With 2,400 entrepreneurs in their worldwide network (70 in Argentina), Enablis is a nonprofit organization geared towards serving entrepreneurs in developing countries to create wealth through job creation. “We focus on innovative entrepreneurs with existing or early stage businesses that have the potential to expand internationally,” says Rose Vervenne, Director of Enablis Latin America.
Rose Vervenne, Director of Enablis Latin America
Originally focusing on South African entrepreneurs, Enablis has quickly expanded to six different countries (five in Africa and one in Latin America). They offer several programs to support their members including peer support groups (known as Enablis Circles or E-Circles), mentoring by successful entrepreneurs from around the world, coaches that meet with entrepreneurs to discuss their top two priorities for the quarter, and several other business improvement programs.
Marcelo Klein, CEO & Co-Founder of Pigmalion Studios
For Marcelo Klein, Enablis member and CEO of Pigmalion Studios, it was the Enablis Circles that first caught his attention. “The E-Circles are a place of trust where you can tell fellow entrepreneurs what you are thinking, feeling and going through, both as a company and personally,” says Marcelo. “We call our E-Circle: Vegas. That’s because what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas and it’s the same for what is said during E-Circle peer support meetings.” Marcelo also credits his Enablis mentor as one of the biggest influencers on his business life. “He has experience taking a company from 2 people to 250 in under two years. We meet every two weeks to discuss what’s going on in Pigmalion Studios. It has made a huge impact for me and Pigmalion.”
With a focus on mobile applications and services, Pigmalion Studios develops technology solutions for clients like Visa, Forbes Argentina and others. They’ve been in business for four years. “When we first started out in mobile, our clients just didn’t understand the power of mobile technology for business. Now mobile technology is huge and we’re growing fast and steady!” In addition to their early start in mobile technology, “another big differentiator is our people,” says Marcelo. “I have two clients: our consumers and our employees. Our people are our key to success. We focus on hiring not only key techs, but good people.” Because of connections formed through Enablis, Marcelo expects to expand operations to the rest of Latin America, Europe and the U.S. over the next five years.
But, Pigmalion Studios isn’t the only organization looking to expand operations. “Five years from now, I’d love for Enablis to be in Chile, Colombia, Peru, Brazil and maybe even start our first chapter in Asia,” says Rose. What’s holding Enablis back from growth? “Because we are a non profit we have to figure out how to make a big impact with small resources,” cautions Rose. “We have to stay lean and we have to be super focused on creating an entrepreneurial movement from the base. We have to become an exponential organization.” Rose believes that if Enablis can stay lean and think exponentially, the organization will expand rapidly and continue to influence entrepreneurial growth in the developing world.
