Why DEMINT Was Founded

On an Island far far away...

Every great organization begins with a vision. DEMINT was born from a simple but powerful idea: that people thrive when they have access to meaningful connections, creative opportunities, and a community that truly supports them.

At its core, DEMINT is more than an event space. It is, in the words of the founders, a “premium private membership network” built on trust, collaboration, and philanthropy. From its earliest days, DEMINT has aimed to offer a home for possibility — a place where entrepreneurs, artists, philanthropists, and innovators could gather not only to elevate themselves, but also to lift each other up.

The Foundation: The Buddy System

The driving principle behind DEMINT is what the founders call “The Buddy System.” As the document explains, this means “Gentlemen helping gentlemen, ladies lifting up ladies to succeed through the trials & tribulations of life… This extends out to their partners, family, & businesses.”

DEMINT was founded to create this support system at scale. It isn’t just about networking in the superficial sense; it’s about building bonds that last through both “the valleys & peaks, through divorce & from rock bottom to the top of the mountain”. The founding team believed deeply that no member should ever be left behind.

Why Puerto Rico? Why Now?

In the Letter from the Founder, Simon Hawk shared: “Finding the ideal location for this venue has taken my team years, & we have worked diligently to develop a network that is rich in diversity & resources. This foundation is built on trust & will allow our community to thrive internationally… It is the right time & the perfect place for this space to provide multiple industries with an intimate environment for multipurpose events.”

Puerto Rico, with its unique mix of culture, creativity, and international potential, was chosen as the first home for DEMINT. Hawk continues: “My strongest desire is to offer visitors to the island & the people of Puerto Rico a new caliber of events. The high net-worth community, professional creatives & well-established brands… deserve a space for popups.”

Building a Caring Community

Another motivation for founding DEMINT was the recognition that many high-performing individuals feel isolated despite their professional success. As the document notes: “A lot of our high performing / high networth members have expressed a feeling of loneliness due to their work or lifestyle… DEMINT allows newcomers to a city to connect with a high-value, diverse, caring community quickly.”

By blending culture, art, music, and philanthropy, DEMINT set out to be a catalyst for deeper bonds. Shared experiences, whether an intimate wine tasting, an art exhibition, or a live performance, are the glue that binds the community.

Philanthropy at the Heart

From day one, DEMINT was structured not just as a business but as a trust with a charitable foundation. As the founding documents make clear: “Charity is a core philosophy & foundational pillar of the DEMINT business model. We cannot & will not reap the rewards without giving back to those less fortunate.”

The founders envisioned DEMINT as a way to both generate prosperity and redistribute it into the community — whether through supporting local charities, championing undiscovered talent, or giving members the tools to create their own philanthropic legacies.

A Global Vision

While the first location is in San Juan, Puerto Rico, the founders’ ambition has always been global. As stated: “Our Rolodex will grow exponentially as we open other locations internationally… This will allow our network to access more resources. The more resources we have to offer the better.”

San Francisco, New York, London, Dubai — these are just some of the cities on the horizon. But no matter how far it expands, DEMINT will remain rooted in the values that inspired its creation: connection, community, and giving back.

In the Words of the Founder

Perhaps the best way to understand why DEMINT was founded is to return to the founder’s own words:

“This will ultimately be a labor of love, as our team is passionate about crafting premium experiences for our guests. My highest goal is to introduce our clients & guests to new experiences that invigorate & elevate them. In the process our partners we will have an immense amount of fun together.”

That is the essence of DEMINT