Entrepreneurs’ Organization Expands Opportunities for Business Owners in Latin America with Launch of EO Mérida

The new Mexican chapter joins EO’s global community, becoming its 23^rd in the EO network across Latin America and the Caribbean, and sixth chapter in Mexico

20 August 2024 (Merida, Mexico/Virginia, U.S.)—The Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) proudly welcomes its newest chapter, EO Mérida, located in the northwest of Mexico’s Yucatán peninsula. EO Mérida is the sixth EO chapter in Mexico and 23rd chapter in the global network’s community across Latin America and the Caribbean. With its launch, EO’s international reach now extends across 224 chapters in 61 countries worldwide.

Severo Perez, EO’s Regional Chair who oversees its chapters in Latin America and the Caribbean, welcomed the network’s newest member community: “EO Mérida has shown us how a chapter can be born strong and healthy, laying the foundations for rapid growth and providing value to its members from the start. Its launch has been one of the fastest we have achieved in the EO Latin America and Caribbean region and made possible by a group of true entrepreneurs who demonstrated an extraordinary ability to venture out, be brave, and take risks.”

EO Mérida was launched with 34 business owners, including three under the age of 35. Collectively, the entrepreneurs represent companies in 10 industries ranging from construction and education to technology and renewable energy. To qualify for membership, entrepreneurs must be the owner, founder or majority stakeholder of a business earning a minimum of US$1 million in revenue during the most recent fiscal year.

The new chapter’s founding president is Fabian Silva, CEO of Elipower, a leading labels and packaging company in Mérida, Mexico. Victor Treviño, a five-year member of EO Guadalajara and Growth Director for EO’s member-led Regional Council, collaborated with Jorge Duarte, Membership Chair of EO Mérida, to recruit members.

In reflecting on the journey to open the new chapter, Treviño said, “This was possible thanks to the coordination between our global, regional and local champions, who quickly understood the magic of EO and spread their enthusiasm to other business owners in the Yucatán state. We will foster collaboration, innovation, and support among local entrepreneurs, and further solidify Mérida’s status as a beacon of regional prosperity and security.”

Mérida, the state capital of Yucatán, is renowned for its rich cultural heritage and vibrant business community. Famous for its colonial architecture and proximity to ancient Mayan ruins, Mérida has also become a hub for entrepreneurs in the country. The city has demonstrated dynamic business growth and innovation and is recognized as one of the safest cities in Latin America, making it an ideal location for the newest EO chapter.

EO’s journey in Latin America began with the launch of its first chapter in Mexico City in 1993. Since then, EO has expanded its presence in Latin America and the Caribbean with chapters in 13 countries. In Mexico, the new EO chapter in Mérida now joins five others: Mexico City, Querétaro, Monterrey, Guadalajara, and Cancun-Riviera. Together, these chapters connect nearly 400 successful entrepreneurs and business founders across the Mexican Republic. 

EO’S Regional Manager for the region, Glorisabel Garrido, who helped the new members organize, said “The launch of this new chapter is a significant milestone for entrepreneurs in Mexico, and the culmination of a journey that began during 2023’s LACademy, the region’s annual learning and social event. It highlights the region's increasing importance in international enterprise and signals a promising future for entrepreneurs here.”

“I have no doubt that this new chapter will soon become a large one, given the excellent reception of EO across the community,” added Perez.

New members of EO Mérida will have opportunities to meaningfully connect with other leading entrepreneurs across Mexico, through chapter events and small Forum groups that provide special training for confidential and accountable experience sharing. They will also gain entry to a much larger and even more diverse community of entrepreneurs, spanning 86 countries in the EO network worldwide. Membership also comes with exclusive access to regional and global events available to members and their spouses or life partners.

To celebrate its founding, EO Mérida hosted an inaugural learning event for new and prospective members featuring successful, Mexican tech and media founder, Patricio Villalobos, who spoke about “The Anatomy of Entrepreneurship”. Oxford Professor and Banker Enrique Covarrubias also shared his insights around economic expectations for the coming year. A series of future social and learning events will be offered to members and candidates, including networking meetups and educational workshops that are designed to introduce entrepreneurs to EO’s unique culture and their peers across the country.

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Notes to Editors:

For media inquiries or additional information, please contact: press@eonetwork.org

For more information about EO Mérida and upcoming events, please email Susana Pérez at chapter@eomerida.org

Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO) The Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) is the world’s largest membership network exclusively by entrepreneurs, for entrepreneurs everywhere. Since 1987, EO has been supporting the world’s leading builders of business to realize more of their potential by fostering connections, applying leadership skills, and creating belonging across industries and borders. Nearly 19,000 entrepreneurs in 80+ countries make up EO’s network of leaders, who enjoy local and global membership experiences that go beyond the business to support the whole entrepreneur. For more information or to get involved, follow us on Linkedin, Twitter, Instagram or Facebook and visit our website: www.eonetwork.org