Pablo began with a humble start and a desire to make life better for those around him. His hard work earned him a scholarship to study mechanical engineering at Brown University. Inspired by his professors and friends, he developed a passion for Chinese culture, learned the language, and later worked in China and Thailand as an engineer.
Yet Pablo felt called to tackle one of the world’s most pressing challenges: poverty. After working at the United Nations, he founded Bridge for Billions (BfB) at just 24, with a bold mission—to democratize access to entrepreneurship training and mentorship.
Impact So Far
I asked Pablo how he defines success. ‘Being on a continuous journey of self-development while creating value for others and society’ he responded, it means ‘Doing something that energizes you every day and generates a positive externality in the world.’
In the past 10 years, Pablo and the BfB team have supported over 6,000 entrepreneurs across 131 countries.With a 60% two-year survival rate, and a conservative estimate that each successful venture has impacted 200–300 people-employees, customers, suppliers-their work has touched more than 1 million lives across diverse sectors.
You can read some of their stories [here].
Three Reflections on Success
When I asked Pablo what he attributes his success to, he didn’t answer directly. Instead, he shared a turning point.
For years, he believed growth came from pushing harder. But after burning out in 2019, he redefined success—not more doing, but more being. He challenged the VC’s obsession with unicorns, proposing a more grounded metaphor: Zebras—real, profitable, and sustainable companies that focus on solving real problems through mutualism, not just chasing valuations.
Here’s what I’ve learned from Pablo:
- Work hard, but stay open to pivoting.
- Have the courage to challenge conventional standards—and pursue what truly matters.
- Speak authentically, and lead with care.
Reading recommendation
Books Pablo recommends to aspiring social entrepreneurs:
- “The Business Solution to Poverty” by Paul Polak – A must-read for anyone serious about systemic change through entrepreneurship.
- “Invisible Power” by Ken Manning – On how understanding our internal thought processes can transform leadership and collaboration.
- “Work with Source” by Tom Nixon – Offers insights into aligning with deeper purpose and collective transformation in organizations.
Where is Opportunity?
One of Pablo’s biggest hope is for corporate, government, and donor partners to recognize entrepreneurship support as a public good. It’s foundational to building inclusive, sustainable ecosystems—yet remains chronically underfunded.
How You Can Help
If Pablo’s journey resonates with you, here are three ways to get involved:
- Connect with decision makers
Are you a decision-makeror—or can you introduce Bridge for Billions to someone who can fund, champion, or advocate for systemic investment in entrepreneurship? Pablo would love to connect.
- Have experience in scaling or interest in impact investing?
If you’ve scaled a company or are investing in purpose-driven companies, Get in touch with Bridge for Billions team. - Ready to launch your venture?
If you’re looking to build a business that makes a difference, apply to an incubation program.
References