VICTORIA COSTA PAZ
www.eywa.bio
Eywa Biotech is a vertically integrated company that develops next-generation psychedelic ingredients and formulations using synthetic biology and advanced manufacturing. We produce GMP-grade APIs and innovative blends to serve pharmaceutical, research, and wellness markets worldwide.
THE CHALLENGE
Before joining the START Fellowship Accelerator program, we needed to refine both our business model and investor pitch to better position Eywa for international expansion and successful fundraising.
HOW WE HELPED
START Fellowship helped us overcome this challenge through personalized mentoring, strategic workshops, and a powerful community of founders and experts. It also helped us refine our go-to-market strategy and gain confidence in communicating our vision to global investors.
RESULT
One of the biggest achievements START Fellowship Accelerator helped us realize was closing our Pre-Seed round.
“START Fellowship pushed us to think bigger, execute faster, and stay rooted in our purpose. It's a community that truly believes in founders’ potential.”
Milagros Romano
www.vexxel.bio
At Vexxel, we develop smart protein-based capsules that detect pathogens and release biological compounds in response to need, thereby reducing chemical use in agriculture.
THE CHALLENGE
Prior to the START Fellowship Accelerator program, one of our biggest challenges was to clarifying our go-to-market strategy and focusing on a beachhead market.
HOW WE HELPED
START Fellowship helped us connect with strategic partners that shaped our go-to-market strategy.
RESULT
Thanks to START Fellowship, we secured pilot projects with global leaders like Driscoll’s and Hortifrut to validate our technology in the real agricultural settings.
“START Fellowship opened doors we never knew existed. The program’s network and support truly accelerated our growth.”
Valentina Salazar
www.micandpose.com
Mic&Pose is a web app that provides real-time, AI-powered feedback to enhance customer-facing communication skills during training sessions.
THE CHALLENGE
Before the START Fellowship Accelerator program, one of our biggest challenges was rising initial capital and understanding the B2B sales landscape.
HOW WE HELPED
START Fellowship helped us by providing us access to pre-seed capital, experienced mentors and highly valuable workshops.
RESULT
Thanks to START Fellowship, we secured B2B deals with companies like Falabella, Sura, and Leschaco, validating our product in real-world corporate settings.
“START Fellowship provided us with the structure, confidence, and network to turn our vision into a scalable, real-world business."
Pedro Moura
www.realmate.com.br
At Realmate, we help real estate companies transform the way they connect with their clients. We centralize all communication channels into an all-in-one platform where teams can collaborate and manage conversations more efficiently. This enables them to delight their clients and close more deals.
THE CHALLENGE
One of our biggest challenges before the START Fellowship Accelerator program, was sharpening our focus. At Realmate we struggled to understand exactly where our efforts could have the greatest impact.
HOW WE HELPED
START Fellowship enabled us to refine our vision, connect with world-class mentors, and gain the clarity and confidence to execute fast! It offered an amazing learning path, surrounded by workshops and experts guidance. On top of it, we were part of a community of ambitious founders, working side by side 24/7 to make things happen!
RESULT
Since joining the START Fellowship, I’m proud to say that we’ve built a base of happy and loyal clients, creating recurring impact - already reaching over one million people across Brazil. Personally, it means a lot to me — I left university doing exactly what I always dreamed of: building a company I believe in, working with a passionate team, and making Brazil a better place.
“START Fellowship was truly life-changing for me. It opened doors I didn't even know existed and challenged me to dream bigger, execute faster, and believe that building an impactful company from Brazil is possible.”
Franco Rodriguez Viau
www.satellitesonfire.com
Satellites on Fire is an early warning system for wildfires and deforestation, leveraging satellite data every 5 minutes, ground-based cameras, and proprietary AI models. Our algorithms outperform NASA’s system by several hours and detect 30% more wildfires. In the past three months alone, our system has supported the response to 400 wildfires, demonstrating its critical role in safeguarding ecosystems and communities worldwide.
THE CHALLENGE
Before the START Fellowship Accelerator program, one of our biggest challenges was detecting wildfires using cameras and understanding how to raise a funding round.
HOW WE HELPED
START Fellowship provided the initial funding that allowed us to launch a wildfire detection project using tower-mounted cameras and to build a team around it. It gave us the mentorship we needed to raise our pre-seed round, get accepted into Techstars, and grow the team from 3 to 17 people.
RESULT
One of the biggest achievements, made possible thanks to START Fellowship, was raising $850k from investors such as the co-founder of Reddit, Techstars, MIT, UN Green Climate Fund and others.
“START Fellowship gave me the confidence to go full-time and surrounded me with people who push me to grow - both as a founder and as a human being. I gained lifelong connections with mentors and friends who make me self-aware, happier and more productive every day. Today, I lead a 17-person team working across 17 countries to protect our planet.”
Humberto Martinez
www.nerite.tech
At Nerit’e. we help farmers save money on fertilizer by tracking their soil nutrients in real time.
THE CHALLENGE
Before the START Fellowship Accelerator program, we struggled to communicate our idea in a simple, concise way and to think beyond our mission in order to craft an exciting vision for the future of the company.
HOW WE HELPED
START Fellowship helped us overcome this challenge by making us pitch pitch pitch!
RESULT
One of the most meaningful achievement we experienced thanks to START Fellowship was hearing form one of our farm partners: "I'm very grateful that you've helped my son change his perspective around agriculture. By using your technology, he learned that farming isn't just about driving a tractor, it's a complex, science-based discipline full of opportunities for innovation.”
“START Fellowship is like those old-school fathers that throw you in the water so you learn to swim. It's tough, you have to go against tide and face uncertainty, failure, and rejection. But if you make it, you emerge more resilient and agile founder.”
Mateo Bolívar
www.contler.com
At Contler we create AI-Powered digital concierge solutions, to help hotels digitalizing their guest service, generating more sales, reducing costs, and optimizing operations.
THE CHALLENGE
Before START Fellowship I had just an idea, in an industry that in 2020, felt completely inaccessible.
HOW WE HELPED
START Fellowship Accelerator program helped me validate my idea and connect with mentors, some of whom later become my investors. Without that support, Contler probably would not be a reality today.
RESULT
Thanks to START Fellowship we are now Hilton providers, and currently working with over 70 hotels 🚀
“START Fellowship changed my life. I arrived with little more than an idea, and thanks to the program, I returned home with a company, investors, and amazing mentors.”
