Daniel Hernandez, CEO of Fonda Technologies, an all-in-one platform tailored to assist Latino-owned restaurants in managing and growing their online business (and member of Santa Cruz Accelerates 4th cohort!) recently visited the White House and shared about his experience. Keep reading to hear about his visit!

“Okay, taking a deep breath here. Last week was, in every sense, surreal. Though I didn't get to shake hands with President Biden, the invitation from him and First Lady Dr. Biden for a reception in honour of Hispanic Heritage Month, hosted by Vice President Kamala Harris, felt like the universe's way of saying, "Every struggle, every late night, every 'no' you turned into a 'yes' - it’s all been worth it."

Walking around the White House and the Capitol Building and taking in the profound legacy of the Lincoln and Washington Memorials alongside Carlos Castellanos, CFA. I was flooded with memories from my early days in the U.S. The chance to set foot where our nation's leaders have walked once seemed like a distant dream, yet there I was, living it.

With the unwavering support of my community, resilience, and a dash of audacity, I'm breaking barriers. To every dreamer, especially those young immigrants wondering if they belong: our stories matter, our dreams are real, and when we unite, not only do we bring our dreams to life, but together we forge an inspiring future.

Words cannot describe how grateful I am to FounderFamilia, Carlos Castellanos, CFA, and Renée Rosillo for presenting me with this remarkable opportunity. To Hector Ramos, ICA Fund, Opus Faveo Innovation Development, Iliana Quinonez, and Rob Sandie - thank you isn't enough, but thank you for believing in me.

To my Fonda team. The real MVPs! Day in and out, through thick and thin, you’ve matched every challenge with passion and every setback with perseverance.  This White House invitation is as much a testament to your grit as it is to our shared vision.

Last but not least, thank you to our vibrant Latino community – the underdog founders, the bootstrapped startups, and the tireless small businesses. Let's keep writing our story.  🌟” - Daniel Hernandez