All it takes is a spark to transform, make a change and inspire.

Those are the words that Miami’s most influential tech leader, Manny Medina, shared with us at an intimate event held at Pipeline last Thursday night. Different than other shared workspaces or traditional executive suites, Pipeline fosters a sense of community in a variety of ways, including a speaker series it hosts for community leaders to share their insights with others.

At Pipeline, our members, business colleagues and friends joined us to learn about Medina’s efforts to create a viable tech hub that can have a transformational impact on Miami.

Apollo Bank Chairman Eddy Arriola led the conversation with Cuban-born entrepreneur Manny Medina, who discussed the concept of his new investment company and how it has already invested in four promising enterprises, including cyber security companies.

His hope for the international tech conference eMerge Americas debuting in May 2014 is to position Miami as a hub for technology in the Americas, similar to how Art Basel has elevated Miami into an art hub and destination.

This is an exciting time for our city. The leadership and investment of entrepreneurs, longtime business leaders and governments have the power to create an economic catalyst with a lasting legacy.

Manny Medina said it best: “If we are able to have a healthy tech industry here in Miami, we can become the technology capital for Latin America.”

See the event photo album on Pipeline’s Facebook page.