Naples Tech Meetup - Christmas Edition 2025
Welcome to Naples Tech Meetups of the Greater Naples area!
Our desire is to help foster Innovation, Capital and Entrepreneurship in an effort to make Naples one of the best places to do business in America.
We all know about the outstanding quality of life - but what about as a place to build innovation?
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We have a very special night planned this December for Naples Tech Meetup.
This event will directly benefit the regional chapter of Salvation Army, as a portion of the proceeds will be donated that very evening!
4-5pm: VIP session conducted by Laura Waller, Planned Giving Director at Salvation Army, and Brook Bright, Private Wealth Advisor at Venture Visionary Partners.
5-6pm: Open networking with participants.
6pm: Entrepreneurial Journeys on the theme of building abundance.
First on our evening’s program is one of Florida’s leading voices in venture investing, Timothy J. Cartwright. Tim is a Partner and Co-Founder of Fifth Avenue Family Office and Chair of the Tamiami Angel Funds. With decades of experience in M&A, corporate restructuring, and entrepreneurship, he brings deep insight into building and scaling high-potential ventures. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin and the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. Tim’s startup experience includes CEO and Co-Founder of By-Products Interactive which he sold to Euromoney Institutional Investor, a FTSE 250 Public Company and Benchmark Solutions. Mr. Cartwright recently completed a 12-year term as a member of the Florida Gulf Coast University’s Foundation Board, finishing as Chair of the Board. During this time, he was a prime mover in starting the Institute for Entrepreneurship which grew into the DK School of Entrepreneurship at FGCU where he served as Adjunct Professor for six semesters. Beyond his business endeavors, he remains deeply engaged in his community, serving on several boards across Florida’s entrepreneurial and civic ecosystem.
Next we will have a fireside chat with Jessica DeLuca, exited co-founder of Cult Beauty, which she built into one of the UK’s leading multi-brand online beauty retailers. Jess has successfully sold the business for £275 million to The Hut Group and during our conversation, we will unpack her learnings of building the "Sephora of the UK". Jessica's background in technology and data-driven decision-making helped her create a platform that delivered curated expert advice and product search tailored to customers’ needs, a key differentiator in a saturated market. Today, Jessica is focused on using her entrepreneurial experience to invest in and support women-led businesses, continuing to champion innovation and strategic growth.
Finally, we’ll be hearing from David Tingley, founder of Paraiso, Naples’ newest private beach club, recently unanimously approved by the Collier County Commissioners. With over two decades of corporate finance experience across the engineering, construction, aerospace, and services industries, David brings both strategic and operational expertise to this ambitious venture. A graduate of the University of Maryland with dual bachelor’s degrees in business and history, he now calls Naples home. Tonight, we celebrate his bold vision for Paraiso - an exclusive, members-only beachfront destination featuring a multistory clubhouse with a restaurant, bar, pool, wellness amenities, outdoor dining areas, and direct beach access with member shuttle service.
Reserve early - limited spots!
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Naples Tech Meetups: 3 simple rules
1. Entrepreneurs First
Our objective is to help foster entrepreneurship and innovation in SWFL. We believe in community and synergy, to help existing and aspiring entrepreneurs build great companies from SWFL to the world.
2. Be Generous
We all have our businesses and projects to promote, but arrive to this group with an open mind and an objective to give to the community, first. Then magic happens.
3. Southern Hospitality
Be hospitable the Southern way. That's something that attracted many of us to relocate to our beautiful paradise of SWFL. Let's keep ourselves courteous, respectful, constructive with each other.
Looking forward to being your hosts,
Seb & Naomi
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Photography, video and marketing content generating during the event:
I understand and agree that Espresso V Corp (or "Espresso") may use, reproduce, distribute, perform, and publicly display my name, photographic likeness, and videography.