After investingUSD 200,000 in four companies over the last year, it plans to increase its commitment in 2026, deepening its ties with the Uruguayan entrepreneurial ecosystem.
"I realized that where I added the most value was not in day-to-day operations, but in strategy. That allowed me to seek out new opportunities."
When strategy outweighs operations
Elías began his professional career developing software, but as his company grew, his role changed. The technical team gained autonomy, and he began to focus on strategic decisions, marketing, and the business model.
"As a programmer analyst, you can grow by developing, leading technology, or managing teams. In my case, the team was already prepared, and I began to contribute more from a strategic perspective," he notes.
That transition was key to making the leap into investing: fewer hours spent on day-to-day operations and more focus on identifying opportunities, analyzing digital businesses, and supporting entrepreneurs.
What an angel investor looks for
When it comes to investing, Elías is clear: not all ideas have the same chance of success. Therefore, he prioritises indicators that reduce risk.
The first factor is the team. A good team can change the product, pivot, and keep trying until it works.
The second major filter is commercial validation.
"The most difficult stage is turning an idea into something that someone is willing to pay for. I prefer to get involved once that validation has already happened."
Therefore, he primarily invests in B2B SaaS and niche digital products, models he is familiar with and considers more predictable when scaling.
Investments focused on scalable digital businesses
Among the companies in which it has invested are software projects, online education, and digital platforms with regional reach. They all share a common logic: clear models, proven traction, and growth potential.
By 2026, the plan is to continue along these lines. "I'm going to continue investing in B2B SaaS and online education in specific niches, with the idea of repeating last year's investment and increasing it."
Strategic and human support
His role as an investor is not limited to funding. Elías actively participates in the growth of the companies he invests in, with weekly meetings, metric analysis, commercial strategy, and the definition of growth levers.
I work hard on growth, marketing, and strategy, but also on the human side. Entrepreneurship is very stressful, and not everything is about the technical aspects.
In some cases, it even buys shares from the founders. "After years without recouping the investment, the wear and tear is enormous. Buying a portion of those shares can greatly alleviate that pressure."
Artificial intelligence and the new role of the programmer analyst
In addition to his role as an investor, Elías has a very clear view of how artificial intelligence is transforming the profile of the programmer analyst.
The role does not disappear, it mutates. The programmer analyst becomes a kind of technological director of multiple artificial intelligences.
As he explains, today a developer can orchestrate AI agents that program, test, design, and deploy products in times that were unthinkable until recently.
"In one week, you can do what used to take a year. But to do that, you have to understand the product, the requirements, and how to coordinate those tools."
The future, he says, lies less in writing code line by line and more in technically leading complex products, a profile similar to that of a Technical Lead or Product Manager.
Entrepreneurial ecosystem and regional perspective
Closely connected to the local ecosystem, Elías actively participates in spaces such as the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Ingenio, URUCAP, and Endeavor.
“Uruguay has enormous talent. My thesis today is to grow from Uruguay to Latin America: same language, large markets, and very solid teams.”
A journey that is just beginning
Ten years after his first venture, which was unsuccessful, Elías is approaching this new stage with perspective.
“Entrepreneurship means failure. The important thing is to keep trying until something works.”
Today, as an angel investor, his goal is clear: to support digital talent, strengthen the ecosystem, and generate more scalable technology businesses from Uruguay to the region.
I am just starting out on this path. You learn something new every day, but the opportunity is now.
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