* TechCrunch Disrupt will be held May 15-17 in NYC
* Guests include the first generation of Cuban web investors
* Featured startups from fashion and hospitality industries
TechCrunch Disrupt is happening now. The conference, which bills itself as the “leading authority in debuting revolutionary startups, introducing game-changing technologies and discussing what’s top of mind for the tech industry’s key innovators,” will play host to Cuba’s first generation of online entrepreuers, reports the publication.
Bernardo Romero Gonzalez is the CEO & founder of Cubazon, an online store that allows exiled Cubans to ship merchandise to relatives on the island. Also in attendance will be Carlos Manuel García Vergara. Vergara founded an advertising network for Cuban artists called Kewelta. He is one of the first Cubans ever to take up adtech. Finally, Diana Elianne Benitez Perera will be in attendance. Perera founded Knales, a service that sends news and weather updates to mobile users in the island nation.
The lineup of keynote speakers and jusdges includes cyber security experty General (Ret) Keith Alexander. Stonly Baptiste, the founder of the socially conscious startup fund Urban Us, will also highlight the event. And Mignon L. Clyburn, former Acting Chairwoman of the Federal Communications Commission under Barack Obama and current Democratic appointee to the comission, will also be there.
Some standouts from the startup showcase include KG Projects’ Kailu Guan, a designer who “redefines a fashion collection with a seamless digital experience.” Another startup from the fashion and beauty realm is Topology Eyewear, the purveyor of custom-size 3-D printed glasses. Topology is currently in beta testing, and avaialble by invitation only.
Other startups to see include TaxDrop, a tax service that uses only Certified Public Accountants. Restauranteurs will be interetsed to hear from xtraCHEF and Tixel Labs, Inc. –, two new solutions for inventory and cost management in professional kitchens.
The conference will run from Monday, May 15 through Wednesday May 17. Click here for ticket information.
