In a world shaped by constant change, the women who stand at the forefront of technological advancement hold the key to our future. 21-year-old Catalina Valentino is one such woman. A co-founder and CEO of ELIXR, she’s crafting a vision of tomorrow that’s as exhilarating as inclusive. Her work embodies the potential for technological progress to reshape our world, empowering people, protecting the planet, and inspiring the leaders of tomorrow.
A Legacy in the Making
Born into a multicultural background, living in London, UK, and fluent in Spanish, English, and French, Catalina’s journey began at an early age. As a prodigious learner, she obtained her first GCSE at just 11 and embarked on a business management Bachelor’s degree at 16. Her pursuit of academic excellence continued unabated, leading her to graduate studies at the tender age of 19 while simultaneously holding a leadership role in the corporate world. Her academic foray into Harvard Contract Law and Cambridge Sustainability and Circular Economics only highlight the breadth of her diverse talents and commitment to acquiring and sharing knowledge. It’s no wonder she was recognized as a Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2022. Catalina’s literary accomplishments include two forthcoming books and collaborations with influential players, Una Terra Impact Venture Capital Fund, Financial Times, and Il Sole 24 Ore. “I’ve always believed that the best way to predict the future is to invent it,” Catalina says. And that’s precisely what she is doing with ELIXR.
A Vision for a Sustainable Future
What is ELIXR? Catalina explains: “ELIXR is an ecosystem of Technology Companies, with ESG embedded at our roots all (meta)connected via the UNS in industry 4.0 (after web3) to create smart cities.” She clarifies: “Industry 4.0 is what follows after web3. As humans, we’ve already transitioned from web2 to web3; industry 4.0 is where the next future is, with early adopters such as Tesla.” In practical terms, ELIXR comprises a suite of eight tech companies poised to launch within the next six months. From LiDAR, Digital Twins, Social Decarbonisation, Sustainable Finance, and Policy to Live Data, each venture is steeped in sustainability. This is a conscious choice on Catalina’s part, aimed at using technology to address and mitigate the challenges posed by climate change. “We plan to (meta)connect all our technologies via the UNS to create smart cities,” Catalina further explains, adding that: “The UNS is short for The Unified Namespace. Essentially, the UNS is a centralized space for storing, accessing, and using all data in one place.” This integration allows the various companies under ELIXR to work in tandem, thus enabling an infrastructure and backbone to the marketplace. With UNS, data no longer operates linearly but is unified in a centralized hub that streamlines the functioning of all smart elements in a business. This technology aims to unify and bridge different technologies to work seamlessly together, laying the groundwork for a mixed reality future on ELIXR’s hosting platform, Planet.Earth.
A New Breed of Venture Builder
ELIXR’s scope isn’t limited to the UNS. Catalina describes it as a ‘venture builder.’ Unlike traditional accelerators or venture capitalists who provide limited support or cash, a venture builder provides startups with both on an ongoing basis. In this model, ELIXR offers technical expertise, strategic vision, dynamic design, and business experience. ELIXR’s mission is to support visionaries driving technology and sustainability. “We aim to solve today’s climate and social issues with the people of tomorrow listening to the people who built what we have,” Catalina affirms. “ELIXR plans to solve and face climate and social issues, both through its immense focus on the future of tomorrow’s business economy and through its non-profit arm, ELIXR Foundation.” This vision to bring about positive change in the world through integrating emerging tech and sustainability is a testament to her unwavering dedication and pioneering spirit. “We want to do more,” she adds. “ELIXR plans to unlock the potential of our world by building the marketplace of the future available to all.”
A Commitment to Sustainability
Catalina’s work goes beyond tech innovation. Her commitment to sustainability and social impact is a recurrent theme in her ventures. Notably, she’s an advisor to a $200 million venture capital impact fund focused on climate tech. Her passion for sustainability extends to personal investments as well. She’s the lead investor in Waxelene, a sustainable skincare brand making significant strides in Australia and the UAE. Catalina also advises the British Youth Council on policy, fundraising, and go-to-market strategies, ensuring her touch is felt in various spheres. Despite her impressive achievements, Catalina’s nowhere near done. She’s co-authoring a book on sustainability, deep tech education, impact, and innovation, all while starting a Ph.D. She also plans to use the books she’s writing to contribute to her doctoral studies. All this, and she’s only 21.
Technology’s Power
When asked about her belief in the transformative power of technology, Catalina doesn’t hesitate. “Technology has the power to serve and shape the future of tomorrow and create better generations of the future,” she shares. Catalina is optimistic about the impact of technology on jobs and career fulfilment. She believes that while technology might replace certain tasks, it will ultimately create more opportunities for individuals to apply their skills more effectively and find more fulfilling careers. She draws on Gary Vee’s parallel with the introduction of the tractor in boosting agriculture: “Whilst there are beliefs around it taking jobs away, it’ll create more opportunity for fulfilment and social impact.” When discussing her contribution to the innovation ecosystem, Catalina emphasizes her multifaceted role. “My role is, first and foremost, the innovation side of things.” She sees herself as a voice for her generation. She uses platforms like LinkedIn and Instagram to inform and inspire, highlighting intricate aspects of the tech industry. “I want to be that voice of this generation to speak to people in this generation and others because there isn’t anything like that now.” She emphasizes educating and leading the next generation: “If I can lead the next generation, uniting generations, flipping the script entirely, that’s my contribution.”
Overcoming Obstacles
One of the critical challenges that Catalina identifies is the bias she has faced due to her age and gender. As a young woman in the tech industry, she’s encountered numerous situations where her competence and commitment were underestimated. Despite these obstacles, she remains unfazed and resilient. “I’m about to start a Ph.D.; I started my first degree at 16. In six years, I’ve had management experience, leadership experience, run a successful company; built more; and now, I’m in the tech space.” Catalina’s definition of success and motivation is profound: “I have a huge ambition to drive a better future, and many say they want to change the world, but I want to make it better.” She represents a new generation of tech entrepreneurs: fearless, resilient, and committed to positively impacting the world. With Catalina at the forefront, the future’s in safe hands.
