Sebastián Ruales is a pioneering entrepreneur and one of Latin America’s most influential figures in startups, venture capital, and sustainability. With a proven track record of building transformative companies and scaling them globally, Sebastián is recognized as a benchmark for innovation, leadership, and sustainable growth.
As the Founder and CEO of Bia Energy, Sebastián is revolutionizing the energy sector in Latin America. By integrating cutting-edge technology and AI, Bia Energy is replacing outdated energy systems with smarter, more efficient infrastructure, empowering consumers and setting a new standard for sustainability. With investments from Kaszek, 8VC, Global Founders Capital, IDB Global Climate Fund, and RA Capital, Bia Energy has emerged as a leader in scalable and sustainable energy solutions, further solidifying its position as a bankable and reliable player in the energy market.
Prior to founding Bia, Sebastián was a founding team member at Rappi, where he played a pivotal role in driving the company’s revenue growth, monetization strategy, global partnerships, and new business developments. His contributions were instrumental in Rappi’s evolution into Colombia’s first unicorn and one of Y Combinator’s most successful alumni, with a valuation surpassing $1 billion.
Beyond his entrepreneurial ventures, Sebastián is a Managing Partner at Opera Capital and Venture Partner at MatterScale Ventures, supporting high-impact startups across Latin America. As part of the 8VC Entrepreneurial Internship Residency (EIR) program, he advises founders on navigating the complexities of scaling businesses in emerging markets.
Sebastián is deeply committed to advancing sustainability and innovation. At Bia Energy, he has created a business model that demonstrates how profitability and environmental stewardship can work hand in hand. His insights on building scalable, impactful businesses make him a sought-after speaker and thought leader.
His early career in L’Oréal, Quala, and Johnson & Johnson gave him a strong foundation in marketing and sales, earning him accolades such as the Merit Award for Best Employee. This corporate experience, combined with his entrepreneurial grit, has enabled Sebastián to build, scale, and lead some of the most innovative companies in the region.
Sebastián holds an MBA from Tulane University, a Master’s in Business from Icesi University, an Executive Program in Disruptive Innovation from Stanford Graduate School of Business, and an Executive Program from Singularity University.
