Roberto Souviron
Roberto Souviron is one of the most influential Argentine entrepreneurs of recent decades. His leadership and business vision transformed Despegar.com into a Latin American benchmark in e-commerce, and his social commitment led him to promote high-impact educational projects. His career reflects a combination of technological innovation and social responsibility.
Education and early career
With a degree in Business Administration from the University of San Andrés and an MBA from Duke, Souviron began his career in consulting and telecommunications. His business vision was shaped in highly competitive environments, preparing him for the leap into technological entrepreneurship.
Founding of Despegar.com
In 1999, he co-founded Despegar.com after identifying the opportunity to digitize the travel market in Latin America. Under his leadership, the company grew exponentially, expanded to more than 20 countries, and went public on the New York Stock Exchange, becoming a symbol of regional entrepreneurship.
Growth strategies
Souviron led international investment rounds and navigated global crises such as the dot-com bubble burst and 9/11. His focus on diversifying services and adapting the business model to each market was key to maintaining competitiveness and consolidating the brand across the region.
Commitment to education
After leaving Despegar, he focused his energy on education. He founded a school in Tigre and co-founded the Observatorio Argentinos por la Educación, promoting data and evaluations to improve educational quality. He advocates for integrating technology in classrooms as a tool for inclusion.
Role in the entrepreneurial ecosystem
As a member of Endeavor Argentina, Souviron supports new entrepreneurs in the region. He shares his experience in forums and training programs, encouraging the creation of companies with global and sustainable impact, strengthening the link between innovation and social development.
Recognitions
He was awarded the Konex Prize in 2018 in the business category and received recognition as a reference in business leadership. These awards validate his contribution to both the growth of the technology sector and the improvement of education in the country.
Vision and legacy
His leadership combines business strategy, resilience in the face of crises, and social commitment. Souviron has demonstrated that it is possible to scale a global business from Latin America while dedicating efforts to building a more equitable future through education.
