international-trade
(3)
Opportunity Network
Opportunity Network is a members-only, invitation-based B2B platform that connects vetted CEOs, investors and dealmakers across borders so they can raise capital, buy and sell companies, and originate proprietary deal flow. Founded in 2014 by Brian Pallas out of a Columbia Business School side project, it pairs matching algorithms with a human concierge service and screens members through banking partners like UBS. The network reports 52,000+ members across 130+ countries and roughly $530 billion in transaction flow.
Emil Hakem
Emil Hakem (also spelled Emil Hakim) is a serial entrepreneur and founder-CEO of Sierra International Network Inc. (SINI), a diversified global investment corporation headquartered in Corona, California, with branches in England, Dubai, and Egypt. Holding a doctorate in Business Administration and over 20 years of entrepreneurial experience, Hakem built JH Group Inc. into a multi-brand consumer powerhouse — with hair care brand Formawell reportedly reaching Kendall Jenner's vanity — before pivoting to Sierra International Network and its signature 'Stock in the Box' program, which lets individuals earn equity in early-stage companies through online engagement. SINI has raised $407.5 million across funding rounds and announced plans for a NASDAQ listing based on an independent $3.41 billion company assessment.
Rick Tellez
Rick Tellez is the Co-Founder of KlearNow.AI, an AI-powered platform digitizing customs clearance and trade compliance for importers, freight forwarders, and customs brokers. Drawing on 20+ years of logistics expertise at DHL, Tellez co-founded KlearNow in 2018 to automate the manual, error-prone paperwork that bottlenecks global trade. The company has raised $69 million in funding, serves over 1,000 organizations, and generates $26.8M in annual recurring revenue.