Forerunner Award
Dwight Thanos Smith, the Jamaican-born and is a nationally recognized entrepreneur, holding multiple patents and patents pending while successfully launching multiple high-tech ventures from consumer-packaged goods, oil and gas chemicals, software development to mobility devices. He is an Alumni of Trinity International University and Purdue University,
Thanos was born at Up Park Camp, headquarters of the Jamaica Defense Force (JDF) in Jamaica and migrated to the United States when he was an adolescent.
Thanos’ most recent venture, Paragon VTOL, of which he is chief visionary officer and lead inventor is focused on drone aircraft with vertical take-off and landing capabilities for human transport. Paragon VTOL is currently transitioning from smaller proof of concept models to working prototypes. Thanos is the founder and Chief Architect for the Green Tech Energy Company (GTEC), Clearport Worldwide, BTS Infralink and the NV Motor Group which were all created to develop the necessary infrastructure for VTOL integration. As part of this transition, Thanos has successfully developed several partnerships including a manufacturing relationship with the City of Brownsville Texas, research initiative with Virginia Union University (HBCU). a historically black college and university (HBCU), led by Dr Hakim Lucas to create Paragon Universe Research and Technology Innovation Center which will create sustainable jobs within the Paragon universe and beyond. Smith plans to extend the HBCU collaboration to The University of the West Indies.
He has pioneered technologies with global reach in the areas of disposal beverage carriers for fast food restaurants; divergent chemicals to increase oil well performance; take-off and landing technology including drones, low-speed electric cars, microgrid electricity for clean energy, and soon to come, flying cars to be used as taxis. Dwight Thanos Smith, who says he is determined to overcome bureaucratic barriers to giving back to his country as an adult, became the wind beneath Mike Henry’s wings when he campaigned for the construction of an elusive international airport in Vernamfield, Clarendon.