About the company

Vostu is a social network that connects existing communities in Latin America through a single media and content platform. It is the first network built by Latin Americans for Latin Americans.

What are your day-to-day responsibilities?

Improving the product, building the community (marketing), and managing the company on a macro level.

Most notable milestones

We launched a few months back and have been growing our presence in the largest countries in the region (i.e. Mexico, Argentina, Peru). Today, we have 30+ people on the ground who are helping us build the online community.

What’s the niche?

The niche is specifically Latin American youth, i.e. high school and college students who spend just as much time online as do those in the U.S. With broadband penetration rates skyrocketing in the region, we hope this niche expands not only in age but also socio-economic breadth.

What’s the biggest challenge?

Evangelizing on a new concept – a Pan-Latin American media platform. Most people identify more readily with their immediate communities – i.e. People in Monterrey see themselves as “norteños” and would rather connect with people within their own community rather than someone in Buenos Aires. The real challenge for us is in striking a balance between having very localized networks but that have enough of a continental appeal for anyone else in the region – i.e. I can be part of a high school social network but if I want to connect with someone in another country I can do so. Anyone can launch a social network – few can understand the cultural and national subtleties that make this region so unique and important in the years to come from a consumer internet standpoint.

What’s in store for the future?

An exciting new platform launch. Expect a Vostu 3.0 sometime around the middle of July.

Best way to keep a competitive edge

Always think locally but act globally. We’re not another Facebook clone (i.e. Estudiln.net, Nosuni), we’re actually trying to build a Latin American media company. At the end of the day, it’s all about the people. Our team understands the market, the local needs, and is agile enough to respond to any changing conditions that might affect our overall strategy.

Guiding principle in life

Being passionate about what you’re doing and being able to drive value by harnessing that kind of energy is really powerful. I’m inspired by my work as CEO of Vostu because building a media and communications platform for Latin America has always been a dream of mine. If I can have an impact, even at a minuscule level, then it will have all been worthwhile.

Yardstick of success

A lot of what I’ve already mentioned – in a nutshell – having an impact on the region through thought-leadership. When Vostu and “Che” are seen as Latin American icons.

Goal yet to be achieved

Improved product (to be launched soon), aggressive market penetration, getting to scale.

Supportive words from a family member or friend on your venture

“You’re not here because you want to be cash or king, you’re here to follow a dream.”

Mentors?

My parents have been supporting me since the beginning, Mario (Vostu’s CTO): he and I both complement and challenge each other in a very powerful way. HBS Professors have really been instrumental in advising us and driving value, Professor Sahlman in particular.

What motivated you to get started?

I saw the market opportunity, the challenge, and coupled that with a desire to build something.

Like best about what you do?

Working with people that inspire me

Like least about what you do?

Startup life can be taxing on your personal life.

At age 10, what did you want to be when you grew up?

An actor

What was your first job?

Store clerk for a Hallmark shop in Honduras.

Biggest pastime outside of work

DJ, I’m a big fan of house music.

Person most interested in meeting?

Gabriel Garcia Marquez, in my opinion, he understands the Latin American dream better than anyone else in the region.

Leader in business most interested in meeting and why?

Carlos Slim, he is most successful entrepreneur in Latin America.

Three interesting facts about yourself

1. I speak five languages.
2. I played the piano for seven years.
3. I started my own youth-focused humanitarian organization when I was 16.

Three characteristics that describe you

1. Patient
2. Thoughtful
3. Charismatic

Three greatest passions

1. Media
2. The environment (renewable energy)
3. Helping people

Favorite book

“The Sun Also Rises” by Ernest Hemingway

Favorite cause

The environment, I want to become more involved with renewable energy projects.

Who would you like to be contacted by?

Latin American PR agencies, media companies, local web designers, high school and college students in Latin American who want to be our campus reps!