Laboratoria was born with
the audacious dream of
transforming the growing
Latin American tech sector into
a source of opportunity for
women in our region
A few years ago, we started a web development
agency in Lima. We were three rookie
entrepreneurs trying to figure out what to do,
but against all odds, we started doing quite well.
Every month we landed new projects, so we had
to start building our own software development
team. We went out in search of developers all
around Lima, just to realize it would be a much
more difficult task than we thought. Technology
builders were apparently a rare breed, and
women in this space seemed to be on their way
to extinction.
Soon we started asking ourselves why. The
answer was simple: decades of stereotypes
telling us that this is no space for women, and an
education system that has yet to figure out how
to adapt to the rapid pace of change in tech.
In a somewhat narcotic episode of
overconfidence, we decided to start Laboratoria
to address both issues.
Mariana Costa
Co-founder & CEO
After a few setbacks, we designed a unique
learning experience. Not specifically because
of its content or infrastructure, but mostly
because it brings together incredibly talented
women willing to fight for a better future. We
built a place where beyond learning coding
or design, our students come to build shared
dreams that make everything possible. Inspired
by their strength, we went out to show the best
companies in town that although our societies
have made us think that the only way to assess
professional value is through a university degree,
in today’s and tomorrow’s world, skills are much
more important than diplomas.
With their first professional steps, our graduates
showed companies that we could be a great
source of talent for their tech teams, and so we
began working with leading organizations to
ease the pain of finding such talent. We helped
hundreds of companies change how their tech
teams look and work, transforming them into an
example of diversity and inclusion. After earning
their trust, we started working with these same
companies to train their teams and speed up the
pace of digital transformation, driving the growth
of a sector that represents endless opportunities
for our graduates and our region.
In the journey of reaching thousands of students
we’ve come to realize that having more women
designing and building technology today is the
best way to ensure that we, women, are also
part of designing our world’s future. And we are
certain a future co-designed by women and men
will be a better future for humanity.
Today our dream is becoming a reality.
We are changing the rules of the game and
building a competitive, diverse and inclusive tech
sector that can create opportunities for more
people, transforming Latin America’s productive
base and preparing our region to succeed in a
knowledge economy. This is our contribution,
and we could not be any prouder.
2018 was an amazing year of learnings and
accomplishments and through this annual
report, we want to share more of it. It is also
an opportunity to deeply thank all of those
organizations and people who have supported us
along the way. You know who you are - without
you, our work and impact would not be possible.
We hope you enjoy it!
4|Laboratoria Impact Report
Laboratoria Impact Report|5