CEO/CTO
Kismet Technologies
Dr. Christina Drake is the founder and CEO of Kismet Technologies based in Orlando, Florida. She is a second generation Filipino-American and first-generation college graduate. Dr. Drake received her Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Central Florida (UCF) where she researched and developed high sensitivity nano-oxide sensors for hydrogen detection with NASA. She was previously at Lockheed Martin Corporation where she led several research programs and was co-founder and co-chair of the Lockheed Martin Nano-Bio Working group. After Lockheed Martin, Dr. Drake was an assistant professor of Mechanical Engineering at Florida Polytechnic University. At Florida Poly, she served as faculty president and trustee as well as the first coordinator of the inaugural Mechanical Engineering program. At Kismet Technologies, her team is developing NanoRAD, a fast-acting continuous disinfecting coating that provides safe, non-stop virus and bacteria protection for weeks to months on surfaces. Kismet Technologies has been recognized for its work with NanoRAD as the 2023 Crummer Venture Pitch Winner, 2022 Cade Museum Fibonacci Semi-Finalists, 2022 FIME Innov8 Talk Winner, 2021 Tech Connect National Innovation Award, and as a Finalist and silver winner in the Mass Challenge 2021 Competition. Dr. Drake was featured on the Forbes 2021 Next 1000 List, was named to the 2023 list of Orlando Business Journal’s Women Who Mean Business, South Florida’s Healthcare Innovators of 2020, and is a UCF Distinguished Alumnae of Materials Science and Engineering. Kismet Technologies was named to Orlando Inno’s 2022 Inaugural Start Ups to Watch List and Orlando Business Journal’s Fire Awards. Dr. Drake has secured more than 30 grants in excess of $14 million and has raised over $3M in investment for Kismet Technologies.