SOLBEN: Biodiesel Entrepreneurs Paving the Way In Mexico

Published: Thursday, 09 May 2013 18:21

Through their discussions and research trips, the foursome realized that—despite an energy boom in Mexico—Mexican companies were distributers, and not producers. They were importing technology from Germany and the United States. In response, Daniel, Guillermo, Antonio, and Mauricio formed a nonprofit to conduct biodiesel research.

It was 2009, and they believed they’d found a new way to produce biodiesel; their research could pave the way toward making Mexico more energy independent. They soon discovered that it wasn’t easy to receive grants from the government. So, they became a for-profit, got a client, and opened their first plant in Tabasco, Mexico.

SOLBEN—a made-up word combining the Spanish words for “solutions” and “biodiesel.” SOLBEN sells technology to produce biodiesel from non-food sources, and provides help (through training and other programs) in the biodiesel production process. Their short-term focus is on structure, centralization, and market positioning. They soon hope to include diversity in their operations. And, over the next 10-15 years, they want to launch SOLBEN on the Mexican stock exchange and develop corporate governance

They have garnered countless awards, including the Global Student Entrepreneur Award, SANTANDER Innovation Award, Talent and Innovation Challenges of the Americas 2011 Award, NY Stock Exchange Intelius Entrepreneurship Award, Mexican Stock Exchange Entrepreneurship Award, and the INC 30 Under 30 Award.

http://rise.mahindra.com/solben-biodiesel-entrepreneurs-paving-the-way-in-mexico/