Christian Van Der Henst
Christian Van Der Henst is a systems engineer, educator, and co-founder of Platzi, one of the most influential online education platforms in Latin America. With more than 25 years of experience, he has combined technology, training, and operational leadership to transform access to technical knowledge in Spanish. His strategic focus has been key to Platzi’s growth and the professional development of thousands across the region.
Digital beginnings and self-taught education in Guatemala
Born in 1981, Christian Van Der Henst began his journey in web development at just 16. In 1997, he created Maestros del Web, a platform that trained thousands of Spanish-speaking youth in HTML, CSS, and PHP. His drive didn’t come from traditional classrooms, but from collaborative learning. From the beginning, he merged technical curiosity with a vital need: to share knowledge with others.
Formal education and early contact with global communities
He studied systems engineering at Universidad Rafael Landívar in Guatemala, but his real education came through hands-on practice and online forums. He joined communities like Mozilla and was later recognized as a Google Developer Expert. Early on, he understood that technological knowledge needed to be democratized. He lived in Mexico and Colombia, gaining perspective on the challenges of education in Latin America.
Founding Platzi and building scalable operations
In 2011, together with Freddy Vega, he founded Platzi, evolving it from the earlier project Mejorando.la. His role as COO was key in developing an efficient educational structure. He designed a unique Spanish-language course production system. Under his leadership, Platzi surpassed one million active students, offering constantly updated content and an expansion strategy focused on real employability.
Impact on the regional educational and tech ecosystem
Unlike many startup leaders, Van Der Henst maintained a pedagogical approach. He designed learning structures tied to job market demands. He coordinated the creation of thematic schools within Platzi (programming, business, marketing). He was a speaker at events like Campus Party and TEDx, consistently advocating for self-taught learning as a tool for social transformation.
Bilingual training, partnerships, and regional growth
Christian led the launch of Platzi English Academy in 2022, a technical English model tailored for technology professionals. He also consolidated partnerships with Google, Microsoft, and the governments of Colombia, Peru, and Mexico to promote digital education. Thanks to his operational management, Platzi was selected by Y Combinator, achieving global reach while maintaining its Latin American identity.
Mentorship, networks, and support for emerging ventures
He has been a mentor in programs like Seedcamp and 500 Startups. His experience is valued by founders seeking to combine impact and sustainability. He has also advised public institutions on digital education programs. His constant focus is on how technical education can reduce social inequality, generate employment, and open new economic opportunities in the region.
Low-profile trajectory, concrete influence
Although he avoids media protagonism, his presence is consistent in Platzi’s key decisions. Van Der Henst represents the balance between business vision and educational purpose. He stands for a generation of tech leaders who weren’t born in Silicon Valley but compete globally from Latin America with solutions that prepare professionals for the real world.
