Hispanic entrepreneurs in Orlando explore AI, gov’t aid at D4 event
ORLANDO, Fla. — Hundreds of Hispanics in Central Florida are actively seeking opportunities to grow their businesses, and topics like cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and working with the government were part of the discussions at the Orange County D4 Business Journey 2025, in collaboration with the United Retailers Association (CUD, in Spanish).
“For me, this is what I needed to hear, especially the talk about cybersecurity. I’m concerned about what’s happening online nowadays, what our kids are watching — we need to pay attention,” said Dally Pérez, a Puerto Rican entrepreneur and founder of the support group Madastras in Orlando.
This is the second year the event has been held at the Guidewell Innovation Center in Lake Nona, as part of a collaboration between Commissioner Maribel Gómez-Cordero from District 4 in Orange County and the CUD.
“This event isn’t just about business; it’s about community, collaboration and opportunity. It’s about recognizing the entrepreneurial spirit that unites our people and creating a space where the energy grows to form real partnerships, shared innovation and meaningful impact,” said Gómez.
Throughout the day, sessions focused on navigating government resources for business growth, unlocking the power of AI in health care, fueling business growth with development resources, and connecting and supporting business communities.
Horacio Maysonet, president of Cyber Security Solutions, surprised attendees with an interactive example: some clicked on an ad offering a raffle for two theme park tickets. However, the QR code was strategically created to show an example of fraudulent sites that steal data.
“The emotional element plays a key role when disclosing your information. You have to be very alert — not just to protect your own business and data, but also your clients’ data, which is a crucial part of your company,” said Maysonet.
Zulay Millán, assistant manager of the Procurement Division at Orange County, emphasized opportunities to work with the local government and become a vendor, enabling participation in next-level business opportunities.
Gómez highlighted the help received by a Puerto Rican entrepreneur who reached out to her office. Thanks to the collaboration with CUD, they assisted him in overcoming a debt related to commercial property costs, caused by not knowing about zoning and planning regulations during his expansion in Orlando.
Jorge Cruz, president of Marketing Innovations Group, urged business owners to take advantage of AI at this moment because it is one of the best times to streamline and accelerate business operations.
For the first time, CUD, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Metro Orlando, the Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce and other local organizations were part of the workshops.
