Twitter: @AlexBedwinusCam
LinkedIn: Alejandro Castillo

What do you do currently?
I am Co-Founder & Managing Partner in ALEB Investments, a Venture Capital Firm in Mexico City.

How and when did you get involved with the Mexican entrepreneurial ecosystem?
For more than half of my life, I had been an entrepreneur. My first entrepreneurial experience was when I had only 8 years and was in school. I have always been very curious and impatient, always looking to do or sell something else. I founded my first company, ACMES (an Insurance & Bond broker company) when I was 20 years old; now ACMES is 14 years old.

How would you describe the ecosystem in Mexico?
I’m very happy with the times and the stage that is living our lovely Mexico. Now everybody, mostly young people, wants to be an entrepreneur and to do something for himself or herself. 14 years ago, everybody always told me that I was very crazy trying to found a company. Today I feel that Mexico is living the Silicon Valley of the 80’s, but with lots of enthusiasm and in a different economic world, so our ecosystem should continue growing faster in this global economy.

What do you expect in the next 12 months?
Lots of innovation all around the world, more IT solutions, capital from different countries looking for the best deals, more investments, more new startups, big experiences, knowledge and spiritual development.

What are the main challenges?
Our ecosystem needs a big home run to win credibility and attract more capital from all around the world.

What change or result would bring the greatest benefits for the ecosystem?
A Mexican startup that connects a home run.

Describe your typical day.
Fortunately, all my days are very different, which makes my job very entertaining and more fun. Normally I wake up at 7 am, do some exercise, take breakfast with my wife, get to the office at 10 am, in average have 2 or 3 meetings a day with the team, or with partners, clients, prospects or new projects. Review tons of emails and solve problems.

Who is your favorite entrepreneur?
I don’t have only one, I admire to many. They don’t know it, but in some ways they are my mentors. People like Robert T. Kiyosaki, Steve Jobs, Warren Buffet, Richard Branson, Anthony Robbins, Robin Sharma and John Maxwell.

A recent book do you recommend?
Speak like a CEO, from Suzanne Bates.

A movie?
Gladiator.

Smartphone, tablet, laptop or desktop?
Smartphone and laptop.

iOS or Android?
iOS.

Favorite App?
Spotify.

Favorite social network?
Facebook.

Ideal vacation?
Beach.

What are your goals for the next 12 months?
Increase sales, continue managing our portfolio companies, find more interesting startups to invest in and lay the foundations for our fund II.

One word that describes you?
Persistent.

Previous interview. José Luis Silva