Laura Macció (Uruguay)

CEO and founder of METABIX BIOTECH. Finalist of the WeXchange competition for entrepreneurs in STEM fields.

"The entrepreneurial ecosystem energizes you."

What did it mean to you to be selected as a finalist in the last WeXchange competition?

It was an immense joy because I've worked for a long time to achieve a platform like this, where I can connect with contacts that interest me to build potential relationships. Getting there was a journey with challenges that continually make you grow as a person and as a professional, and I enjoyed it a lot. Although my current venture is a year old, I've been an entrepreneur for ten years, and there weren't places like this for biotechnology before, let alone for female entrepreneurs. Seeing this gaining strength fills me with joy because I believe it's something that can revolutionize our way of living and relating to each other. It's great that more and more female entrepreneurs are present because we have a lot of value to offer, and if society doesn't see that in us, it's missing out on a lot.

If you could give just one piece of advice to a female entrepreneur in STEM fields, what would it be?

Not only in STEM fields but in any area: there is a time when you have to seek advice and know how to apply it, and there comes another time when you have to stop listening to anyone who wants to place us in certain positions and pay attention to that inner voice that tells us who we are, connect with our essence, where our purpose lies.

How do you see your future?

I would like to globalize and achieve the maximum potential of value and impact with my company, and then I see myself paving the way for other entrepreneurs because I am very motivated by day-by-day challenges. We talk a lot about the gender gap but not so much about other gaps, such us people with fewer economic opportunities that are not leading a company. I would like us to be able to give them opportunities because they are people who have a different resilience, and we need them.

How do innovation laboratories like IDB Lab help achieve this?

They are where the most important decisions are made. They don't just help; they are the cradle where things are managed. IDB Lab is a fund of funds, it funds ventures, it participates in the decision-making of public policies, it's where the decisions are made.

How was your experience in the last IDB Lab Forum?

Wonderful. The entrepreneurial ecosystem always energizes you, people are very positive, but also, I made very good contacts, knew about new opportunities, and I came out with my batteries fully charged.

From Idea to Innovation brings you more inspiring stories like Laura Macció's, highlighting the empowerment of women entrepreneurs in STEM and their impact on the business world. We invite you to participate in the next WeXchange Women STEMpreneur Competititon and to join us at the upcoming IDB Lab Forum 2024 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, from October 31st to November 1st. For more details, visit IDBLabForum.org.