"The competition gave us the opportunity to present Viatik to a panel of judges made up of leading figures in Uruguay's entrepreneurial ecosystem," says Gonzalo, adding, "Winning it gave me the advantage of skipping one of the interviews in the program's selection process."
The entire process included additional interviews, this time with representatives from Start Global and venture capital firms, covering topics ranging from business matters to personal and leadership issues.
Mentoring and networking
Gonzalo describes his experience in Switzerland as a "constant learning process" and a source of connections. "We attended classes and workshops led by successful entrepreneurs on finance, fundraising, and business models. We also pitched our startup to investors who provided us with key feedback," he says.
He also highlights the value of being surrounded by 29 other entrepreneurs from Latin America and Africa: "We constantly support one another. If you have a question, there's always someone who can help you."
Differences in the entrepreneurial ecosystem
"Uruguay is doing very well in terms of public support for entrepreneurship, with incubators such as ANDE, ANII, and Uruguay XXI. Other countries in the region don't have such well-defined structures to support startups," he says. However, he notes that private capital in Uruguay is still limited compared to larger markets.
Gonzalo is not only running the program in Switzerland, but he and his partners are also taking their startup to other markets, thereby expanding Viatik throughout the region.
Expansion in Argentina
The decision to bring Viatik to Argentina was driven by economic factors. "In 2024, gasoline prices rose by 100% and bus fares by 300%. We believe it was the perfect time to offer our solution," says Gonzalo.
In addition, they took advantage of the summer season to raise $300,000 in funding from angel investors and with support from ANII.
One of the main challenges in the new market was solving the "chicken-and-egg problem": attracting both drivers and passengers at the same time. "We achieved this through user-generated viral content and digital marketing strategies," he reveals.
Future plans
In January, Viatik reached 2,600 seats sold, with 700 of those on the BuenosMar Plata route. “The expansion continues with Buenos Aires–Rosario and Buenos Aires–Córdoba, and in Uruguay with Montevideo–Colonia and Montevideo–Salto,” Gonzalo says.
ORT Training
For Gonzalo, his college education has been instrumental in his entrepreneurial journey.
"What I value most about the program is its solid methodological foundation. It gives you the tools to learn quickly and efficiently."
He also highlights the importance of the university ecosystem: "Being part of ORT allowed me to connect with other entrepreneurs and learn from their experiences. College doesn't just provide you with technical knowledge; it also teaches you how to solve problems and work as part of a team—skills that are essential for entrepreneurship."
Lessons from a Young Entrepreneur
At 22, Gonzalo emphasizes that the key to success is fully understanding the problem to be solved and how to deliver value to users. "Expansion is simply about replicating what you've already done well."
For students who dream of starting their own business, his advice is clear: "If you're at ORT, go to the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Surrounding yourself with experienced entrepreneurs gives you a clearer perspective. And if you have an idea, go for it: no one is going to do it for you."
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