Mario Merino
Co Founder and Managing Partner, Inventures
Professional Overview
Mario Merino is an accomplished entrepreneur and innovation leader with a strong track record of founding successful startups and driving transformative initiatives. As the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Inventures, he leverages his extensive experience in business consulting, nonprofit work, and venture building to help organizations navigate complex challenges and capitalize on emerging opportunities.
Experience Summary
Current Role
As the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Inventures, a leading innovation and venture creation firm, Mario is responsible for driving the overall strategic vision and day-to-day operations of the organization. He works closely with a diverse portfolio of clients, ranging from multinational corporations to social enterprises, to ideate, incubate, and scale innovative solutions that address critical global issues. Under his leadership, Inventures has established a reputation for delivering impactful results and fostering a culture of collaborative innovation.
In addition to his role at Inventures, Mario is also the Co-Founder of Meki, a technology-driven startup focused on revolutionizing the delivery of essential services in underserved communities. In this capacity, he oversees the company's strategic direction, product development, and stakeholder engagement efforts.
Career Progression
Prior to co-founding Inventures, Mario served as an Innovation Consultant at the World Food Programme, where he spearheaded the design and implementation of pioneering solutions to address food security challenges. Earlier in his career, he held positions at The Boston Consulting Group, where he honed his expertise in strategy, operations, and organizational transformation. Mario also gained valuable experience in the social impact sector, having served as a Fundraiser Director at TECHO, a leading nonprofit organization focused on poverty alleviation in Latin America.
Academic Background
Mario holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, where he graduated with distinction. He is also an alumnus of the Endeavour Volunteer Consulting for Non-Profits (Endeavour) program, where he provided pro-bono consulting services to social enterprises.
Areas of Expertise
- Entrepreneurship and venture building
- Innovation management and design thinking
- Strategic consulting and organizational transformation
- Sustainable development and social impact initiatives
- Stakeholder engagement and cross-sector collaboration
Professional Impact
Under Mario's leadership, Inventures has successfully incubated and scaled numerous innovative solutions that have had a tangible impact on underserved communities. One such initiative, a mobile-based platform for delivering essential services, has reached over 50,000 beneficiaries in remote regions of Chile, significantly improving their access to healthcare, education, and financial services.
Additionally, Mario's work with Meki has resulted in the development of a pioneering technology-driven solution that has facilitated the distribution of critical supplies to vulnerable populations during times of crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Conclusion
With his proven track record of founding and scaling successful ventures, Mario Merino is a respected leader in the fields of innovation, entrepreneurship, and social impact. Driven by a passion for addressing global challenges, he continues to leverage his extensive expertise to create sustainable, transformative solutions that positively impact communities around the world.