Liza Velarde

Yo, have you heard of Liza Velarde? She’s the real deal in biotech startup land. She jumped into the scene back in W17 when she rolled with Y Combinator’s Winter batch, man, that’s no joke. She’s Mexican but speaks three languages, Spanish, English, and French, making her a legit global player from the jump.

So, here’s the scoop: she’s the co-founder and CEO of Delee, this badass MedTech startup in Mexico. What they’re doing is next level, early cancer detection and tracking treatment through a blood test that isolates circulating tumor cells. Crazy, right? Like, instead of waiting till shit gets really bad, they’re catching it early, saving lives. That’s some serious science but also a huge big change for healthcare.

Her background? She studied International Business at ITESM, so she’s got that solid biz foundation. But what’s crazy is how she took that and turned it into a mission to fight cancer with tech. She’s been recognized worldwide, won the 2015 WeXchange Pitch Competition, took home the Cartier Women’s Initiative for Latin America in 2019, and even managed to raise a cool million bucks through crowdfunding during COVID. No cap, that’s some real hustle, raising that kind of cash in a pandemic? That takes guts and mad fundraising skills.

And she’s all about the money? Nah, that’s not her style. Liza’s laser-focused on pulling in local talent and transforming Latin America from just a market into a legit hub of science and tech innovation. She’s dead serious about pushing healthcare boundaries and making real waves in her region.

Beyond all that, she’s a leader who’s been recognized by big names like the Cartier Awards and the Inter-American Development Bank for her work. She’s also got this vibe of someone who’s in it for the long haul, driven by a desire to make real impact, not just chase shiny awards.

Bottom line? Liza Velarde is a powerhouse who turned her vision into a startup that’s actually saving lives. She’s proof that with the right mix of science, hustle, and heart, you can shake up the world. If you’re into startups, health tech, or just want to see how passion meets impact, she’s a name to keep an eye on.