Chairman
Louis Hernandez Jr. is the founder, Managing Partner, CEO, and major investor of Black Dragon Capital. Mr. Hernandez is an award-winning entrepreneur, successful investor, philanthropist, advocate, and recognized speaker and author. He is a proven growth-oriented technology executive and investor with expertise in operational execution and results-driven performance across complex technical sectors, including financial services, digital payments, content management, e-commerce, sports, and media.
His focus and passion are advancing technology initiatives that enable meaningful collaboration and stronger connections between institutions, businesses, and the communities they serve. Throughout his career, he has played a central role in developing financial technology platforms that help financial institutions modernize services, strengthen relationships with members and businesses, and compete in a rapidly evolving digital payments landscape.
After more than 30 years of successfully operating, advising, and investing in companies across all phases of development, completing financings in both debt and equity through private and public transactions, and advising boards, investors, and entrepreneurs, Mr. Hernandez envisioned the next generation of private equity when forming Black Dragon Capital. The firm deeply engages with entrepreneurs, capturing the energy and spirit that defined his successful technology ventures while combining a sophisticated transaction and investment approach.
Black Dragon Capital, founded over a decade ago by recognized financial technology leaders, is a multi-phased investment firm focused on disruptive technologies in high-growth industry segments that address significant industry issues and strengthen economic stability within communities. The firm is led by a collaborative team that combines deep operating experience with a proven track record of transforming companies and accelerating innovation.
Through this work, Mr. Hernandez has helped guide the development of next-generation financial technology platforms such as PayOnward, which enables credit unions and community-based financial institutions to deliver modern digital payment capabilities while maintaining control of the financial relationship with their members and business clients. Platforms like PayOnward unify accounts receivable, bill pay, and real-time money movement under a single financial institution-branded experience, helping community institutions compete effectively in the digital economy.
Mr. Hernandez is a sought-after leader and advisor to global organizations and governments around the world. He has served on or advised boards of directors ranging from start-ups to trillion-dollar organizations, including HSBC, Infosys, and Edison, as well as numerous nonprofit organizations and hospitals.
He is the author of four books: Saving the American Dream, Too Small to Fail, The Storyteller’s Dilemma, and Digital Tsunami, along with numerous articles on technology, economics, and leadership. Mr. Hernandez has been featured on Fox Business, CNBC, ABC News, and Bloomberg TV discussing technology, economic policy, and globalization.
He has been inducted into the Innovators Hall of Fame by Banking Technology News and has been recognized as one of the top innovators in financial technology. He has also received the IABM Impact Awards Visionary Leadership Award from the International Trade Association for Broadcast and Media, as well as the Honorary Exemplary CEO Award from Digital Studio India. Mr. Hernandez has received numerous entrepreneurial awards and recognitions throughout his career.
Mr. Hernandez’s lifelong commitment to youth development is reflected in both his philanthropic and educational leadership. Through his philanthropic organization, For A Bright Future Foundation, he supports expanded access to healthcare, education, the arts, youth athletics, and leadership development for underserved communities. That same mission guides his work as founder and Chairman of Dragons Academy, a fully accredited one-to-one private school focused on advanced scholastic performance with an emphasis on core subjects. His leadership also extends to Dragons Elite, one of the nation’s fastest growing youth athletic platforms, where character, discipline, and long-term development are central pillars. Together, these initiatives reflect his belief that every child deserves the opportunity to thrive academically, athletically, and personally.