Edson Mackeenzy

Business adviser, Business mentor, Educator/Teacher, Explorer, Investor, World traveler, Writer/Editor

Edson Mackeenzy is a bestselling author, business strategist, and investment expert dedicated to shaping the future of entrepreneurship in Latin America. As an educator at Business Design Academy and Community Escola de Influenciadores, he empowers new generations of creators and founders. Mackeenzy has held strategic roles at leading investment firms such as The Venture City (USA) and Bossa Nova Investimentos, and made his mark as founder and CEO of Videolog.tv, the world’s first global video-sharing platform—pioneering digital storytelling ahead of the social media boom. A two-time TEDx speaker, Mackeenzy was named Brazil’s Best Business Mentor by the #StartupAwards. He serves on multiple advisory boards, writes for *Administradores.com*, and plays an active role in startup acceleration across Latin America. He is widely recognized as one of Brazil’s most influential entrepreneurs.

I started selling coffee at 12 in my neighborhood—not because I wanted to, but because I had to. That early hustle taught me resilience. Years later, I became a pioneer in global video sharing with Videolog.tv. My journey has always been about breaking rules, challenging the status quo, and turning “no” into action. When the traditional path wasn’t open to me, I made my own. That spirit drives my work today—helping companies grow globally and empowering entrepreneurs to lead with courage and creativity. My passion lies in democratizing knowledge and building communities where innovation isn’t a buzzword, but a shared practice. Through Business Design Academy and Community Escola de Influenciadores, I help creators turn potential into progress. To me, innovation isn’t just tech—it’s about access, empathy, and inclusion. I share my journey to inspire others to lead boldly, no matter where they start.

From pioneering digital storytelling with Videolog.tv to leading investment strategies at The Venture City and Bossa Nova, I’ve dedicated my career to shaping the entrepreneurial landscape of Latin America. As an investor, business strategist, and educator, I don’t just fund ideas—I help founders refine their vision, design sustainable models, and pitch with clarity and impact. My work blends service design, marketing insight, and business acumen to turn innovation into long-term value. Whether mentoring startups or teaching at Business Design Academy, my mission is to empower creators to lead with purpose and scale with strategy.

In “Alô, Comunidade!”, I told the story of how growing up in a favela in Rio taught me everything I needed to know about innovation, connection, and leadership. I shared the moment in 2011 when a simple samba I made up during a trip to Silicon Valley brought together a scattered group of Brazilian entrepreneurs in a foreign land. That day, something clicked: real innovation starts with community. I spoke about music, bars, churches, and street corners—everyday spaces that became hubs of creativity and survival. I compared the bar my parents ran to today’s innovation labs, and the trust-based system of “fiado” (buy now, pay later) to angel investment. The point? The favela taught me what no MBA ever could: how to see value where others see lack. This talk wasn’t just about my story—it was about the invisible potential in every overlooked community. If you can imagine something better, and if you believe enough to act, you’re already building the future.

People don’t know I’m good at seeing the future in people before they see it in themselves." I don’t just invest in startups—I invest in potential. I’ve learned to spot talent, vision, and grit in founders long before they have traction or funding. That instinct has helped me build movements, not just companies.