Día del Fundador Latino: A celebration of Latino entrepreneurship in Washington State, entirely in spanish

WENATCHEE - NCW Tech Alliance and Community for the Advancement of Family Education (CAFE) have announced Día del Fundador Latino (Latino Founder Day). This unique event will be entirely in Spanish, with a focus on empowering and celebrating Latino entrepreneurs. It will be held Wednesday, April 17, from 10:00 a.m to 3:00 p.m. at the Wenatchee Convention Center and offers education, inspiration, and networking.

Día del Fundador Latino will include workshops, expert talks, exhibitors, and consulting with the goal of covering both traditional business and startup development in terms of validation, scalability, and funding. "In 2021, Latino startups received only 2 percent of all US VC funding. Given our vibrant Latino entrepreneurial community, it's imperative we work to move the needle by providing support that resonates culturally and linguistically," stated Jenny Rojanasthien.

A lineup of distinguished speakers are traveling from across the US and Mexico to present. Among others, speakers include Sandra Velasquez of Nopalera featured on Shark Tank Season 14, Sebastian Garzon a Texas Top 100 for 2024, Suleiny Altamirano current VP of Association of Latino Professionals For America. The diverse backgrounds and achievements of the speakers reflect the event's overarching goal: to inspire and guide the next generation of Latino business leaders.

Día del Fundador Latino is generously supported by the Washington State Microenterprise Association (WSMA) through a grant made by the Washington State Department of Commerce, Chelan County, and Washington Trust Bank. Don't miss this unparalleled opportunity to connect with entrepreneurs, learn from industry leaders, and celebrate Latino entrepreneurship. 

It’s free to attend Día del Fundador Latino. Registration is open at ncwtech.org

Attendees of Día del Fundador Latino are invited to continue on to the Flywheel Investment Conference.The Flywheel Conference begins on  April 17 at 5:00 p.m. through April 19. Flywheel tickets are $299 and available for the public to purchase.

Meet the distinguished speakers who will be presenting at Día del Fundador Latino: 

Sandra Velasquez, Nopalera, New York City, NY

Sandra Velasquez is the Chicana founder of Nopalera, a culture forward bath & body brand powered by the Mexican nopal. She launched Nopalera in the middle of the pandemic from her Brooklyn apartment with no outside funding or savings while working three jobs and raising her daughter. The brand can be found in Nordstrom, Credo, and over 400 boutiques nationwide. She is the winner of five grants and appeared on Shark Tank Season 14 where she turned down two offers by standing in her worth. After bootstrapping for two years she raised 2.6 Million in a seed round in 2022. Velasquez hosts The Nopalera Podcast and mentors other founders. Previous to Nopalera, she was the bandleader of Pistolera, a Latin-Alternative band that toured internationally and shared the stage with artists such as Los Lobos and Lila Downs. 

Rodrigo Carriedo, Propio, Seattle, WA

Rodrigo has more than ten years of experience in entrepreneurship, finance, and public policy. He is the Founder and CEO of Propio, a Seattle-based startup helping accounting firms free up time from low-margin, transactional tasks so they can focus on more profitable revenue streams with the power of AI. Prior to Propio, Rodrigo was Executive Director at the World Bank Group in Washington, DC, where he also chaired the Audit & Risks Committee. Previously, he worked for the IDB Group, the Council of the Americas, the Woodrow Wilson Center, and the Mexican Ministry of Finance. Rodrigo holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Economics from ITAM and a Master’s in Public Policy from Georgetown University.

Sebastian Garzon, Alamo Angels, San Antonio, TX

Juan “Sebastian” Garzon is a dynamic force in the Texas investment landscape, currently serving as the Executive Director of Alamo Angels, the premier angel investment network in the Lone Star State. Under his leadership, Alamo Angels has evolved into the largest angel network in Texas. In his role, Sebastian facilitates access to capital via angel investing to companies across the U.S. and Latin America. Through his strategic guidance, Alamo Angels has invested in over 50 companies to date. Sebastian's exceptional acumen and dedication have been recognized by industry peers and publications alike. His notable accolades include being named to the prestigious Texas Top 100 for 2024, as well as being recognized as a recipient of "40 Under 40" in Corpus Christi. Moreover, his commitment to continuous growth and excellence led him to complete the rigorous VC Unlocked program, a collaborative initiative between Stanford University and 500 Global, designed to empower emerging venture capital leaders from around the world with cutting-edge insights and strategies. Beyond his career in investment, Sebastian is also the visionary mind behind Passport2Fluency, a company aimed at empowering individuals to enhance their Spanish language skills. Through Passport2Fluency, he embodies his passion for education and cultural exchange, making a tangible impact on the lives of countless learners seeking linguistic proficiency and global connectivity.

Leo Ochoa, VertueLab, Portland, OR

Leo Ochoa is a designer, inventor and entrepreneur; from an immigrant family growing up in rural Oregon, he discovered early on that he wanted to solve big problems. He holds several degrees and utility patents which have inspired him to build his company Dorsum, focused on creating wearable body supports to improve people’s posture, health and reduce the risk of musculoskeletal disorders. With Design, Ethnic Studies, and Business degrees from the University of Oregon and Industrial Design studies from Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles, Leo has worked for Columbia Sportswear & Philips Healthtech Innovation Center in Seattle leading projects through design, engineering and manufacturing. While building his startup Leo has been part of Portland incubators and accelerator programs. Knowing first hand the struggle of launching a product, he continues to lead by showing the way and previously was teaching Design Thinking and Business Modeling for Portland State University’s Center for Entrepreneurship. As the Accelerator Manager for VertueLab, Leo works with climate tech startups at all levels guiding and coaching them through the different stages of entrepreneurship.

Ana Sofia Romero, Gloset, Monterrey, Mexico

Ana Sofia co-founded Gloset out of the need for better options to buy fashion at a more affordable price and in a more sustainable manner. She had been an avid online shopper since early 2010 when the first fashion e-commerce websites started gaining popularity. Upon discovering international second-hand websites, she realized that Mexico and Latin America lacked options and digital channels for buying and selling. Before Gloset, she graduated as a Chemical Engineer from Tec de Monterrey and worked first in various areas, including Strategic Planning at an automotive company, and later in a Strategy Consulting firm for companies in Mexico. After recognizing the opportunity in the second-hand market in Latin America, she quit her job and started the company during the COVID-19 pandemic. She currently serves as the CEO and leads the product team.

Suleiny Altamirano, Tizana Mexicana, Seattle, WA 

Suleiny Altamirano, a professional in Business and Marketing, is deeply proud of her Mexican roots and dedicated to contributing within her community. Embarking on her journey with Tizana Mexicana last year, she is driven by a passion for preserving Mexican traditions in jewelry and crafts. Her mission is to introduce this rich heritage globally, empowering Latina women along the way. Recently graduating with a Master's in Entrepreneurship from the University of Washington, also graduated and awarded of the Jones + Foster Business Accelerator with Tizana Mexicana. With over a decade of experience in business development across diverse industries like Consumer Goods, Manufacturing, Technology, Healthcare, and Retail, she brings a wealth of expertise to her Ventures. As a social entrepreneur, Suleiny has made significant strides in creating positive social impact in healthcare, education, and culture through entrepreneurial approaches. Notable recognitions include winning the Community Impact Award at the Dempsey competition and reaching the finals in a pitch competition alongside The FBomb Breakfast Club. She has joined the ALPFA organization as the VP of Women of ALPFA (Association of Latino Professionals For America) and am actively involved in Latinas in Tech and Entreprenista. My commitment to community, culture, and empowerment is evident in my multifaceted contributions across industries and my dedication to making a positive impact.

About NCW Tech Alliance

Since 1999, NCW Tech Alliance has served as the region’s tech alliance, championing growth and development in North Central Washington. As a 501(c)3, NCW Tech Alliance’s mission is to bring together people and resources in technology, entrepreneurship, and STEM education. For more information visit www.ncwtech.org