What was your experience in the Cybersecurity Ventures programme?
Our experience in CYBER SECURITY VENTURES has been really positive from many points of view, not only for of the information received, but also for the possibility of being surrounded by entrepreneurs and investors coming from the cybersecurity area.
The contest format was highly self-demanding to us, because we pressed ourselves even before the programme started in order to do our utmost so there is no possibility of someone reproaching us not to do our best. It pushed us to seek our weaknesses, to work on our strengths, to be continuously comparing ourselves with other high-level start-ups and to take us to the limit regarding specific results. Such a competitive format moved us slightly away from start-up collaboration, but still we are happy with the alliances made with other entrepreneurs in the programme.
What do you think is the contribution of this type of programmes?
This type of programmes gives us the chance of being in close touch with other actors, which would be impossible outside the programme. For example, getting in direct contact with big corporations that can add our product to their portfolio, as well as with national and international investors and successful entrepreneurs.
It is also important to stress that the programme’s setting allowed us to introduce ourselves in a way that was more attractive, effective and economical than doing it on our own account. Stepping into this market would have been impossible for us at the moment from many points of view. Finally, there was consistency between the training sessions and the events, which enabled us to take the newly acquired knowledge and put it into practice quickly and directly, improving almost all the areas in our company. Now, for instance, we possess plenty of useful instruments and tools that we didn’t have before the programme.
What does your project have that distinguishes it from the rest of projects presented in the programme?
Our project stood out for the dedication put on the programme, with no offense meant to the other entrepreneurs’ effort. Due to having to travel and being away from the daily operating of the company, we could be 100% focused on the programme. That is the reason why we consider that we could make the most of all that was given to us while doing our best.
On the other hand, I think that our project encountered a programme that seemed to be entirely designed for us, since our maturity level before and after was a perfect match to what the programme was expected to provide to the entrepreneurs. We noticed that there was heterogeneity in the maturity of the different startups, which gave us an advantage in that aspect. As to the technical and innovation aspects we don’t see big differences with the other teams, all of them being of a really high quality, nor in the level of commitment to the programme or the evolution within it.
Why did you choose León as the place to set up a subsidiary of your company in Spain?
It was the simplest option to be able to take part in the programme. Let’s have in mind that the company was directly created from Argentina, with no trips during the process. We perceived great readiness and agility to face all the challenges this involved, especially from LeónUP.
Once we arrived in León, we continued to notice a high degree of professionalism, effectiveness and efficiency on the part of those entities we began to interact with.
What would you highlight about the daily work carried out by platforms like LeónUP?
What I would highlight above all is, on the one hand, the willingness to solve problems in an agile and effective way, and, on the other, the comprehensive counseling that on many occasions goes beyond what is strictly business-related. A foreigner who doesn’t know the country needs to get support beyond the creation of the company itself and it is precisely that kind of help that we receive from LeónUP.
We also noted that there are constantly activities that help those of us who are not native here to be able to integrate ourselves into the business and social fabric, and that is really positive from every perspective.
Would you recommend León to other entrepreneurs? Why?
Yes, very likely.
Because it is a city that is manageable in size and number of inhabitants, but greatly active in every aspect, where people stand out for their professional seriousness, as well as for their kindness, where we were always given bonus surprises on many issues. The city is captivating due to its liveliness, providing visitors with many possibilities both for the company and people as citizens. Moreover, due to the excellent quality of their professionals and the closeness to Spain’s capital thanks to the AVE train. It is a city where you can do business, but also live peacefully and actively at the same time.