What does this recognition mean?
Being included in the ranking of influential figures in the business world (Merco)* is a recognition of a career spanning more than 23 years dedicated to helping startups grow.
At the CIE, we have helped revitalize the sector, create jobs, and boost exports. Although this is an individual award, it would not have been possible without the support of the entire university community—including colleagues, mentors, and even my family—who helped me succeed.
"It's like a shot in the arm to keep going. Being recognized by a community comes with a great deal of responsibility. It confirms that we're on the right track with the work we've done."
How do you view the entrepreneurial sector in Uruguay today, and what are your expectations for the future?
We are currently witnessing a period of rapid growth in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. For the first time, a number of factors are coming together: our country is becoming a hub for innovation, with the infrastructure to support digital-based growth platforms, highly skilled university-educated professionals, and major companies that have established a presence in Uruguay (including Microsoft, Newlab, and TCS).
The combination of infrastructure, talent, and the involvement of major companies, coupled with policies that have been implemented in recent years, has led to a period of growth for the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
I see a very bright future for Uruguay, as it shifts its export structure over the long term—moving from a country that exports commodities to one that exports knowledge. Little by little, this sector is establishing itself as one of the key export sectors, encompassing both services and products.
* Merco (Corporate Reputation Business Monitor) is the leading corporate reputation monitor in Latin America, having assessed companies’ reputations since 2000. It is a tool based on a multi-stakeholder methodology comprising six assessments and more than twenty sources of information.
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