during which our Ventures Director Jackson Streeter will interview Medina, followed by a Q&A from you, the audience.
You can park in grass lot (overflow parking) and in Opportunity Square.
2025 Melissa Medina Event Parking Map
If you’re also planning to attend Standing InnOvation and don’t mind a short walk, you might want to park where you will for that event and walk to and from the Melissa Medina event.
If so, then print and place this parking pass on your dashboard.
You can find parking for the event in these lots:
Yes. And water. Maybe cookies or pastries or another delight to make the afternoon extra sparkly and sweet.
The innovator videos we created for our 2020 virtual Standing InnOvation were so popular, we kept making them. Catch them all here.
Standing InnOvation 2025: Invention of the Year - Juan (JC) Roig
Standing InnOvation 2024: Invention of the Year - Fan Ren and Josephine Esquivel-Upshaw
Standing InnOvation 2024: Invention of the Year - Thomas Burris
Standing InnOvation 2024: Invention of the Year - Prabhat Mishra and Daniel Volya
Standing InnOvation 2024: Invention of the Year - Jennifer Mulligan and Carl Atkinson
Standing InnOvation 2024: Invention of the Year - Aladdin Alwisy and Ben Tehrani
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Standing InnOvation 2025: Invention of the Year - Whitney Stoppel
UF Innovate November 24, 2025 5:48 pm