To be an entrepreneur, it is not enough to have talent to develop a business; it is also important to have knowledge to back up every decision made. In order to strengthen the skills of future generations of entrepreneurs, a team of graduates and students from Universidad del Pacífico created the "Jóvenes Emprendedores" ("Young Entrepreneurs") program, aimed at teenagers between the ages of 12 and 16, in the province of Ilo (Moquegua). 

The team was formed by Humberto Villanueva, Business Administration graduate; Andrea Gamarra, International Business student; Luciana Zegarra Muñante, Business Administration student; Kevyn Cruz, Business Engineering student; and Alexandra Mendoza, International Business student. The team is part of Grupo Empresarial Villanueva y TMT.

"Being able to collaborate in the instruction of teenagers in the Moquegua region was a very enriching experience. They showed me that despite certain difficulties that may arise around them, their desire to learn is even stronger. We need more programs like this nationwide”, Andrea explained.

The program had a total of 33 participants, who were trained in different topics such as business opportunities in the Moquegua region, innovation and entrepreneurship, and technical tools for entrepreneurs. The course ended with the presentation of a final project that allowed the application of what had been learned.

The objective of the training course was to promote a culture of entrepreneurship in the province of Ilo. To this end, an alliance was created with the Escuela Profesional de Administración de la Universidad de Moquegua, whose students co-conducted master classes. Their insights on the type of businesses in demand, market opportunities, and economic and social indicators in the area were of great value to the students.

"The school students discovered the enormous potential of the Moquegua region in terms of the opportunities and problems it has; I am absolutely sure that with the program we have taken a big step to make them understand and empathize in order to build the companies we need so much. As a “Moqueguana”, I feel very proud and happy to see this," said Luciana. 

At the end of the program, three business ideas with the potential to be applied this year were created and 95% of the students stated that they would engage in entrepreneurship to contribute to the development of the province of Ilo.

"This program shows that we have possibilities if we are closer together. The commitment to service as a hallmark of Universidad del Pacífico is a strength that any organization in the Moquegua region, the country and the world would value as a prerequisite for any job position," explained Humberto, who is also Manager of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability of Grupo Empresarial Villanueva y TMT.