Are you thinking of scaling your social enterprise? Or expanding your operations to another market or country?
On September 16, 2024, PIM hosted our September 10th Anniversary event titled, “From Local to Global: How to Scale Your Enterprise” where seasoned serial entrepreneur and CEO of Ingenieros Top International (Neutraly) and Co-Founder of PARLS, Jose Luis Vilcahuaman shared invaluable insights on how to expand your social enterprise to new markets and countries successfully.
Drawing from his experience scaling two different enterprises across Latin America, Jose provided practical strategies for international growth including how to create scalable products, how to determine the right time to scale, how to ensure product-market fit, and how to overcome unexpected political, legal, and economic challenges.
5 Key Takeaways for Scaling Your Enterprise
Understanding When and How to Scale
Scaling a business globally requires careful timing and strategy. José emphasized the importance of allowing the “market to guide” the decision on when to expand and where to grow. He used the example of Colombia, where customer demand indicated it was time to scale into that market.
Adapting to Local Markets
Challenging assumptions is crucial when expanding into new markets. Even countries that seem culturally or geographically close may have significant differences. For example, José found that payment systems like PayPal, which worked well in Peru, were not widely used in Colombia, which required his company to provide other payment options for their Colombian customers.
The Importance of Customer Feedback
José highlighted the value of staying connected with customers, sometimes by going “undercover” to gather honest feedback. This customer-centric approach helped him refine his products and better understand market needs in each new country.
Leveraging International Support
Partnering with international organizations and accelerators can provide vital resources and mentorship. José’s experience with the Royal Academy of Engineering in the UK, which supported his ventures through multiple accelerator programs, played a key role in his success.
Staying Flexible and Open to Learning
José stressed the need to stay agile and adaptable, particularly when managing operations across different countries. From legal regulations to cultural differences, each market presents unique challenges that require ongoing learning and flexibility.
These insights provide practical advice and strategies for entrepreneurs looking to scale their businesses globally, highlighting the importance of adaptability, customer focus, and leveraging external resources.
Memorable Quotes From Jose Luis Vilcahuaman
About Our Speaker
Jose Luis Vilcahuaman – CEO of Ingenieros Top International (Neutraly) and Co-Founder of PARLS
Jose Luis Vilcahuaman is the CEO and founder of a Startup that provides comprehensive solutions to empower organizations and individuals to advance the Net Zero transition through more sustainable infrastructure. His startup has empowered individuals globally and possesses a Social Return on Investment (SROI) of 1:44 according to an independent analysis (OYW, UK). The startup was selected by the Royal Academy of Engineering (UK) as a top company from over 1400 technological companies, and backed by the Startup Peru 6G fund and the Peruvian Council for Science and Technology.
Prior to this experience, he founded a project that developed solar energy technologies for rural towns in the Peruvian Andes. The project was recognized by the National Congress of the Republic of Peru, and by Bayer Young Community Innovators (BYCI) as one of the most outstanding innovative science-based solutions in Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, and Ecuador.
He began his career working for the largest power transmission project in Peru that currently benefits over 5 million Peruvians by providing more reliable and sustainable electricity. Throughout his career, he was recognized as one of the 30 young leaders building a carbon-neutral future by One Young World and BP (London, UK), and named Leader in Innovation Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering RAEng (UK), Global Shaper of the World Economic Forum, Ambassador of the Institute for Economics and Peace IEP (Sydney) and The U.S. Department of State Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative Fellow (USA).
Mr. Vilcahuaman has also been awarded an official distinction from the National Congress of the Republic of Peru and appointed as the official delegate of Peru in the Future Leaders and Young Engineers Committee of the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO).
Contact Jose Luis Vilcahuaman
Email: jvilcahuamant@uni.pe
LinkedIn: @joseluisvilcahuamantovar/
Upcoming Events
FarmAI’s Startup Journey: Innovation, Challenges, and Triumphs in Agritech
Join us for an engaging webinar that dives into the dynamic journey of FarmAI, a cutting-edge startup transforming the agricultural landscape. FarmAI was the Second-place winner of the 2022 Huawei Seeds for the Future Global Startup Competition and not only went on to win $100,000 in investment from Huawei, but was also personally congratulated by the President of Algeria.
In this session, we’ll explore the highs and lows of building a groundbreaking Agritech company like FarmAI. Hear firsthand from the founding team members as they share candid insights into the challenges faced, milestones achieved, and the unpredictable nature of their entrepreneurial adventure. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to better understand what it takes to navigate the startup world.
Date: October 26, 2024
Time: 5:30pm Beijing | 10:30am GMT+1
Format: Online Zoom Webinar
Sign up now! https://shorturl.at/474bj
For more information on future PIM 10th Anniversary events, please visit https://www.pimglobal.org/celebrations/
Other Social Entrepreneurial Resources
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Global Innovation Fund: Invests in social innovations that improve the lives of people in developing countries.
https://www.globalinnovation.fund/
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The Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship: A sister organization of the World Economic Forum, offering a network and resources for social entrepreneurs.
https://www.schwabfound.org/
- Masters of Scale: Hosted by Reid Hoffman, it explores how companies and social ventures grow and scale. https://mastersofscale.com/
