Wondering who’s behind Parallel18? MEET THE TEAM 🙂

Do you ever wonder who are the elves responsible for all the Parallel18 magic? Well, it is your lucky day! We’re dedicating this post to introduce you to our team, what drives them, and the things they love. We want you to see why you should trust them and apply for a spot in Gen3. (You should, we rule!)

The team is composed of eight amazing full-time employees and great interns (some of them in the photo.) Each member has a unique set of skills that allows him/her to help startups grow in different ways.

Without further ado, meet them (us?):

Sebastián Vidal, Executive Director

Sebas was the former Executive Director of Start-Up Chile and moved to Puerto Rico about a year ago to create Parallel18. He keeps the team up to date with Chilean slang and has a great way with people.

1. What’s your specialty? People and Lasagna (Not together of course)
2. Did you have a startup? If so describe. Parallel18 is the closest I have had to creating something from zero, also my daughter is the greatest startup of all.
3. What made you be part of the P18 team? A concrete fascinating challenge and the possibility of working on what I´m passionate about (innovation as part of a social transformation) in a great place, with awesome people.
4. Favorite book? Around the World in 80 Days, by Jules Verne
5. Favorite movie? The Goonies (Right on, Sebas!)

Lucas Arzola, Director of Operations

Lucas creates our acceleration curriculum, contacts mentors and, together with Belisa and Andreica, works hard to help our startups grow. This self-proclaimed geek knows how and when to be tough (with love.)

1. What’s your specialty?Operations/Startup Strategy/Biotech/Education
2. Did you have a startup? If so describe: Yes. My first startup, Inserogen, was a spin-off from my doctoral research at University of California, Davis with the goal of commercializing the use of tobacco plants for the production of high-value therapeutics. My second startup, BetaBox Labs, evolved from an education consulting company, and was focused on bringing a mobile prototyping lab and innovation experiences to universities, schools, and communities all over the United States.
3. What made you be part of the P18 team? As a born and raised Puerto Rican living in the diaspora for 8 years, I had always been eager to return to Puerto Rico to support the startup ecosystem and contribute to the economic development of Puerto Rico. Working at Parallel18 and enabling entrepreneurs to achieve their dreams by accelerating their startups from Puerto Rico into global markets is my ideal job and a dream come true!
4. Favorite book? Ender’s Game, by Orson Scott Card, is one of my many sci-fi favorites.
5. Favorite movie?
   Gattaca, an inspiring and well-acted movie about genetic engineering, space travel, and human potential

Belisa Bermúdez, Startup Executive

Belisa is the definition of energy. She gives service to half the startups of each generation and channels their needs to the rest of the team. Always looking to help, Beli is in charge of our GiveBack program. Also, she’s a hard core Leo DiCaprio and Justin Bieber fan.

1. What’s your specialty? ORGANIZATION, events, marketing, public relations… music & fashion.
2. Did you have a startup? If so describe. YES, it was an e-commerce store with a focus on styling all pieces for all styles.
3. What made you be part of the P18 team? I wanted to do something good for Puerto Rico, make a difference — — and to learn, learn, learn as much as I possibly can.
4. Favorite book? -too many- but, Gonzo Girl, by Cheryl Della Pietra & The Silvia Series, by Elísabet Benavent
5. Favorite movie? -too many- but, Hook, by Steven Spielberg & Y Tu Mamá También, by Alfonso Cuarón

Andreica Maldonado, Startup Executive

Andreica loves dancing (we mean it! Wait ’til you see her Salsa moves.) Like Belisa, she gives service to half of the startups of each generation and channels their needs to the rest of the team. Andy is also in charge of the Intern and Fellowship programs that allow our startups to find qualified employees.

1. What’s your specialty? Operations/Non-Profit and Public Management/Social Work/Social Responsibility/Cooking
2. Did you have a startup? If so describe. No, but I’ve always considered myself a natural entrepreneur. I started by making and selling handcrafts in elementary school. Most recently, I raised funds for my alma mater, Rutgers University. I offer guidance to my husband, Justin, who founded and operates a news and information startup. Launching and growing a startup is on my bucket list.
3. What made you be part of the P18 team? Do you have at least ten minutes? I can go on and on! I moved to the United States to finish grad school and stayed there for almost six years. I always wanted to go back to the Island because I believe the potential is limitless with so many talented people. After several attempts, I was offered the opportunity to relocate to the Enchanted Island. I did not hesitate! Three weeks later, my bags were packed, and I hopped on a plane to paradise. Parallel18 offers the perfect professional mix, with each team member bringing something different to the table. That’s what makes us a unique and innovative crew. Working directly with the startups is very enriching. Every day I’m challenged and learning something new.
4. Favorite book? I don’t have a favorite book. I love cooking and crafts books as well as romantic novels.
5. Favorite movie? Good Will Hunting, by Gus Van Hant; Jane Eyre, by Cary Joji Fukunga, and I Cento Passi, by Marco Tullio Giordana

Cristina Tamayo, Business Development Manager

Cristina is the newest addition to our team. She’s energetic and very driven. Cris handles a lot of important stuff: soft landing for our startups, judge recruitment for the selection process, coordinates business development lineups with big companies to help startups grow, and more.

1. What’s your specialty? I’m a doer. Just tell me what you need and I’ll help you make it happen.
2. Did you have a startup? If so describe. Not yet!
3. What made you be part of the P18 team? P18’s awesome mission. After 3 years as a practicing attorney in a law firm, I wanted to venture out and do something completely different with my life. I wanted to work in a place where I could impact Puerto Rico. I immediately gravitated toward the startup world, took a leap of faith, changed careers, and couldn’t be happier.
4. Favorite book? If I had to choose, 1984 by George Orwell. First book that made me understand the power of a good book.
5. Favorite movie? Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

Marie Custodio, Outreach Manager

Marie is P18’s second employee. Her analytic skills are beyond comparison and she’s always looking for ways to keep us out of trouble. Marie is a feminist who always advocates for women visibility in all fields, whose super power is to help startups communicate better.

1. What’s your specialty? Communications/Startup people
2. Did you have a startup? If so describe: Yes. A group of friends founded an agricultural technology startup a while ago. We built an MVP, sold some units to VERY patient customers, and then things didn’t work out. It was sad, but I learned a lot about business AND gardening AND chemistry, and got a ton of support from the local startup community.
3. What made you be part of the P18 team? As a journalist covering the budding startup community in Puerto Rico, I met with many brilliant entrepreneurs struggling to get their message out. After my startup failed, I realized that my superpower was helping others communicate better, so when Parallel18 offered me the chance to do just that, it was a no brainer.
4. Favorite book? I’m a bookworm, so it’s hard to decide on just one. This year’s favorite: Girl on the Train, by Paula Hawkins/ Childhood favorite: Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott/ Women Empowerment favorite: Lean In, by Sheryl Sandberg
5. Favorite movie?Amelie

Wanda Fraguada, Marketing Manager

Wanda is a fashion-forward, vintage lover, and feminist who’s always dancing and singing. She develops Parallel18 marketing strategy and helps startups with their digital marketing needs. Her trademark? Very shiny shoes.

1. What’s your specialty? Digital and Content Marketing
2. Did you have a startup? If so describe: Yes. Several years ago a group of friends founded an agricultural technology startup and asked me to join the founders team as CMO. We sold close to 40 units. Sadly, things did not work out and we ended up closing the company. (And yes, it is the same company Marie describes in her profile.) I was also part of the founding team of a small digital marketing shop. I still collaborate with them in several initiatives.
3. What made you be part of the P18 team? I started working as a consultant for the program in February, but became part of the team in June. I fell in love with the chance to work in a project that has real benefit for the Island. In addition, I am a natural problem solver, so I like the chance to help startups solve their marketing needs.
4. Favorite book? OMG! I live to read and adore my Kindle, so there are many favorites. The Harry Potter series, by J.K Rowling is one of my all time faves. Also Aura, by Carlos Fuentes; A Streetcar Named Desire, by Tennessee Williams, and, most recently, The Butterfly Garden, by Dot Hutchison.
5. Favorite movie? Film is one of my main loves so this list will always be incomplete. I’ll try to break them down by genre: Geek Movies: Star Wars, Alien, Terminator, Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings (❤ Argon) and most Marvel films/ Classic Hollywood: Gone with the Wind, Casablanca, and A Streetcar Named Desire./ Movies that make me think: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Last Night, Closer, How to Survive a Plague/ Spanish-speaking films: La Piel que Habito, El Secreto de sus Ojos.

Jonathan Ortiz, Lead Designer

Jonathan is art. He’s a muralist, graphic designer, and visual data mastermind. Joni created the P18 brand, and is always available to help and give feedback about our startups branding.

1. What’s your specialty? Design/Thinking Outside of the Box
2. Did you have a startup? If so describe: Yup. I had a small skateboarding company with 2 other Puerto Rican founders. They were made out of recycled wood and it was called Soap boards. Cost of production was too high compared to regular skateboards. Branding was dope tho.
3. What made you be part of the P18 team? I studied psychology, law and design. As a designer I bring an open mind, a quick wit and a fun brand that says “I’m on point”. A company’s style is a thing of taste, but a brand is perspective towards the future of the company.
4. Favorite book? Harry Potter series, by J.K Rowling (except that last “play”); Much Ado About Nothing, by William Shakespeare; 100 Years of Solitude, by Gabriel García Márquez; The Tunnel, by Ernesto Sabato; and Cain, by José Saramago.
5. Favorite movie? The Breakfast Club, Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World, Toy Story, Good Will Hunting, Garden State, The Incredibles, V for Vendetta, Star Wars, Harry Potter.

Ready to spend 20 weeks with our #WorkHardPlayTropical team?

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