Get to know Hiro:

Start with two recent University of Florida grads. Throw in a couple “temporary” jobs at a local sushi restaurant. Add some uncovered talent and newfound passion. Sprinkle in an epiphany. What do you get: an imaginative new way to bring the essence of Japanese restaurants that push Japanese Beyond Sushi.

For Hiro Leung, his venture began with the opening of Dragonfly Gainesville in 2000. An upscale, modern interpretation of a traditional Japanese pub, or izakaya, Dragonfly restaurant is one of Gainesville’s most unique and desired Japanese restaurants, with two-hour dinner waits still a weekly occurrence more than 18 years after opening its doors.

In 2010 another epiphany hit. This time while Hiro and Song were traveling to Orlando. Just like with the original Dragonfly, they looked at the market and knew they could do better. Enter Orlando's Dragonfly focusing on the traditional culture of Robata Grilling. Like the original restaurant, Dragonfly Orlando focuses on the freshly selected Sushi and Japanese Tavern food and beverages locally found in dark alleyways of Ginza Japan. But unlike the original restaurant, Dragonfly Orlando focuses on the art of grilling on imported Japanese white Binchotan Charcoal.

Fast forward another 6 years. March of 2016, the duo with their executive chef Ray Hideaki Leung opened their Miami location under the concept that reminded the Chef and owner Hiro of the childhood memories with their father taking them to the busiest Fish Market in the world known as Tsukiji.

Since their opening, Dragonfly restaurants have won numerous awards including Battle Sushi during the 2017 South Beach Seafood Festival, multiple appearances on Eater's top 10 heat maps and best places to dine in Miami, and Florida Trend Magazine's Golden Spoon Award 2015-2017 just to name a few. But, his greatest rewards are the meaningful connections made throughout the years with his guests, his new son (Nikko), and his life partner Lili—his biggest fan and critic.

Your Moderator Mitch Glaeser:

Mitch Glaeser has founded 11 start-ups. Known throughout the world as a serial entrepreneur, community leader, philanthropist and mentor, he was recently named CEO of The Emory Group Companies. Mitch now runs a family owned group of companies including information technology, publishing, hospitality, apparel, and real estate development among others.

He received his real estate license at 18 and became a real estate broker soon after. He worked for the New York Times Company for eight years, attaining the highest level of sales volume by anyone in a given year and continues to hold that record today. Glaeser is also a motivational speaker, traveling the world for several years teaching others how to build strong business relationships.

He is a past president of Crime Stoppers, Guardian Ad Litem, The Exchange Club and Junior Achievement. He has previously served on the American Red Cross board, is a member of the Leadership Gainesville Alumni Association, co-founded Alachua County Emerging Leaders and has been chair of the Gainesville Community Foundation. He is also a past board member of Keep Alachua County Beautiful and the Realtors Board of Directors. He is past chair of the Counsel for Economic Outreach and two-time chair for the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce. Mitch currently serves on the Gainesville Airport Authority. Recently, appointed by the Mayor, he chaired the City of Gainesville’s Blue Ribbon Committee on Community Competitiveness.

While receiving numerous awards over the years, he has recently been awarded the LGAA Leader of the Year Award, the James M. Parrish Community Leader of the Year Award and is the only citizen to receive two Keys to the City presented to him by two different Mayors.

About Startup Talks:

Startup Talks is a monthly event in Gainesville that brings together the tech and startup communities. To learn more about upcoming and future events, please contact us at hello@gainesvilletech.org.

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