JoinMyLife Club unveils the latest partnership development at Platanus Ventures, where collaboration and mentorship thrive. Learn how Platanus Ventures has added a new visiting partner, Jan Heinvirta, to its team, fostering opportunities for business growth and strategic connections.
Elevating Success with a Transitory Partner: In a strategic move, Platanus Ventures has recruited Jan Heinvirta, a Swiss entrepreneur based in Mexico, as a visiting partner. This addition aims to enhance the success potential of their startup portfolio by providing mentorship, valuable connections, and engaging content.
Heinvirta’s Impressive Background: Jan Heinvirta’s entrepreneurial journey includes founding Perfekto, a foodtech startup in October 2020. Perfekto focused on rescuing aesthetically rejected vegetables from the industry and delivering them to Mexican households at a 30% discount. In 2021, Perfekto participated in Y Combinator and gained recognition as one of Forbes magazine’s “30 Business Promises of 2023.” They secured a pre-seed funding round of $1.1 million and served over 10,000 customers.
A Unique Opportunity Arises: Despite his entrepreneurial success, Heinvirta faced the obligation of completing mandatory military service in Switzerland, where he hails from. He completed the first part, lasting 21 weeks, with 245 days remaining. It was during this period that Platanus Ventures (PV) extended an invitation.
Paula Enei, a key figure at PV, reached out to Heinvirta upon learning of Perfekto’s closure. She invited him for coffee to discuss PV’s initiatives. Heinvirta already had some familiarity with PV through Joaco Stephens, a partner at Platanus Ventures, and their office in Mexico. Subsequently, a meeting with Agustín Feuerhake, Joaquín, and Andrés Matte solidified their compatibility. He felt a strong alignment with Platanus Ventures’ mission and recognized a significant opportunity when PV offered him a role on their team.
Sharing Experience and Wisdom: Heinvirta believes that his experience can be invaluable to early-stage startups. He highlights the overwhelming nature of the initial startup phase, filled with questions and fears. Having someone who has navigated this terrain can provide crucial guidance. For Heinvirta, conversations with founders who had already embarked on similar journeys were invaluable. Whether they had achieved a successful exit or not, the knowledge that someone else had faced similar battles made the journey more manageable.
Embracing the Opportunity: Heinvirta sees his involvement with PV as a chance to reflect on Perfekto’s accomplishments and experiences. He values the prospect of determining whether he wants to continue with Platanus for an extended period or if he’ll return to entrepreneurship. The partnership provides him with the opportunity to stay motivated and add value, avoiding a return to corporate life.
Platanus Ventures’ collaboration with Jan Heinvirta signifies a commitment to fostering business growth, mentorship, and enduring partnerships. JoinMyLife Club encourages you to explore the dynamic world of startup development and strategic collaborations, as exemplified by this exciting partnership at Platanus Ventures.
