Who we are
Fundación Misión Ecuador is a non-profit organization, founded by Ecuadorian business people, that awards full scholarships for transformation and training programs in entrepreneurship, innovation and leadership.
Our origin
In 2016 our founder, Marco Mendieta, was selected by the White House and the U.S. Department of State for the Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI), created by President Barack Obama. It changed his life.
That same year Ecuador lived one of its darkest hours: the earthquake that devastated Manabí and Esmeraldas. Marco and a group of friends created a program like the one he lived in the U.S. to bring hope back to those who lost everything: free, and without leaving the country.
Our mission is to reduce poverty and foster sustainable development through comprehensive training for entrepreneurs, so they become leaders in their communities and help regenerate the economy and jobs in the country's provinces.
The program
Each edition combines daily classes in business management, innovation and leadership, keynote talks open to the public, hands-on workshops, coaching, networking, a social responsibility day, and fairs and festivals that boost the province's economy.
Each scholarship is worth USD 4,000: top-level training, networking with leaders and authorities, coaching and mentoring, a nationally and internationally endorsed academic certificate and the alumni network. Since 2023, through an agreement with Universidad Casa Grande, pitch winners receive a full university scholarship and every scholar gets 50% off any bachelor's or master's degree.
Who can apply
Behind every edition there is our own team and a network of 300+ mentors, teachers, volunteers and collaborators.
Businessman, social entrepreneur, speaker and MBA lecturer at Universidad Casa Grande. Co-founder of Megamobilier and Aclademy.
Selected by the White House for YLAI (2016). MBA with distinction in International Business from Coventry University London and Chevening Scholar in Political Economy at King's College London. Georgetown University (2022) and Atlantic Dialogues Emerging Leaders (2023).
Leads the foundation's scholarship and training programs, from the open call to the final day on the ground.
Facilitates the Order pillar of the C.O.V.E.W. method: discipline, systems and action plans that turn intention into dated results.
International Business Management engineer, trilingual, specialized in international trade and in public, private and cooperation projects.
She worked at the Vice-Ministry of Aquaculture and Fisheries and as foreign trade coordinator at the Ecuadorian-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, where she organized the first China–Latin America virtual business round with more than 90 Chinese companies and an international e-commerce forum with Alibaba Group.
Give a scholarship
Every Misión Ecuador edition awards full scholarships to entrepreneurs who could not otherwise afford them. Your gift is the next one.
A company? Become a corporate partner →You cover 2.5 % of a full scholarship for an entrepreneur.
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