Sibö

Sibö is a biotechnology company focused on the development and supply of efficient, clean and easy to incorporate insect-based food ingredients and water-soluble proteins with all essential amino acids. We have developed a proprietary technology that allows the isolation and separation of insect bio components and improves the application of these materials.

 

Meet the Impact Community- Alejandro Ortega

How would you introduce yourself when meeting a new person?

My name is Alejandro, and I am a very passionate person when it comes to solving problems. I love nature, and I care deeply about happenings in my surrounding. This is my main driving force, it is either urging me to change, or it can also drive me crazy when I’m unable to carry out those changes. I grew up with my grandmother, who taught me how to use this passion to bring positive change to society. And basically, this is who I am and I try to replicate this attitude within my professional life.

What motivated you to become an entrepreneur?

During my studies in the United States, I got familiar with the word entrepreneur. Growing up, I never came across this term before. I had no idea that this was the profession I could choose or that it was even an option for me. After I returned to Costa Rica, I started my own company, and with it a long process of learning and failing followed. Initially, I didn’t get the support of my family and friends as they viewed business as a murky and risky area. SIBO is my fourth start-up and what I have been learning in this process is that being an entrepreneur is the most efficient way how I can keep continuing solving previously mentioned problems and making changes.

What do you consider to be your greatest achievement?

My greatest achievement has been staying mentally healthy over the past three years with the company, because even if I would win for example a Nobel price, while not being mentally healthy and connected to the person I am and the values I stand for, it would not even count, that is my perspective. The key to staying on top of things is continuous improvement. Within those three years, I have been able to clearly understand my vulnerability, and as a result, I have become a better leader, person, partner- better version of myself for everyone. The greatest achievement is to keep growing, improving, understating, and acknowledging all the changes.

What do you do on a daily basis to grow as an entrepreneur?

I constantly do researches relevant to my personal and professional life. Not all the learning process is only about what I need to learn, but also what I actually want to learn. In order to grow as an entrepreneur, I always come back to this one sentence, which I also share with my team: “Don’t doubt yourself in front of others, but doubt yourself in private”. No one is perfect, so people should continue asking themselves if there is a better way, but always keep your confidence to present and share your opinions. Moreover, another way to grow in business is by talking with fellow entrepreneurs. These conversations open the mind, help to see things from different perspective, and you can always learn from the mistakes of others. That is the key.

What advice would you give to your younger self?

I would probably advise myself to learn more about my mistakes. It took me a while to realize that I am responsible for every good and bad things that had happened in my life. Only I have the power to change things I do not like. Everything I want to happen is in my hands, and I would focus more on being an entrepreneur and not looking for a job.

What are you recently up to?

We are recently focusing on sales. We are trying to get customers. The whole focus right now is to enter the market and prove that we have a solution.

Unit: 3.02