Erik Leija is a seasoned startup operator and AI-driven product strategist with a proven track record in scaling B2B/B2C fintech, payments, lending, and SaaS companies across Latin America. With deep operational expertise and a sharp understanding of venture dynamics, Erik has played a pivotal role in driving growth, fundraising, and innovation at every stage of the startup lifecycle. 🚀 Startup Operator & VC-Backed Growth Leader Scaled four high-growth startups — including two unicorns — by aligning AI innovation with business fundamentals and market needs. Key contributor to $110M+ raised in Series B rounds, working closely with top-tier investors to accelerate product innovation and go-to-market execution. Deep experience managing cross-functional teams, leading zero-to-one product development, and navigating complex regulatory and financial environments across LATAM. Founder of Impulsando Academy, an EdTech SaaS that trained professionals in 18+ countries, enabling enterprise automation (SAP, Oracle, Dynamics) and 2x salary growth. Creator of Jobie, an AI-powered talent platform for optimized job matching and workforce upskilling. Expert in leveraging frontier AI (GPT-4, Claude, Llama, Gemini) to automate credit, payments, and operational processes, delivering intelligent experiences at scale. Erik blends strategic vision, hands-on execution, and a deep understanding of VC-backed scaling to build and grow disruptive companies at the intersection of AI, fintech, and SaaS in emerging markets.
