Every year, the world of entrepreneurship brings new names to watch, but 2025 feels different. The individuals on this list aren’t just launching companies; they’re setting the tone for what comes next. Their ideas are bold, their missions personal, and their impact already impossible to ignore.
This year’s selection spans industries, but they all share something deeper: a commitment to building with purpose. These are entrepreneurs who care just as much about why they do something as how they do it.
Curated by one of the industry’s most trusted voices, Top Entrepreneurs to Follow in 2025 is more than a list, it’s a glimpse into the future, led by the people who are already shaping it.
Grant Cardone
Grant Cardone is a globally recognized entrepreneur, real estate investor, sales trainer, and motivational speaker. He is the founder and CEO of Cardone Capital, a real estate investment firm with over $4 billion in assets under management. Cardone is also known for his best-selling books, including The 10X Rule, Sell or Be Sold, and If You’re Not First, You’re Last, which have sold millions of copies worldwide. Through his companies, he offers sales training, business development, and marketing strategies to individuals and organizations across the globe.
Cardone’s journey to success was far from easy. Born in Lake Charles, Louisiana, he battled addiction in his early 20s and faced numerous personal and financial challenges before turning his life around. After entering the automotive sales industry, he quickly became one of the top salespeople in the country, using his own techniques and high-performance mindset. His resilience and determination laid the foundation for what would become a multimillion-dollar empire.
In addition to his business ventures, Grant Cardone is a prolific content creator and public speaker. He has built a massive following on social media, with millions of fans watching his videos, attending his conferences, and tuning into his online training platforms. Events like the 10X Growth Conference attract thousands of entrepreneurs, professionals, and business leaders from around the world. His dynamic presence and no-excuses philosophy have made him a powerful voice in personal development and business growth.
Beyond his commercial success, Cardone is also a philanthropist and advocate for financial literacy. Through the Grant Cardone Foundation, he supports underserved youth by providing education and mentorship in entrepreneurship and money management. His mission is to help people break out of the middle-class mindset and achieve financial freedom by thinking and acting 10X bigger. Whether through real estate, sales training, or motivational speaking, Grant Cardone continues to inspire millions to take control of their futures.
Julio Duque
Julio Cesar Duque is a Latin American entrepreneur leading one of the most successful virtual betting operations in the region. For the past decade, he has been the key distributor of Golden Race, a platform offering virtual sports and gaming content. Under his leadership, the company has expanded across Latin America with offices in Miami, Colombia, Peru, Argentina, and the Dominican Republic—reaching monthly revenues exceeding $35 million.
Duque’s journey into entrepreneurship was fueled by a deep desire to build a powerful brand. After spending 12 years working in the gaming industry, he set a personal goal to transition from employee to founder by age 40. When the opportunity came to represent Golden Race—a giant in Europe and Africa but virtually unknown in Latin America—he leveraged his network and industry experience to introduce and establish the brand across the continent.
Operating in a fiercely competitive entertainment and gaming market, Julio credits his company’s edge to customer insight and rapid execution. By closely tracking player preferences and translating those needs into product improvements, his team consistently stays ahead of industry trends. Their in-house development team is the company’s engine—agile, innovative, and focused on delivering value to both betting platforms and end users.
As a founder, Duque embraces constant reinvention. He believes staying relevant means evolving with the market, taking calculated risks, and challenging comfort zones. His mission goes beyond profit—he wants to build a brand that stands for innovation, trust, and impact. Every decision, he says, is made with legacy in mind.
Looking ahead to 2025, Julio is focused on expansion and regulatory breakthroughs. With new legislation in Peru and a historic approval for localizing virtual betting in Colombia, his company is preparing to roll out a dynamic new product with potential to transform the sector. With strategic plans for growth in Puerto Rico, Haiti, Venezuela, and Guatemala, he sees this year as one of consolidation, opportunity, and lasting impact.
Tiffany Okirika
Tiffany is a purpose-driven entrepreneur redefining what access, opportunity, and community look like in the luxury and lifestyle space. She’s the founder of BLELEVATE, a brand focused on uplifting historically disadvantaged groups through curated experiences, connection, and strategic empowerment. BLELEVATE is her second venture, following Skyspace Global, her original consulting firm. With BLELEVATE, Tiffany taps into a more dynamic, creative side of business while staying rooted in her mission: to open doors for those often left behind.
Operating at the intersection of business, luxury, and lifestyle, BLELEVATE brings a fresh perspective to the industry. Unlike many brands in this space, Tiffany’s model blends premium quality with community impact. Her goal isn’t just to build something beautiful — it’s to build something meaningful. Whether through exclusive events, partnerships, or curated experiences, BLELEVATE delivers value with heart and purpose.
Tiffany’s path hasn’t been without challenges, especially balancing ambition with personal responsibilities. As a mother and wife who stepped into entrepreneurship early, she recognized the need to gain more corporate experience before launching again. That decision to pause, learn, and return stronger was critical. Now, she leads BLELEVATE with clarity, resilience, and a strong sense of direction rooted in lived experience.
What keeps Tiffany going is the impact she’s creating, and the people she’s creating it for. She knows firsthand the struggle of building something from scratch while navigating real-life challenges. Her motivation is deeply personal: to build what she once needed, to show her children the power of commitment, and to create space for others as she rises. BLELEVATE isn’t just a brand — it’s a movement toward equity, connection, and lasting change.
This year, Tiffany is focused on intentional growth. She’s building BLELEVATE into a platform that goes beyond aesthetics, offering genuine community and high-impact opportunities. With upcoming events, partnerships, and engagement strategies in the pipeline, Tiffany is laying the foundation for a brand that will not only thrive, but lead. Her long-term goal is clear: to reshape leadership and expand access, one elevated experience at a time.
Ciudadano Hector
Ciudadano Héctor is the founder of DRAYVO, a next-generation mobility company reshaping car rental and transport access across northern Mexico and the southern U.S. What began in Reynosa as a traditional rental business has evolved into a bold, tech-driven platform that merges contactless rentals, subscriptions, shared vehicle investment, and AI-based automation. With legal operations now established in both Texas and Mexico under a U.S.-based C-Corp, DRAYVO is redefining what it means to scale a mobility company from the border — and for the world.
DRAYVO stands out in the crowded mobility industry by combining real-world traction with transformative ambition. Unlike many startups, the company didn’t start from scratch — it scaled from a profitable base of returning customers and proven operations. What makes it different is its hybrid model: fully digital, yet backed by physical infrastructure; investor-friendly, yet hyper-focused on user experience. DRAYVO’s rental model doesn’t require branches or paperwork — just a smartphone and a few taps. And with its crowdsourced fleet model, investors earn passive income with zero management headaches.
Transforming a traditional business into a global tech venture has been Héctor’s greatest entrepreneurial challenge. The shift required rethinking not just operations, but the company’s culture, structure, and ecosystem. He made bold moves — incorporating in the U.S., defining a clear tech roadmap, and joining TrepCamp, one of the world’s top incubators for high-impact entrepreneurs. DRAYVO’s acceptance into TrepCamp not only validated its vision but marked a turning point in its journey toward international expansion.
What drives Héctor is the desire to build purposeful solutions that scale beyond borders. He’s a founder who comes from the ground up — without privilege, connections, or shortcuts. What he brings instead is vision, grit, and the will to build something massive from a place often overlooked in the global startup conversation. For Héctor, DRAYVO isn’t just a business — it’s proof that tech innovation can thrive from the frontier, powered by strategy, resilience, and community.
In 2025, DRAYVO is launching its MVP: a smart mobility platform built to disrupt how people access vehicles in Latin America and beyond. With legal footing in two countries and a growing network of early adopters, the company is gearing up to validate its model in real-world environments before expanding into high-potential urban markets. Héctor’s mission goes far beyond profit: he aims to spark a new narrative for Latin American tech, one that’s scalable, dignified, and born from vision, not privilege.
Emilio Guerra
Emilio Guerra-Estévez is the founder of Cosmos, a technology company on a mission to revolutionize how governments operate. Frustrated by the systemic inefficiencies in public administration, Emilio created Cosmos to bring smart, adaptable tech solutions into a space long dominated by outdated systems. His driving force is clear: the people. Cosmos aims to give government workers the tools they need to focus on real impact, not red tape, and to help entire nations move faster, smarter, and with greater purpose.
Cosmos operates in a niche few dare to enter: technology built specifically for public sector transformation. What makes it singular is its dual DNA, one part deep tech, one part public policy. With partnerships that include global tech players and Phi Research, a think tank led by an MIT-trained data scientist, Cosmos is creating tools that merge powerful software with real-world government insight. It’s not just innovation for the sake of it, it’s innovation with political and civic purpose.
For Emilio, building Cosmos has meant confronting one hard truth: there are no shortcuts. Lasting solutions require deep involvement in your market, mastery of operations, and the courage to take risks. The entrepreneurial path, he believes, isn’t about chasing rapid wins — it’s about showing up, day after day, rain or shine, with discipline and conviction. His advice to other founders is direct: love your product, immerse yourself in your sector, and give your best to every relationship.
What drives Emilio is the belief that governments can — and must — do better. He sees Cosmos not just as a business, but as a vehicle for systemic change. His source of energy is both spiritual and practical: a vision powered by faith, and a team committed to execution. Seeing real users benefit from a tool that once existed only as an idea confirms the power of persistence and purpose.
In 2025, Cosmos is scaling rapidly across the Americas, entering a decisive phase of influence. The company is responding to real demand from public institutions eager for transformation. Emilio’s ambition is to position Cosmos as the essential operating system for 21st-century governance. With a clear roadmap and an unshakable mission, he’s not just building a brand, he’s challenging an entire generation to rethink what government can be.
Alejandro Gonzalez
Alejandro González is the co-founder of Blackroom, one of Colombia’s fastest-growing hotel operators, built to solve a major flaw in real estate development: beautiful hotels with no operational backbone. Alongside his brother Camilo, Alejandro launched Blackroom after realizing many developers were launching hotel projects without understanding how to run them. Through their real estate firm, Macca Desarrollo Inmobiliario, they’d already mastered product design and market research — now, they applied that expertise to create hotels that didn’t just look good but delivered strong returns, high occupancy, and operational efficiency.
Blackroom operates in what Alejandro calls “the industry of peace of mind” — for guests and investors alike. For travelers, it’s about consistent comfort, service, and experience. For investors, it’s about choosing an operator who delivers results and protects their asset. Unlike traditional hotel chains, Blackroom operates as a white-label service, adapting to each project rather than forcing a brand. With a design philosophy centered on customer needs and desires, Alejandro’s team creates hyper-segmented concepts that are not only desirable — but profitable.
Alejandro’s biggest challenge was embracing what he didn’t know. When he and his brother entered the hotel space, they lacked direct experience in hospitality — but they knew how to structure successful developments. Instead of improvising, they partnered with experienced hoteliers and built a team with deep operational knowledge. As the company scaled, new challenges emerged: maintaining consistency across cities, forming high-performing teams, and protecting company culture. Growth, Alejandro learned, requires more than vision — it demands structure, discipline, and relentless attention to detail.
What fuels Alejandro’s drive is turning ideas into reality. He thrives on seeing a concept move from sketch to successful hotel, filled with happy guests and confident investors. Building a company that generates jobs and uplifts communities is a constant motivator. Starting with six team members, Blackroom now employs over 200 people and is on track to reach 800 by 2027. Working with his brother has been another unexpected gift — their complementary skills have become the foundation of a strong, balanced, and visionary leadership duo.
In 2025, Blackroom is expanding aggressively across Colombia and Central America. With a focus on hotels between 40 and 100 rooms, the company is also pioneering blockchain-based technology to streamline and democratize hotel investment. On the social impact front, Alejandro is launching a foundation to train and employ vulnerable women through a digital university, starting in partnership with Medellín’s local government. His goal is to create not just profitable hotels, but lasting, inclusive change in the hospitality industry — one project, and one life, at a time.
Juliana Norato
Juliana Norato is the visionary co-founder behind Colchones Romance Relax, a brand born from the belief that life is better when we have enough energy to fully enjoy it. Motivated by a passion for authentic well-being, Juliana created a company focused on delivering true rest through products designed to meet the unique needs of each individual. With a deep understanding that proper sleep is essential for a vibrant life, Romance Relax aims to bring balance, comfort, and support to every home.
Operating within the sleep wellness and prevention industry, Romance Relax stands apart by emphasizing personalization. Juliana’s approach goes beyond selling mattresses and pillows, it’s about offering tailored solutions that genuinely enhance people’s quality of life. Her commitment to creating products that respect the diversity of human bodies and lifestyles sets her brand apart in a competitive market that often prioritizes volume over value.
One of Juliana’s greatest challenges has been competing against lower-priced alternatives. She overcame this by staying true to her vision: delivering superior-quality, customized products that offer real wellness benefits. By focusing on excellence and integrity, she built a loyal customer base that recognizes and appreciates the tangible difference Romance Relax makes in their lives.
Juliana draws her greatest inspiration from her husband’s example and her mission to show the world that true rest is achievable, even amidst life’s relentless pace. Her passion fuels the brand’s vision of providing people with the rest they need to heal, recharge, and live fully. She firmly believes that perseverance, a clear focus, and unwavering transparency are the foundations for building a brand that truly stands the test of time.
In 2025, Juliana envisions a bold expansion for Romance Relax, aiming for a 25% growth in sales and a strong presence in Central America and Florida, USA. Her plans include forming strategic alliances and innovating within the sleep industry, all with the goal of leaving a lasting impact: inspiring communities to value their rest, restore their nervous systems, and elevate their quality of life through the power of deep, restorative sleep.
Carlos Garcia
Carlos Garcia is the co-founder of Consul Experience, a national movement helping Hispanic entrepreneurs in the U.S. unlock their full potential. Starting as a young business consultant at age 20 — after launching his first ventures with his father and brother — Carlos arrived in the U.S. determined to understand and master the American system. What he discovered was a gap: thousands of Latinos were working hard but lacked access to the tools, strategy, and mindset needed to truly thrive. That realization sparked the creation of Consul Experience, a platform blending business education, personal growth, and live events across the country.
Operating in the business education and personal development space, Consul Experience stands out for its grounded, results-based approach. Rather than teaching from theory, Carlos shares insights born from lived experience — including helping thousands of business owners across the U.S. grow their companies while growing as leaders. His philosophy is clear: a business can only grow as much as its founder evolves. That’s why every training, workshop, and event is designed to align internal transformation with external success.
Carlos’s biggest challenge was starting over — from zero — in a country he didn’t know. When he moved to the U.S. in 2015, he had no network, no funding, and no safety net. What he did have was clarity of purpose and the resilience to start again every time life knocked him down. From closing offices to relaunching projects, he’s learned to embrace change, take bold action, and trust that every setback is part of a greater preparation.
What fuels Carlos is the impact of his work, seeing lives change, one story at a time. Whether on stage at a conference or in a quiet moment with a client, he’s driven by the transformation that happens when people believe in their own power. His family is his greatest personal motivation, and the Latino community is his professional mission. He wants to see Hispanics rise, not just as workers, but as wealth-builders, leaders, and change-makers in America.
This year, Carlos is leading a 50-city national tour, launching new programs and preparing to release his next book, The Anatomy of Business. His goal is to reach over one million people with tools that link personal consciousness to business success. Through immersive retreats, live events, and strategic mentorship, he’s not just teaching entrepreneurship, he’s awakening a movement.
Alexander Vasquez
Alexander Vásquez doesn’t sell motivation: he embodies transformation. His journey isn’t polished or scripted. It’s raw, real, and rooted in pain, resilience, and deep purpose. Born into scarcity and later wrongfully imprisoned for nearly four years, Alexander has lived the kind of story that breaks most people. But he refused to stay broken. Instead, he used those years in confinement to strengthen his spirit and sharpen his vision. Today, he’s built a movement across the U.S. that empowers Latinos to reclaim their identity, rewrite their narrative, and rise with purpose.
As the cofounder of Consul Experience, Alexander is creating spaces for healing, connection, and empowerment. What he offers through his events, coaching programs, and digital platforms is far more than personal development—it’s inner revolution. He’s not interested in shallow success. He teaches people to rebuild themselves from the inside out: mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and financially. His programs don’t just teach—they challenge, awaken, and uplift. His audience isn’t looking for quick wins. They’re looking for real change. And he delivers it.
Starting with nothing but grit and conviction, Alexander had to become the leader he once needed. No mentors, no safety net, just an unshakable belief that he was meant for more. He doesn’t speak from books; he speaks from battle scars. That’s why people listen. That’s why they follow. And that’s why they change.
In 2025, Alexander is expanding his footprint with a series of live events across the U.S., launching his next book, and creating a father-child retreat called “Yo Soy Tu Legado”. He’s also building digital tools for Latino entrepreneurs who want to thrive in the U.S. business landscape without losing their roots or integrity. His focus this year isn’t just scale, it’s depth.
Ask Alexander what legacy means to him, and he’ll tell you it’s not fame, followers, or fortune. Its impact. It’s hearing someone say, “You helped me believe again.” He’s not chasing influence: he’s building a generation of unbreakable leaders. One story, one breakthrough, one soul at a time.
Mauricio Lazo
Mauricio Lazo is the founder and driving force behind FuturEnergy, a solar energy company born out of a desire to bring honesty and professionalism to an industry plagued by misinformation and poor service. Witnessing how countless families and businesses were being misled by so-called experts, Mauricio committed to doing things differently—offering transparent, reliable, and long-term solar solutions. From day one, FuturEnergy has prioritized educating clients, delivering tangible results, and building trust that extends well beyond installation. With a bold vision, Mauricio is working toward a fully automated FuturEnergy by 2028, using technology to elevate every aspect of the customer journey.
Operating within the solar energy industry, FuturEnergy stands out for its human-centered and educational approach. Mauricio believes that clean energy is not just a product, but a pathway to empowerment. Unlike many competitors, the company doesn’t just install panels—it equips customers with the financial understanding and digital tools they need to take full control of their energy future. Through automation of quotations, monitoring, and follow-ups, FuturEnergy is making clean energy more accessible and efficient for everyone.
One of the biggest challenges Mauricio has faced is navigating an industry that has remained largely analog. Many processes in solar energy are still manual and outdated, often leading to mistakes and customer frustration. To break that cycle, he invested in digital infrastructure and automation—allowing the company to become more agile, reduce human error, and improve service delivery. This commitment to innovation has not only accelerated growth but has positioned FuturEnergy as a modern leader in an evolving space.
What keeps him motivated is not just the present impact, but the transformative potential of clean energy for the future. His mission is deeply rooted in national change—enabling Mexican households to save money, helping businesses become more competitive, and protecting the environment. Every panel installed and every system improved brings him closer to a vision of a more sustainable, technologically advanced Mexico. It’s this larger purpose that fuels his passion and determination as an entrepreneur.
For aspiring entrepreneurs, Mauricio’s advice is clear: don’t wait for perfection. Take the leap, fail fast, learn faster, and surround yourself with people who challenge and uplift you. Build systems from day one, and never stop investing in yourself as a leader. As for the future, he has ambitious goals for 2025, including the launch of a digital platform that allows users to quote, contract, and install solar systems from their phones. With expansion into the U.S. starting in Texas, he envisions scaling impact while staying rooted in the close, customer-first ethos that defines FuturEnergy.
Ivana Rodriguez
Ivana Rodriguez is the founder and creative force behind MYKOZ, a revolutionary ice cream brand born during the pandemic. While studying at Tecnológico de Monterrey, Ivana realized that online learning was not for her and channeled her energy into building something unique. She envisioned more than just another ice cream shop; she dreamed of creating a guilt-free, sugar-free experience where customers could indulge without limits. Every aspect of MYKOZ, from its customized toppings to its vibrant spaces, was carefully designed to make each visit an empowering, feel-good moment.
Operating within the food and beverage industry, MYKOZ stands out by offering more than a product, it offers an aspirational lifestyle. Unlike traditional ice cream parlors that depend on third-party suppliers, MYKOZ has its own manufacturing facility, ensuring a unique, original flavor profile. The brand’s attention to architectural detail, customer interactions, and in-house product development positions it as a trailblazer, not only in the ice cream sector but in the broader landscape of experiential brands in Mexico.
Launching MYKOZ at just 19 years old, Ivana faced the challenge of youth in a world where experience is everything. From learning how to analyze financial statements to managing a growing team of over 50 employees, she matured rapidly, proving that results and resilience matter more than age. Today, at 24, she leads MYKOZ’s expansion with eight thriving locations across Mérida and Mexico City. Her journey reflects a relentless commitment to learning, surrounding herself with mentors, and mastering the operational intricacies that drive sustainable growth.
Ivana’s entrepreneurial spirit is fueled by her passion for creation, legacy-building, and inspiring others. Every new store, every satisfied customer, and every team member’s success fuels her ambition. For Ivana, entrepreneurship is not about the glamour often portrayed online; it’s about perseverance, purpose, and staying true to one’s vision even in the face of challenges. Her message to aspiring entrepreneurs is clear: find your “why,” stay grounded, and never underestimate the power of resilience and strategic thinking.
This year, she envisions a year of strategic expansion, strengthening the internal structure of MYKOZ, and developing new product lines aligned with the brand’s philosophy of wellness and indulgence. With plans for new locations across Mexico and initiatives for social responsibility, she aims to redefine what a Mexican, female-led brand can achieve. This way, she is setting a new standard for what it means to create, lead, and inspire in today’s world.
Mateo Carmona
Mateo Carmona Arango is building the future of intelligent operations, one process at a time. As the founder of AF, Mateo leads a process-first automation company that integrates people, data, and machines to unlock massive productivity gains across industries. From public health to port logistics, AF is quietly reshaping how complex systems operate in Latin America and now, increasingly, North America. The results are tangible: cancer patients getting surgeries in days instead of months, housing subsidies delivered in record time, student loans approved in hours, not weeks.
The company didn’t start with code or capital — it started with a problem. Mateo and his team saw that most automation projects fail not because of weak tech, but because they overlook how real people and processes work on the ground. So they flipped the model. AF’s methodology begins with deep process mapping, understanding every decision and handoff, before layering in AI, RPA, and real-time analytics. That discipline has led to a 100% success rate in hundreds of digitized workflows — and a reputation for solving the unsolvable.
But AF was also born from personal collapse. When the company Mateo spent over a decade building entered liquidation, and his co-founder and mentor passed away, he was left with grief, uncertainty, and a choice: give up or rebuild. He chose the latter. Rallying a team around shared values, embracing transparency with clients, and stripping away unnecessary layers, Mateo designed a leaner, sharper, and more resilient business. AF rose not just from strategy, but from conviction — that clarity, empathy, and operational excellence can turn any crisis into a new foundation.
What drives Mateo is the belief that entrepreneurship is a force for structural change. For him, process design isn’t a technical function — it’s a tool for dignity, equity, and impact. Whether improving healthcare wait times or unlocking public subsidies faster, AF’s work touches real lives. That’s what fuels the company’s ambition to scale across the Americas in 2025, deploying over 1,000 intelligent agents and establishing a stronghold in sectors where time and precision matter most.
Mateo’s long-term vision? To redefine the way humans and machines collaborate for the public good. Through a blend of hyper-automation, education, and ecosystem building, he hopes to democratize access to powerful operational tools — so that every entrepreneur can scale, every worker can thrive, and every citizen can feel the benefits of smarter, faster, more human systems.
Alfredo Muñoz Brown
Alfredo Muñoz Brown has always known how to spot value, whether it’s in a private banking report, a team’s tenacity, or an entrepreneur with a dream. His journey started at just 16, exploring business opportunities in clothing and construction, and evolved through private banking and multiple ventures before building financial bridges for small businesses back home in Mexico. But his proudest accomplishment isn’t a title or a transaction , it’s NODO Financiero, a credit platform born from necessity, built with trust, and designed to serve.
NODO isn’t your typical lending institution. Alfredo didn’t just want to lend money, he wanted to redesign the relationship between those who have capital and those who need it. In a country where credit is often cold, transactional, and inaccessible, he and his co-founder Damián created a space rooted in flexibility, transparency, and community. Loans at NODO aren’t just spreadsheets and interest rates, they’re lifelines, growth tools, and shared commitments. Investors know where their money goes. Entrepreneurs know they’re more than a risk profile.
Alfredo’s background in private banking gave him the discipline and rigor to structure complex credit strategies. But it was the experience of starting NODO during a pandemic, with limited resources, multiple ventures in motion, and massive uncertainty, that taught him the true art of entrepreneurship: resilience, radical honesty, and the courage to keep building when everything says stop. His strength also lies in partnership. Damián brings structure and analysis. Alfredo brings relationships, agility, and boots-on-the-ground clarity. Together, they’ve created something rare, a financial firm that feels like a network of allies.
What keeps Alfredo moving isn’t just numbers, it’s impact. Every new business funded, every team that makes payroll because of a well-structured loan, every founder who turns the corner, those are the returns he values most. His long-term vision is bold: to build NODO into a next-generation institution, potentially even a bank, but one that always remembers its roots: personal, transparent, and purpose-driven.
By the end of 2025, Alfredo aims to grow NODO’s portfolio from $3 million to $5 million USD and expand its investor community without compromising the intimacy that sets it apart. But more than scale, his focus is on influence: changing how credit works in Mexico, proving that finance can be ethical and effective, and showing that behind every loan there’s a story, a risk worth taking, and a future worth building.
Damian Rozo Muñoz
Damian Rozo is a financial architect redefining how wealth is managed and multiplied in Latin America. As the founder of 360 Capital, a licensed multi-family office, and 360 ALT, its alternative investment arm, Damian is on a mission to build transparent, independent financial structures that outlast market cycles — and egos.
After years on Wall Street, witnessing the disconnect between client needs and institutional incentives, he chose to exit the traditional model. He didn’t want to sell products — he wanted to build legacies. At 360 Capital, the client pays for advice — not the bank — which means strategy comes before sales, and trust comes before commission.
He also co-founded NODO Financiero, a regulated credit firm offering flexible, transparent loans to small and medium businesses in Mexico. What began as a side initiative during the pandemic is now growing into a scalable platform — connecting investors with real companies, real stories, and real impact.
Damián’s edge lies in combining global experience with local insight. He understands how to talk to investment banks in the US and Europe and family-run businesses in Mexico — and build bridges between them. His portfolio today spans $30M+ in assets under management, with a goal of hitting $50M by the end of 2025. But for him, it’s not about the number — it’s about the structure behind it.
His vision? To create a new financial culture — one where families learn to preserve wealth across generations, entrepreneurs access funding without fine print, and finance regains its credibility as a force for good. Less noise. More clarity. That’s the standard Damian Rozo is here to set.
Julio Bueno
Julio Bueno didn’t just start a business: he continued a legacy and built a mission with a heartbeat. As the founder of KINDERSWIM, Julio took the 35-year-old method developed by his mother, Gabriela Legarreta, and transformed it into a powerful model for teaching aquatic survival to babies and children. Their method, rooted in physics and perfected over decades, helps children learn to swim in just four months — a revolutionary shift in a country where drowning remains a leading cause of accidental death in children.
Julio’s journey wasn’t planned — it was personal. A former competitive swimmer, he found himself pulled toward the world his mother had shaped: one where every class could mean saving a life. Together, they opened their first school, built around a core belief — that swim education should go beyond floating and fun. It should empower children with real survival skills. The school took off. Not just as a business, but as a force for change.
What sets KINDERSWIM apart isn’t just the method — it’s the mission. While many swim schools focus on adaptation or play-based learning, Julio’s approach is structured, measurable, and age-specific. Kids are grouped by skill and age, trained with intention, and taught to survive, not just splash. The method is patented. The results are powerful. And the vision is clear: fewer tragedies, more protected children.
Like any entrepreneur, Julio faced the chaos of wearing every hat — from instructor to receptionist, marketer to HR. But over time, he learned to delegate and structure the business. What keeps him going isn’t growth for the sake of growth — it’s knowing that every new branch, every new instructor trained, increases the number of children walking away with a silent but critical skill: how to stay alive in water.
By the end of 2025, KINDERSWIM plans to reach 1,500 students across four locations in Zapopan, Jalisco, laying the groundwork for a franchise model aimed at expanding across Latin America. But beyond numbers, Julio’s ultimate goal is social impact: to lower drowning rates, to create a culture of true swim education, and to leave behind a legacy where thousands of families can say, “My child is alive today because of KINDERSWIM.”
Victoria Motta
Victoria Motta is the co-founder of Petrona Boho Holding, a company born from her passion for conscious living and cultural authenticity. What began as a chain of sustainable fashion boutiques showcasing the artistry of Latin American creators has evolved into a multifaceted lifestyle brand. During the pandemic lockdown in Cartagena, Colombia, Victoria and her business partner—and brother-in-law—Cris Schlaubitz, turned inward to explore their culinary roots. That time of stillness led to the creation of Fitalicious, a wellness-forward restaurant in Tulum, Mexico, rooted in the philosophy that food is our most powerful medicine. Their mission: to nourish with intention and live in coherence—from the inside out.
Operating in the fashion, art, and culinary industries, Victoria’s ventures are unified by a single thread—authenticity. Petrona Boho Holding distributes artisanal fashion globally, from Colombia to Turkmenistan, while Fitalicious redefines gourmet dining through personalized, health-conscious cuisine. What sets Victoria’s work apart is her commitment to heritage and respect: whether curating a handmade garment or crafting a gluten-free tortilla, she honors the cultural origins and stories behind every creation. Fitalicious now ranks consistently among the top three restaurants in Tulum, celebrated for its elevated yet accessible approach to wellness.
One of Victoria’s greatest challenges as an entrepreneur has been managing multicultural teams across Colombia, Mexico, and the United States. Building a business in a rapidly growing town like Tulum brought logistical and cultural complexities—from navigating customs regulations to overcoming stereotypes about Latin American craftsmanship. But through persistent education, community engagement, and a refusal to compromise on quality or values, she has built a brand that elevates tradition without diluting it.
What drives Victoria is the people—artisans, chefs, and team members who bring her vision to life. As a Venezuelan, she feels a deep responsibility to prove that her community doesn’t wait for rescue but creates opportunity from resilience. Her business is a platform for honoring ancestral techniques, promoting nutritional empowerment, and celebrating originality as the truest form of luxury. Each tortilla, each piece of handwoven textile, becomes a vehicle for dignity, sustainability, and cultural pride.
Looking ahead, she plans to open two new boutique locations by the end of 2025 and continue expanding Fitalicious with summer pop-ups in Europe and a collaboration with a major wellness center. She is also releasing her first cookbook—an expression of her belief that true luxury lies in conscious nourishment. Through it all, she champions a movement she calls Cocina Coherente—“Coherent Cuisine”—where health, identity, and joy converge on every plate. For Victoria, entrepreneurship is not about comfort but about aligning action with values, and leaving a legacy rooted in truth.
Leslie Lara
Leslie Lara is the founder and creative director of LARQ Arquitectura y Diseño, a firm dedicated to delivering integral architectural and interior design solutions. Inspired from an early age by her father’s work ethic and her mother’s unwavering support, Leslie knew she was destined to shape the spaces where people live, work, and thrive. With a background in architecture, interior design, and real estate valuation, she spent years working with prominent firms and international companies before launching her own practice in 2019. Since then, she has led LARQ with the vision of offering turnkey projects that combine creativity, functionality, and refined aesthetics.
Operating in the fields of architecture, interior design, and construction, LARQ stands out for its personalized, client-centric approach. Leslie and her team are committed to transforming ideas into inspiring, tailor-made spaces that balance beauty with purpose. What differentiates her work is not only the technical expertise but also the strong focus on building collaborative relationships—with clients, brands, and fellow entrepreneurs, to bring exceptional results to life.
Her entrepreneurial journey is rooted in a deep motivation to bring her own ideas to fruition and collaborate with like-minded professionals. She views entrepreneurship as both an act of courage and self-love—a way to create freely, live passionately, and grow through each challenge. For Leslie, success isn’t about speed or comparison, but about staying true to one’s motivation, being resilient in the face of uncertainty, and always remaining open to learning.
Leslie has faced challenges familiar to many entrepreneurs, particularly learning to manage areas beyond her initial training, such as finance, leadership, and business strategy. Yet through consistency, focus, and emotional endurance, she has turned obstacles into growth opportunities. She believes fear is not an enemy, but a catalyst for stepping into the unknown, where innovation and growth reside.
Looking ahead, Leslie is focused on expanding LARQ’s global reach and deepening its impact through sustainable and innovative design. She remains committed to building meaningful collaborations and creating spaces that not only meet functional needs but also elevate the everyday experience. Guided by values like creativity, discipline, and ethical work, Leslie Lara continues to redefine what it means to design with heart, purpose, and vision.
Victor Garcia and Pilar Garcia
Pilar and Victor Garcia Bonilla are the sibling duo behind LATINA, one of the most impactful beauty startups redefining standards in the textured hair care industry. Born from Pilar’s pioneering community “Rizos Latinos” and Victor’s strategic vision, LATINA emerged in 2020 to offer more than just products, it launched a movement that celebrates identity, pride, and representation for millions of Latina women. What began as a social cause quickly evolved into a high-performance, purpose-driven beauty brand with a clear mission: to uplift and empower women through the celebration of their natural hair.
Pilar, CEO of LATINA, brings the emotional heart and cultural depth to the brand. As a passionate advocate for inclusion in beauty, she built a community of over 700,000 women before launching the brand. With LATINA, she not only offers clean, high-quality hair care solutions but also amplifies the voices and stories of those long ignored by the industry.
Victor, LATINA’s VP of Strategic Alliances, brought business acumen and relentless execution to the table. With two master’s degrees in law and a background in international negotiations, he was instrumental in securing LATINA’s placement in Sephora México and, most recently, in over 450 ULTA Beauty stores across the U.S. His visionary leadership and ability to forge high-level partnerships helped transform LATINA from a grassroots passion project into an internationally recognized brand.
Together, Pilar and Victor have built a company rooted in community, culture, and credibility. LATINA’s success is driven by its authenticity, listening directly to its customers, creating formulas free of sulfates, silicones, and parabens, and sourcing from local suppliers whenever possible. Beyond its product line, the brand is paving the way for more inclusive beauty narratives, while empowering women entrepreneurs and generating economic opportunities across Mexico and the U.S.
Looking ahead, the duo is determined to continue scaling LATINA with integrity and purpose. With plans to expand internationally, launch new Gen Z-focused product lines, and create training programs for women founders, Pilar and Victor are proving that a brand built from identity and intention can challenge industry giants, and win.
Ben Chestnut
Ben Chestnut is the quietly brilliant mind behind Mailchimp, the email marketing platform that revolutionized how small businesses connect with their audiences. Born and raised in Georgia, Chestnut co-founded Mailchimp in 2001 as a side project while running a web design business. What started as a scrappy tool for clients became a tech giant with millions of users worldwide—all built without a single dollar of venture capital.
Chestnut’s philosophy of “growing slow and staying private” challenged the Silicon Valley playbook. While others chased funding rounds, he focused on product, customer service, and culture. Under his leadership, Mailchimp grew into a bootstrapped behemoth, eventually selling to Intuit in 2021 for $12 billion.
What sets Chestnut apart isn’t just the scale of his success—it’s the way he achieved it: quietly, independently, and with deep respect for the people behind the business. His story is a powerful reminder that impact doesn’t always have to be loud, and that resilience, humility, and long-term vision still matter in the world of entrepreneurship.
Elon Musk
Elon Musk is a South African-born American entrepreneur and business magnate known for founding and leading multiple groundbreaking companies. He co-founded Zip2, an online city guide, which was sold to Compaq for $307 million. He then co-founded X.com, an online payment company that became PayPal and was acquired by eBay for $1.5 billion.
In 2002, Musk founded SpaceX with the goal of reducing space transportation costs to enable the colonization of Mars. He also became CEO and product architect of Tesla, Inc., aiming to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy. Under his leadership, Tesla became the most valuable carmaker globally.
Musk’s ventures extend to other innovative projects, including Neuralink, aiming to integrate the human brain with artificial intelligence, and The Boring Company, focusing on tunnel construction and infrastructure. In 2022, he acquired Twitter, rebranding it as X, with aspirations to create an “everything app.”
Known for his ambitious vision and relentless work ethic, Musk has been recognized as one of the world’s most influential people. His endeavors continue to push the boundaries of technology and innovation.
Jeff Bezos
Jeff Bezos is an American entrepreneur who played a key role in the growth of e-commerce as the founder and former CEO of Amazon.com, Inc. Born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 1964, he graduated from Princeton University with degrees in electrical engineering and computer science.
In 1994, Bezos founded Amazon as an online bookstore, which rapidly expanded into a vast e-commerce platform offering a wide variety of products. Under his guidance, Amazon became the largest retailer on the World Wide Web and a model for Internet sales.
Beyond Amazon, Bezos founded Blue Origin in 2000, a company focused on developing technologies to enable private human access to space. He also purchased The Washington Post in 2013, revitalizing the newspaper’s digital presence.
Bezos stepped down as Amazon’s CEO in 2021, transitioning to the role of executive chairman. His ventures continue to influence various industries, from e-commerce and cloud computing to space exploration and media.
Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey is a billionaire media executive, talk show host, actress, producer, and philanthropist. She is best known for her talk show, “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” which aired nationally for 25 years, from 1986 to 2011, and became one of the highest-rated programs of its kind in history.
Born in 1954 in Mississippi, Winfrey overcame a challenging childhood marked by poverty and abuse. She began her media career in radio and television broadcasting before launching her talk show, which became a platform for discussing a wide range of topics, including social issues, health, and self-improvement.
In 1986, she founded Harpo Productions, a multimedia production company, and later launched the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) in 2011. Her influence extends to publishing, with her book club selections often becoming bestsellers, and she has acted in several films, earning critical acclaim.
Winfrey is also known for her philanthropic efforts, including educational initiatives and support for various charities. Her journey from humble beginnings to media mogul has made her an inspirational figure worldwide.
Mark Cuban
Mark Cuban is an American entrepreneur, investor, and television personality. Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1958, he demonstrated business acumen from a young age, selling garbage bags door-to-door at age 12.
After graduating from Indiana University, Cuban co-founded MicroSolutions, a computer consulting service, which he sold in 1990. He later co-founded Broadcast.com, an internet radio company, which was acquired by Yahoo! for $5.7 billion in 1999.
Cuban purchased the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks in 2000, transforming the team into a championship contender and winning the NBA title in 2011. He is also known for his role as a “shark” investor on the television show “Shark Tank,” where he has invested in numerous startups.
Beyond sports and entertainment, Cuban has invested in various industries, including technology, healthcare, and media. He is an advocate for entrepreneurship and often shares advice on business and innovation.
Sara Blakely
Sara Blakely is an American entrepreneur and inventor, best known as the founder of Spanx, a company specializing in body-shaping undergarments. Born in Clearwater, Florida, in 1971, she graduated from Florida State University and initially worked selling fax machines door-to-door.
Frustrated with traditional undergarments, Blakely developed her own prototype for footless pantyhose, investing her savings to launch Spanx in 2000. Her innovative product gained popularity, leading to rapid business growth.
In 2012, Forbes named her the world’s youngest self-made female billionaire. Blakely has since expanded Spanx’s product line and has been recognized for her entrepreneurial achievements.
She is also known for her philanthropic efforts, including the Spanx by Sara Blakely Foundation, which supports women through education and entrepreneurship.
Daymond John
Daymond John is an American entrepreneur, investor, and television personality, best known as the founder and CEO of FUBU, a clothing brand that became a global fashion phenomenon. Born in Queens, New York, in 1969, he started FUBU in the early 1990s, targeting the urban market.
FUBU, which stands for “For Us, By Us,” gained popularity through strategic marketing and endorsements by hip-hop artists, achieving over $6 billion in global sales.
John is also a prominent investor on the television show “Shark Tank,” where he has invested in numerous startups. He is a motivational speaker and author, sharing insights on branding, marketing, and entrepreneurship.
Beyond business, John is involved in various philanthropic initiatives and serves as a Presidential Ambassador for Global Entrepreneurship.
Barbara Corcoran
Barbara Corcoran is an American businesswoman, investor, and television personality. Born in Edgewater, New Jersey, in 1949, she started her career as a waitress before co-founding The Corcoran Group, a real estate brokerage in New York City, with a $1,000 loan.
Under her leadership, The Corcoran Group became one of the city’s leading real estate firms. In 2001, she sold the company for $66 million.
Corcoran is widely recognized for her role as an investor on the television show “Shark Tank,” where she has invested in over 100 businesses. She is also a motivational speaker and author, sharing her experiences in business and entrepreneurship.
Her journey from humble beginnings to real estate mogul serves as an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs.
Richard Branson
Richard Branson is a British entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist best known as the founder of the Virgin Group, a multinational conglomerate with more than 400 companies across various industries. Born in Surrey, England, in 1950, Branson struggled with dyslexia as a child and dropped out of school at the age of 16. That same year, he launched his first business venture—a magazine called Student—which laid the foundation for his entrepreneurial journey. A few years later, he began selling records by mail order, a business that eventually evolved into Virgin Records, one of the most influential music labels of the 1970s and 1980s.
Virgin Records signed major artists such as the Sex Pistols, the Rolling Stones, and Janet Jackson, turning Branson into a millionaire by the age of 23. In the decades that followed, Branson expanded the Virgin brand into multiple sectors including airlines (Virgin Atlantic), telecommunications (Virgin Mobile), health (Virgin Active), and hospitality (Virgin Hotels). His bold marketing tactics and risk-taking approach to business helped distinguish Virgin as a globally recognized and trusted brand. He is known for his hands-on leadership style, often involving himself directly in marketing stunts and brand launches to generate media attention and consumer loyalty.
In the 2000s, Branson turned his attention to space travel with the creation of Virgin Galactic, a commercial spaceflight company aimed at making space tourism accessible to the public. After years of testing and development, Virgin Galactic successfully sent its founder to space aboard the VSS Unity in 2021, marking a historic moment in the emerging private space industry. Branson’s ventures into clean energy and environmental sustainability, such as Virgin Earth Challenge and investment in alternative fuels, also reflect his growing commitment to solving global challenges through innovation and enterprise.
Beyond his business ventures, Richard Branson is a prominent philanthropist and advocate for social change. Through Virgin Unite, the nonprofit foundation of the Virgin Group, he supports initiatives in education, climate change, human rights, and entrepreneurship in underserved communities. Branson is also a founding member of The Elders, a group of global leaders working for peace and human rights, originally convened by Nelson Mandela. With his adventurous spirit, sharp business acumen, and commitment to making a difference, Branson has become one of the most admired and influential entrepreneurs of the modern era.
Larry Page
Larry Page is an American computer scientist and entrepreneur who co-founded Google, the world’s leading search engine, alongside Sergey Brin. Born on March 26, 1973, in East Lansing, Michigan, Page was raised in a family immersed in computer science; his father was a computer science professor. He earned a Bachelor of Science in computer engineering from the University of Michigan and later pursued a Ph.D. at Stanford University, where he met Brin.
At Stanford, Page and Brin developed a search engine called “Backrub,” which analyzed the relationships between websites. This project evolved into Google, officially founded in 1998. Page served as Google’s CEO until 2001 and then again from 2011 to 2015.
In 2015, Page became the CEO of Alphabet Inc., Google’s newly formed parent company, overseeing various subsidiaries and “moonshot” projects. He stepped down from this role in 2019 but remains a board member and controlling shareholder. Page has also invested in ventures like flying car startups, including Kitty Hawk and Opener.
Sergey Brin
Sergey Brin is an American computer scientist and entrepreneur who co-founded Google with Larry Page. Born on August 21, 1973, in Moscow, Russia, Brin immigrated to the United States with his family at the age of six to escape anti-Semitic persecution. He earned a Bachelor of Science in mathematics and computer science from the University of Maryland and later pursued a Ph.D. at Stanford University, where he met Page.
At Stanford, Brin and Page developed the PageRank algorithm, which became the foundation for Google’s search engine. They launched Google in 1998, rapidly transforming it into the world’s most popular search engine. Brin served as Google’s president of technology and later as president of Alphabet Inc., Google’s parent company, until stepping down in 2019.
Beyond Google, Brin has been involved in various innovative projects, including Google’s self-driving car initiative and Google Glass. He has also invested in health and biotechnology ventures, reflecting his interest in life sciences and technology.
Brin’s journey from an immigrant child to a tech industry leader exemplifies the impact of innovation and entrepreneurship. His work has significantly influenced how information is accessed and utilized, shaping the digital age.
Howard Schultz
Howard Schultz is an American businessman and author best known for transforming Starbucks from a small regional coffee chain into a global brand. Born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1953, Schultz grew up in a working-class housing complex and was the first in his family to attend college, earning a degree from Northern Michigan University. After working in sales at Xerox, he joined Starbucks in 1982 as director of retail operations and marketing, when the company had only a handful of stores.
Inspired by a trip to Italy where he observed the café culture in Milan, Schultz envisioned Starbucks as a place not just to buy coffee, but to gather and build community. In 1987, he purchased the company from its original founders and began expanding aggressively, opening stores across the U.S. and eventually around the world. Under his leadership, Starbucks became synonymous with premium coffee and the modern café experience, while also pioneering employee benefits like health care for part-time workers and stock options.
Schultz served as CEO from 1987 to 2000, returned in 2008 to help stabilize the company during the financial crisis, and stepped down again in 2017. During his tenure, Starbucks grew to over 30,000 locations globally. He also advocated for corporate social responsibility, including ethical sourcing, environmental initiatives, and job creation programs for veterans and youth. His approach blended business success with progressive values.In addition to his business career, Schultz is a public speaker and author of several books, including Pour Your Heart Into It and From the Ground Up. He has explored political involvement as well, briefly considering an independent run for U.S. president in 2019. Schultz’s journey from poverty to corporate success remains a powerful story of vision, resilience, and socially conscious leadership.
