Search the Internet          Tips  Sites: Finance, Investment

Hi-Net set to promote Hispanic entrepreneurs

Nirshan Perera

How do you say 'guru-chela' in Espanol?

While there may not be an exact Spanish translation, the spirit of the phrase is being reproduced perfectly for an emerging group of Latino businessmen. The members of the newly christened Hispanic Network of Entrepreneurs want to bring more of their community into the fold of IT success.

So they're banding together with their eye on TiE -- the hugely successful business group of the Indian American community, known officially as The IndUS Entrepreneurs.

Though it's been in the works for years, Hi-Net launched its Web site (www.hispanic-net.org) last week and began a serious push to get the word out.

According to founder Richard Leza, the core Silicon Valley group has grown from 3 to 50 since December and chapters are already sprouting in Los Angeles, Miami and Chicago.

Too many Latinos are bashful about getting involved in the IT boom that's been a blessing to so many Indians, Leza, a venture capitalist based in Mountain View, California, says.

"Part of it has to do with our culture," he notes. "We don't always have the contacts or the resources to do this. People go for the secure job in a big company, rather than get into a high risk, high growth area."

So it's Hi-Net's mission to encourage and nurture more Hispanic entrepreneurs.

Following the patented TiE formula, the group meets each month to network, share knowledge, and attract investors. An annual conference, a la TiECon, is also on cards.

But, Leza says, the group's greatest value will ultimately lie in it's educational mentoring component -- the 'guru-chela' philosophy that is the backbone of TiE.

"People have to have some idea of how to do this," he says. "We will have classes and seminars, and successful businessmen will act as role models."

Hi-Net already counts among its early members Rolando Gil, founder and CTO of WorldChain; Roberto Medrano, general manager of Hewlett-Packard's Internet security division; Andy Gutierrez, managing director of Newco Productions; and Jorge Mendoza, CEO of Vivo Wallet.

TiE founding member Bakul Joshi says that the future is bright for Latinos, the nation's largest and best established immigrant community.

"There is tremendous potential," Joshi observes. "They've already been successful in so many areas. Now, with the entrepreneurial fever catching on, there is no ceiling to what can be done."

Money

Business News

Tell us what you think of this report