The graduating class of Latino entrepreneurs boasts a combined revenue of $1.5 billion
PALO ALTO, Calif., July 23, 2022 — The Latino Business Action Network (LBAN) selected 75 Latino
entrepreneurs from across the United States and Puerto Rico to be a part of the organization’s thirteenth
cohort of the Stanford Latino Entrepreneurship Initiative Education-Scaling Program (SLEI-Ed). The initiative
is a seven-week program jointly developed by Stanford University and LBAN, focused in helping Latino and
Latina business owners scale their businesses.
The immersive seven-week program provides participants with valuable scaling frameworks, a diversified
network of capital providers, business mentorship from successful entrepreneurs and investors and a deep
understanding of mobilizing resources for sustainable business growth and scale. The uniquely tailored
program, focused exclusively on Latino entrepreneurs is unlike any other currently available to this fast-
growing segment of the U.S. economy.
"LBAN’s business scaling track record is very strong," states Arturo Cazares, LBAN CEO. "The Latina and Latino businesses that we convene at Stanford have demonstrably grown financially following a world-class curriculum. Given that Cohort 13 represents a combined $1.5 billion in gross revenue, it’s fair to say that
when these businesses use their new found skills to scale further, together with LBAN’s current alumni
network, our participants will be poised to make a huge impact on the U.S. economy.”
The criteria for applicants of SLEI-Ed is generation of $1 million in annual gross revenue or having raised at
least $500,000 from external sources. During the course of this seven-week program, the entrepreneurs
will take a customized course developed by world-renowned Stanford Graduate School of Business
professors such as Huggy Rao, and LBAN Chair Jerry I. Porras, coauthor of the international best seller, Built
to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies.
“The program focuses on the mindset of the (Latino/a) entrepreneur, how they see growth and how that
shows itself in the way they manage, as well as the things they may overlook,” says Professor Emeritus
Porras. “Our program works to enhance the mindset not only of the leaders who come to Stanford, but
enabling those leaders to take what they’ve learned to their employees too. It is a very important way to
focus on growth.”
Chort 13 will now join a dynamic network of more than 900 Latino/Latina entrepreneurs who LBAN
carefully curates an ever-expanding ecosystem of resources, opportunities and ongoing learning
opportunities.
“I have a new company so I was very excited to be on Stanford's campus and learn from some of the most
brilliant Latinos in the United States,” remarked Camille Padilla, co-founder of the start-up Vodium and
member of LBAN’s thirteenth cohort. “They've taught me foundations that you would assume people who
start companies know how, but we're running around in so many different directions, we forget, oh, there's
an important reason behind taking a breath step and back and instilling a vision within your company.”
About LBAN
LBAN is a dynamic nonprofit based in Silicon Valley with a big mission to strengthen the U.S. economy by
empowering Latino entrepreneurship across the country. We partner with Stanford University through the
jointly supported Stanford Latino Entrepreneurship Initiative (SLEI). In addition to driving SLE-Research,
SLEI-Education Business Scaling Program, LBAN focuses on building a national ecosystem for Latino business
owners.