There is a lot happening in the Latino business world, especially here in the Bay Area. Two local startup companies recently won national competitions. A new, national non-profit organization for Latino businesses has been created. And a new search for the nation’s top Latino Startup of the Year has been launched.
Latino-founded, Latino-focused company, Interesante, was recently named Dream Big Champion by Dream Big America (www.DreamBigAmerica.us), which presents business startups on its nationally-syndicated radio show. Based in Menlo Park, Interesante (www.Interesante.com) is a smart search engine specifically for the Latino community that allows users to discover and share things that most interest them. After winning a preliminary round of the Dream Big competition, the Bay Area company competed against other finalists, FanzLive and Try the World, in the finals round on January 28th.
"Nine great startups presented on Dream Big America this month, but these startups rose to the top," said the Dream Big America host Doug Stephan. "It was a diverse group of entrepreneurs from all regions of the country, and they each had a unique business concept."
After securing the highest voting support from the show's listening audience and startup supporters around the country, Interesante was announced as the January Dream Big Champion and the recipient of a prize package of business resources from Dream Big America sponsors.
Emerson Malca, 26, lives in San Francisco and is the CEO and co-founder of StudyRoom, a mobile app platform (www.getstudyroom.com) that allows students to connect with their classmates to share notes, study guides and easily organize study groups. In December, StudyRoom was selected as the winner of the Latino Startup Alliance’s Innovator Competition that took place in San Francisco.
“The idea of the application was inspired because I really want to help students to be more organized,” he says. “An application for students to help each other.”
Originally from Peru, Malca visited the tech museum in San Jose when he was 12 - he was inspired by it and wanted to build something big.
Speaking of the Latino Startup Alliance competition, Malca says it’s important to motivate Latinos when they are still in college to attend such events.
“You have to get out - you can start attending events,” he says. “Networking is one of the ways to meet people, go to an event - you can meet people who will be happy to help you.”
Though Latino entrepreneurs are achieving more success and recognition, they still need support from business groups such as the Latino Startup Alliance (LSA).
Based in San Francisco, LSA is an organization that encourages the inspiration and cultivation of Latino-led technology ventures by providing a strong support network. LSA recently announced it has expanded to become a national, non-profit organization with the support of the Hispanicize company.
“Our message to Latino tech entrepreneurs is that if there is truly a market to fund your ideas and innovations, LSA will cultivate those opportunities,” said LSA co-founder Manny Ruiz, who in 2008 sold his first tech media startup for $5.5 million. “We will focus on tech inclusion for Latinos who wish to play in the world of Silicon Valley and tech.”
LSA and Hispanicize also recently announced the launch of a national competition for the nation’s top Latino Startup of the Year. Competitions will be for startup companies in social media, journalism, film, music, marketing, and entertainment.
As part of the contest, Hispanicize will fly three finalists to Miami to present their ideas live before a prestigious group of investors and entrepreneurs on Thursday, April 3. The grand-prize winner will receive introductions to investors and national media coverage.
Emerson Malca understands the importance of such events and exposure to investors.
“It is about finding people who can believe in us and can see the potential,” he says. “It has to be up to us to prove that we can make great products and get their trust and support.”
On entrepreneurship, Malca is very clear about what is required for success.
“You have to be super strong, and you have to be passionate about what you are doing,” he states. “Be fearless - you have to think that you can do anything and everything is possible.”