Semana Emprende: Promoting entrepreneurial spirit at UVG
Date:
June 6, 2024
Date:
June 6, 2024
By: José Daniel González
Starting a business takes work. It requires effort and taking risks. It can be a highly complex task and full of uncertainties, especially for the youngest entrepreneurs. To help young people direct their careers as entrepreneurs, different experts met at Universidad del Valle de Guatemala (UVG) during Semana Emprende (Entrepreneur Week).
Semana Emprende was organized by the UVG Club Emprende, with the support of the ASPIRE Project. It consisted of educational and motivational talks. In addition, participants enjoyed the Emprende Fair, which showcased ventures promoted by members of the UVG community, with the goal of motivating the entrepreneurial spirit within UVG students.
About the talks
Roberto Rodriguez, CEO of Argos, shared his journey as an entrepreneur and how he achieved success. That same day, the CEO and Co-Founder of Paggo gave a talk about innovation in Fintechs (the use of technological advances for the design, supply and demand of products and services) in Guatemala. Finally, Juan Jorge Coronado, COO and founder of PAQ Wallet, addressed the essential skills that a technological entrepreneur must develop.
Later, Carmen Lucía Mejía, general manager and founder of ID Creative Boutique, discussed the power of storytelling as an innovative and effective way to market and advertise a venture.
The Emprende Fair ventures
The Emprende Fair served as a valuable platform to elevate the visibility and marketing efforts for some emerging startups and entrepreneurs within the UVG community.
At the UVG Paiz-Riera square, booths were setup, hosted by ventures founded by members of the UVG Community. A wide variety of businesses and original products could be found at the fair, from jewelry with Lucky Stone and Nakit, to gifts for different occasions with Hechos Para Ti and Algo_Q_regalar.
There were also artisanal products presented by Luna Artesanal. Beads by pau and Francy showed their fashion accessories. Galaxy_6474 was also there with fun sports and movie t-shirt designs.
A Unique Networking Opportunity
Semana Emprende provided a space for current and budding entrepreneurs at UVG to learn from top professionals, build lasting connections, and access valuable resources. Participants were empowered to seek guidance, expand their networks, and acquire essential tools for their businesses, supporting them in their path toward success and growth.
About ASPIRE
The Achieving Sustainable Partnerships for Innovation, research and Entrepreneurship (ASPIRE) Project is a five-year, $15 million project funded by USAID and implemented by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Universidad del Valle de Guatemala (UVG), and the Guatemalan Exporters Association (AGEXPORT), with the goal of creating a world-class replicable model for how universities, in collaboration with the private sector, government, and local communities, can respond to local and regional development needs. The project implements a collaborative approach, based on MIT’s experience in the innovation ecosystem.