In addition to representing Uruguay in this unique experience, Agustín is the founder of Ventia, a startup that developed a sales CRM designed to improve salespeople's productivity.
“The program lasts a week, but I’m staying for three months,” he says from San Francisco.
“I came to explore the ecosystem, meet entrepreneurs, and look for opportunities that will help my project grow or connect me with startups I’d really like to collaborate with.”
An opportunity that aligns with your dreams
Agustín found out about the Puentes program on LinkedIn and immediately started getting messages from friends: “They told me, ‘This is for you.’ It was exactly what I was looking for: living in this city and connecting with people who are building technology.”
The application process required submitting a resume and a technical video. He submitted an application he developed that works like ChatGPT, but can be used locally on a computer without an internet connection.
A total of eight young people were selected to participate in the program: six from Uruguay and two from Argentina. The program was designed by a Uruguayan living in Silicon Valley with the goal of bringing technical talent to the heart of the global entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Firsthand knowledge
For a week, participants attend talks with startup founders, such as Guillermo Rauch, the Argentine behind Vercel, a U.S.-based company that simplifies the development of websites and apps and is widely used by developers around the world. “These are people who have already raised capital or are building their teams. Talking to them really opens your mind,” says Agustín.
That direct contact with the people leading global technological development is one of the program’s key strengths. “Here, you have access to the people who are building the tools we use every day. You’re just three blocks away from them or sharing a cup of coffee,” he says.
From ORT to the world, with an entrepreneurial spirit
Agustín founded Ventia when he was just starting college. Today, at 23, he is in his fifth semester of the Bachelor’s degree in Systems, although his education has been interrupted by the growth of his company.
“My degree gave me a way of thinking and organizing ideas that was key to starting my own business.”
“What’s more, thanks to the university, I ended up at the CIE—ORT’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship—where I was able to start developing Ventia and connect with a community that shared my interests. It was my first real exposure to the world of entrepreneurship.”
His startup, which began as a side project while he was in school, is now in a phase of expansion and exploration. Although he can’t reveal all the details yet, he plans to continue growing internationally: “The idea is to expand Ventia and use everything I’m learning here to help the project grow.”
Silicon Valley as a place in the world
In addition to the technical skills he’s gained, Agustín highlights the value of San Francisco’s work ethic. “It’s a city built for building. Most people are either working on their startups or working during the day and building at night. There are no distractions—everything revolves around creating.”
One of the most important lessons he’s learned so far is the power of a good story. “Every time I come to the United States, it becomes clearer to me: sometimes what really makes the difference is how you tell your story. Not just to secure investment, but to get people on board with your project. People want to be part of a success story; they want to feel like they’re part of something that’s going to grow. If you can effectively convey your vision, you can open many doors,” he says.
Agustín draws inspiration from role models such as Nicolás López, founder of Horizon, also a graduate of the school, and entrepreneurs like Guillermo Rauch. The graduate wraps up the talk with a clear reflection: “Here, I feel like I’ve found my place in the world.”
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