Today we have the opportunity learn more about Fernando Monsalvete, strategy mentor at La Lonja de la Innovación, with whom we have sat down to talk about his career and entrepreneurship in Huelva.
Fernando is a RETA (Red de Espacios Tecnológicos de Andalucía) technician at Centro Tecnológico del Calzado (CITVAL) and technologist at the Parque Científico Tecnológico de Huelva (PCTH), positions that make him as proud as being a strategy mentor at La Lonja de la Innovación, something that gives him the opportunity to achieve one of his goals: to promote entrepreneurship in Huelva, an objective for which he promotes technology watch, since in the province of Huelva it is something that is unknown and is vital for its development, he assures.
Entrepreneurship in Huelva
He was born in El Rompido (Huelva), a place that keeps him close to the sea, with which he maintains a close relationship. He is passionate about his land and innovation, so when it comes to entrepreneurship in Huelva, he is always committed to contribute his bit, as he believes that there are very interesting projects in various sectors.
Our mentor affirms that, nowadays, entrepreneurship can be carried out from anywhere in the world thanks to the Internet and new technologies. So this innovation and entrepreneurship must be promoted in Huelva, where its development is possible too. Fernando thinks that it is essential to publicize the projects and the startups present in the province, so that the province realizes how vital innovation is.In addition to promoting technology transfer between the knowledge agents of Huelva.
His work at La Lonja de la Innovación
To make this possible, Fernando strives as a mentor at La lonja de la Innovación, where he advises entrepreneurs on shaping their value proposition and focusing it into a business model. In addition, he wants to transmit to everyone the essential values needed to be a good entrepreneur: “believing in your value proposition, being proactive and surrounding yourself with the right team”, since, as he affirms, it is not possible to do it alone.
From La Lonja, with his role of mentor and his experience, he helps and give really useful advice to everyone who need it such as, for example, the importance of making your idea known, as feedback is necessary to determine if it meets a need, "the fear of sharing your idea hinders its development and is a major mistake for an entrepreneur."
Puerto de Huelva faces challenges that need solutions, and as our mentor has made clear, "La Lonja de la Innovación is the space for that." For this reason, Fernando encourages anyone considering presenting their project to La Lonja: "It is a very interesting space, unique in Huelva, to develop your value proposition focused on Logistics and Transportation, where FIWARE technology is a key reference."
Finally, Fernando didn’t want to leave without offering some recommendations to inspire our entrepreneurs. He suggests the show Startup and the book Business Model You by Yves Pigneur as two great ways to get inspired and learn while being entertained.
It has been a pleasure to learn more about our strategy mentor, Fernando Monsalvete, who is part of our team of professional mentors, working every day to foster the development of innovation and entrepreneurship in Huelva.