Top 50 Rising Stars 2021 continued (in alphabetical order by CVC unit): Gonzalo Soriano, senior investment analyst, AC Ventures
Gonzalo Soriano is a senior investment analyst at AC Ventures, AC Ventures (ACV), a corporate venturing vehicle sponsored by Mexico-headquartered beverage distributor Arca Continental. He supports the investment process and portfolio management activities and is also in charge of research and entry strategy into new ecosystems.
Héctor Shibata, director of investments and portfolio of ACV, said: “Gonzalo’s addition to AC Ventures became relevant to broaden our scope of opportunities and to increase the strategic value we return to Arca Continental.
“His proactive mindset for finding new investment opportunities and his bold attitude to generate strategic relationships have been a key element for our entry strategy into the Brazilian and Israeli ecosystems. He is always keen to keep looking for emerging pain points across the different business units of the corporate, and connect with technological solutions. He has proven to be a motivated, challenge-seeking and ambitious team member assisting the fund to thrive.”
Arca Continental formed ACV in 2018 in a bid to back and partner technology companies that have passed their product evaluation stage and have market traction.
The fund invests directly in companies operating in the verticals of financial technology, retail technology, advanced analytics, logistics, distribution and supply chain. It also makes limited partner commitments to venture capital funds.
This past year, ACV has invested in four startups: Switzerland-based financial technology developer Sonect, India-based retail digitisation technology developer LoveLocal (formerly m.Paani), US-based autonomous retail system developer Zippin and Colombia-based logistics tech developer LiftIt.
Previously, Soriano was a business intelligence and sales force effectiveness analyst at surgical and eyecare equipment maker Alcon.
He holds a bachelor of science degree in financial management from ITESM Monterrey Tech (Tecnológico de Monterrey), having spent a year at University of British Columbia’s Sauder School of Business where he obtained a finance certificate.
