Fifteen Latin American business owners have completed a groundbreaking yearlong entrepreneurial education program that took them across three continents.
Entrepreneurship and Competitiveness in Latin America (ECLA), organized by the Jerome A. Chazen Institute of International Business in collaboration with the Escuela de Negocios, Universidad Torcuato Di Tella in Buenos Aires, and Endeavor, a consulting partner, engaged business owners from countries including Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Peru, and Uruguay. Telefonica and Sovereign Bank provided support for the program, which is aimed at developing businesses throughout Latin America by providing leaders with the educational foundation and resources needed to capture new opportunities and expand their enterprises across borders.
The first program took place between January 2010 and January 2011 and included online lectures, three weeks of core classes at Columbia Business School, a week of classes at Universidad Torcuato Di Tella, and a weeklong study tour in South Korea.
“This year’s program was a great success,” said Nelson M. Fraiman, professor of professional practice in the Decision, Risk, and Operations Division at Columbia Business School and a member of the ECLA Advisory Council. “It’s a must for entrepreneurs who want to excel at what they do. The program is intense and demanding, but it’s worth it.”
At the conclusion of the program, participants presented their plans for growing their businesses to faculty members at Columbia Business School and Universidad Torcuato Di Tella, as well as to venture capitalists in New York City.
“The strategic perspective from the professors, the practical lessons from my classmates, and the enlightening atmosphere helped me to think big and about how to take my company to the next level,” said participant Max Grekin, CEO of SKM Seaprende, an e-learning company in Chile.
Students received certificates of completion from Columbia Business School’s Chazen Institute as well as from Executive Education at the Escuela de Negocios, Universidad Torcuato Di Tella.
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