Salvador Achondo’s story is more than a tale of entrepreneurship. His narrative epitomizes a fervent commitment to triple-impact businesses that have the potential to revolutionize the socio-economic and environmental landscapes in Latin America. Curtailing his tenure at the non-profit Techo para Chile, Achondo embarked on a bold venture into entrepreneurship, delving into the creation of enterprises aimed at generating economic, environmental, and social impact.
Finding his calling as a ‘problem solver,’ Achondo thrived in monitoring market challenges and converting them into business models capable of generating the much-sought-after triple impact. Within his 13 years of entrepreneurial practice, he has not only succeeded in founding numerous innovative companies geared towards uplifting Latin American society but has also shared invaluable insights on economically sustainable businesses at gatherings of international importance. On platforms as distinguished as the XVIII Latin American Conference at MIT and COP26, he expounded on how a seemingly mundane facet of e-commerce, post-sales processes, could be remodeled as a tool to counter its environmental impact.
Salvador Achondo’s entrepreneur-focused stewardship has seen him support upwards of 150 budding entrepreneurs, guiding them in establishing businesses with a positive impact.
As active part of the Start-Up Chile incubator under the Ministry of Economy, and a member of Reseau Entreprendre, Achondo endeavors to bolster entrepreneurial spirit. He is currently steering the helm of Getback, a company with a presence in Chile, Argentina, and Mexico, focusing on transforming the post-sales processes of e-commerce products into a tool that diminishes the carbon footprint e-commerce leaves.
Achondo’s track record imbued with stalwart commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship carves him out as an industry leader. Through his ventures, he has tackled market issues with multidimensional innovation, offering tangible solutions to economic, social, and environmental adversities. His business establishments are testimony to a leadership deeply invested in achieving positive outcomes that break through traditional boundaries.
Not restricting himself to the conventions of entrepreneurship, Achondo views himself as a globally committed citizen and advocate of corporate sustainability. His leadership in Getback and Algramo has not only helped in reducing the carbon footprint of e-commerce but also saved communities 360,000 kilograms of CO2. Furthermore, Achondo’s role in bestowing internet connectivity to impoverished areas via his Alcom venture and assisting small-scale business owners manage accounting through his Contable initiative underscores his dedication to fostering global collaboration and engagement.
In sharp contrast to mainstream business establishments, Achondo’s innovative ventures like Algramo, Alcom, Contable, and Getback contribute to broader social, economic, and environmental impact. Each project, from dispensing essential products affordably, connecting vulnerable people with the internet, simplifying administrative headaches of accounting for businesses, to transforming post-sales woes into profits and reducing waste, manifests Achondo’s commitment to solving pertinent challenges through innovation.
Amidst his laudable accomplishments, Salvador has been recognized as one of the “100 jóvenes líderes” (100 young leaders) by El Mercurio in 2014.. Furthermore, his active involvement in Start-Up Chile and Reseau Entreprendre reaffirms his dedication to advancing innovation and contributing positively to society and the environment.
The impacts of Achondo’s ventures can be quantified. Algramo has cut the cost of essential products by 30% and saved communities over 2.5 million litres of water thanks to reusable containers. Alcom has connected over 7,200 individuals living in extreme poverty to the internet. Contable has simplified accounting for over 1,800 micro and small business owners in Chile through WhatsApp. Getback has processed over 100,000 product return and exchange requests, saving at least 50% of these items from ending up in landfills, and recovering over 30% of the economic value for sellers.
With persistent dedication and the conviction to evolve industries with social, economic, and environmental impact solutions, Salvador Achondo’s entrepreneurial journey and the monumental changes he is triggering are testament to Latin America’s capacity for global difference. Salvador Achondo is not just a name, but a beacon of inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs, solution innovators, and responsible global citizens.
Achondo’s legacy can be tracked on his LinkedIn here: www.linkedin.com/in/salvador-achondo-469b9232/.
Published by: Martin De Juan
