Tag: Entrepreneurship

Alejandro Matamala, Runway: Unlocking AI potential to streamline multimedia content creation, Ep. 199

Alejandro Matamala Crossing Borders

You can now find the full show notes of the Crossing Borders podcast on LatamList.com’s new podcast section. I’ll still post the audio of the podcast on my blog and I’m planning to start writing more again on my blog, like I used to.

Subscribe to the LatamList Weekly newsletter to get updated on the week’s top tech news and stories from the region.

Thanks for listening to Crossing Borders all these years! If you have any feedback or questions, please feel free to reach out here, or contact me on social media.

Outline of this episode:

  • [01:44] – About Runway
  • [03:57] – Runway’s tools
  • [05:49] – From founding a design studio to creating AI-Powered tools
  • [07:31] – Having a business while studying at college
  • [09:14] – About Deenty
  • [12:30] – Lessons learned from building three different companies
  • [13:54] – Jumping to the US
  • [18:07] – The breakthrough of generative AI 
  • [20:30] – The fundraising process through the years
  • [22:50] – The future of generative AI tools
  • [26:28] – Alejandro’s documentary recommendation
  • [27:24] – Advice to Alejandro’s younger self
  • [35:23] – What’s next for Runway?

Shownotes on Latamlist.com

Stefan Moller, Klar: Changing the way Mexicans think about money, Ep 167

Stafan Moller

You can now find the full show notes of the Crossing Borders podcast on LatamList.com’s podcast section. I’ll still post the audio of the podcast on my blog and I’m planning to start writing more again on my blog, like I used to.

Subscribe to the LatamList Weekly newsletter to get updated on the week’s top tech news and stories from the region.

Thanks for listening to Crossing Borders all these years! If you have any feedback or questions, please feel free to reach out here, or contact me on social media.

Outline of this episode:

  • [01:35] – About Klar
  • [02:01] – How Klar is an alternative to traditional financial services
  • [03:55] – The problem with traditional banks 
  • [05:30] – Stefan’s background
  • [07:35] – Growing up across different cultures 
  • [09:16] – Stories of Stefan’s past businesses
  • [11:25] – Lessons learned through his path in entrepreneurship 
  • [13:00] – Why did Stefan fund Klar?
  • [15:50] – Creating Klar from the start
  • [18:38] – Stefan’s take on neobanks
  • [20:58] – Discussing the exit of Citi’s retail banking from Mexico
  • [22:58] – Fintech’s strategy of bundling services and products
  • [25:05] – Raising funding rounds for Klar 
  • [27:15] – Advice for younger self
  • [29:26] – Book recommendations
  • [30:30] – The future of Klar

Shownotes on Latamlist.com

Banafsheh Fathieh, Prosus Ventures: Betting on Latin American entrepreneurial spirit, Ep 166

Banafsheh Fathieh photo

You can now find the full show notes of the Crossing Borders podcast on LatamList.com’s podcast section. I’ll still post the audio of the podcast on my blog and I’m planning to start writing more again on my blog, like I used to.

Subscribe to the LatamList Weekly newsletter to get updated on the week’s top tech news and stories from the region.

Thanks for listening to Crossing Borders all these years! If you have any feedback or questions, please feel free to reach out here, or contact me on social media.

Outline of this episode:

  • [01:25] – About Prosus Ventures
  • [02:47] – What types of companies does Prosus invest in?
  • [05:40] – Banafsheh’s background
  • [07:59] – Diplomatic training’s lessons
  • [09:17] – First connection to Latin America
  • [12:15] – Evolution of investment thesis in Latin America.
  • [15:39] – Receiving investment from a fund vs. from Prosus Ventures
  • [18:23] – Some of Prosus’ most interesting investments
  • [23:02] – Being a bullish investor for Latin America
  • [27:30] – Advice for founders
  • [29:15] – Banafsheh’s recommendations
  • [30:30] – Advice to Banafsheh’s younger self
  • [32:18] – What’s next for Prosus Ventures?

Shownotes on Latamlist.com

Greatest Hits Episode: Mariana Castillo, Ben & Frank: Direct-to-Consumer Eyewear for the Mexican Market, Ep 159

Mariana_Castillo_Ben_Frank

You can now find the full show notes of the Crossing Borders podcast on LatamList.com’s new podcast section. I’ll still post the audio of the podcast on my blog and I’m planning to start writing more again on my blog, like I used to.

Subscribe to the LatamList Weekly newsletter to get updated on the week’s top tech news and stories from the region.

Thanks for listening to Crossing Borders all these years! If you have any feedback or questions, please feel free to reach out here, or contact me on social media.

Outline of this episode:

  • [1:37] – About Ben & Frank
  • [2:06] – Traditional retail experience for eyewear in Mexico
  • [3:23] – Mexican roots, nomadic upbringing
  • [5:05] – Entrepreneurial journey
  • [6:00] – Internship at ALLVP
  • [6:55] – Lessons learned at the Central Bank and ALLVP
  • [7:55] – Why tackle this specific problem?
  • [9:04] – Ben & Frank’s inflection point
  • [11:48] – Building a brand in Mexico
  • [13:15] – Insights into Latam’s direct-to-consumer category
  • [14:20] – Competing with traditional retailers
  • [17:25] – Expanding Mexican direct-to-consumer brands
  • [18:15] – Advice to Mariana’s younger self
  • [18:41] – Fundraising for a direct-to-consumer startup
  • [23:18] – Being a female founder in Latam
  • [26:35] – Avoiding biases in the VC ecosystem 
  • [29:07] – What’s next for Mariana and Ben & Frank?

Show notes on Latamlist.com.