From Nova Friburgo to the world: the power of having someone by your side

The story of João Victor Penin and his supporters, Romero Rodrigues and Beatriz de Orleans e Bragança, shows how connections can open doors and transform lives.

At 19, João has just landed in San Francisco to begin his degree at Minerva University, with the highest scholarship available. It is his first time outside Brazil.

But getting there took courage.

Born in Nova Friburgo, in the countryside of Rio de Janeiro state, João became interested in robotics in technical school and worked on tech inclusion for public school students in his hometown. To pursue study and career opportunities, he left home and lived on his own in three different states. In his words, that experience taught him independence, adaptation, and courage.

Along the way, he joined LALA, took part in the Geração Caldeira program, and started a degree in Software Engineering in São Paulo, all while continuing to help his mom, grandmother, and aunt run the family’s e-commerce business. On top of that, he dedicated himself to improving his English and to LALA’s University Placement program, the path that would eventually lead him to Minerva.

“The experiences that shaped me the most were the ones where I had to bet on something bigger than what felt comfortable or safe.”

San Francisco offers much more than a new city: a whole new academic world and countless new paths and opportunities for the future. In this new chapter, João wanted more than professional contacts. He was looking for experienced people he could talk to about important decisions and turn to for guidance at a time of so much change.

And it was in his very first week in Silicon Valley that he met Romero Rodrigues and Beatriz de Orleans e Bragança, through a LALA Impulso connection.

A relationship that starts with the desire to give back

What brought Romero and Beatriz to LALA Impulso was the chance to help shape a new generation and to give back the opportunities they received along their own journeys. When they met João, they immediately recognized his curiosity and openness to new experiences.

“We saw ourselves in that. Neither of us had a linear path, and much of what we’ve built came from experimenting before focusing.”

But they also recognized that they had different starting points.

“We’re aware that we come from different realities. João had to chase many opportunities that were more accessible to us. Being able to help him meet people and explore possibilities that might not have been so close to him is one of the best parts of this experience.”

For them, that is where the value of being a supporter lies: not in deciding which path João should take, but in sharing experiences, expanding his network, and offering new perspectives on his decisions.

Discovering what you don’t know yet

From their very first conversation, they encouraged João to make the most of college by experimenting with different fields before committing to a single path, without the pressure of having all the answers. One of his main takeaways was realizing that his curiosity could be an advantage, not an obstacle.

Another idea began to guide their conversations: “The more people you meet, places you go, and experiences you have, the more you discover possibilities you never knew existed.” It is what Romero and Beatriz call increasing your surface area for luck.

“I take with me the ability to make the most of the serendipity of the opportunities that come my way, no matter what city I’m in,” says João.

When new connections become opportunities

That idea came to life during San Francisco Tech Week, when Romero and Beatriz invited João to a Brazilian barbecue that brought together startup founders and other names from Silicon Valley’s tech ecosystem, including the founder of The North Face.

It was the first event in San Francisco where João was able to build deeper professional connections. It led to conversations about entrepreneurship and venture capital, invitations to new events, and even job interviews.

But not all learning happens at big events. João especially remembers the car ride back from Palo Alto to San Francisco, when Beatriz shared her observations about young entrepreneurs and the most common mistakes at the start of a career.

Sometimes, an introduction brings someone closer to an opportunity. Other times, a conversation helps avoid a mistake or see a decision from a different perspective.

An exchange that goes beyond mentorship

The relationship, however, doesn’t go just one way. While Romero and Beatriz share the experience they’ve built as entrepreneurs and professionals, João brings the perspective of a new generation.

“João is part of a generation that grew up in a completely different context from ours, especially with artificial intelligence. It’s great to hear how he thinks, what his ambitions are, and how he sees the future. It ends up being a much richer exchange than we ever imagined.”

And they add: “There’s something that might not be so clear before you start: we learn a lot, too. It’s a chance to be close to incredible young people, understand how this new generation thinks, and, in some way, follow what they’re going to build.”

The confidence to build your own path

For Romero and Beatriz, supporting young people like João is also a way to contribute to the future of Brazil and its innovation ecosystem.

“If we want to see Brazil thrive and fully enter the age of innovation, with a strong ecosystem, we need to bet on young people and help however we can. And for a talented young person, what’s missing is rarely ability. It’s access: someone to introduce you to the right people, explain how the game works, and say ‘I made a mistake here, take another path.’ A single conversation or introduction can save years.”

Even with the relationship still in its early days, João already feels its impact. He sums up the program in one word: “disruptive.”

“LALA Impulso takes you out of ‘me against the world’ mode and puts you next to people who, most of the time, have already been through what you’re going through, and who want you to succeed the same way.”

Over the next five years, he hopes to finish his degree and develop his own solutions, drawing on his supporters’ knowledge and connections to sharpen his ideas.

His journey is just beginning. But something has already changed: João now knows he doesn’t have to walk it alone. For him, having someone by his side throughout his journey means “the confidence to take risks.”

Potential grows when it meets opportunity

LALA Impulso connects young Latin American leaders with people willing to invest in their growth over the years. Each supporter is matched with a LALíder whose journey and interests align with their own, and the relationship takes shape at each pair’s own pace: there is no fixed meeting schedule.

Beyond their financial contribution, which helps expand the number of young people supported, they share knowledge, broaden networks, and help young leaders explore possibilities that can shape their next steps. They can also get involved in different ways: mentoring young leaders, taking part in LALA events, following results through impact reports, or serving as program ambassadors.

The story of João, Romero, and Beatriz shows that you don’t always need a ready-made answer. Often, what matters most is being present, sharing what you’ve learned, and creating opportunities for new paths to emerge.

Because talent is everywhere. Opportunity should be too.

Want to be part of this transformation? Learn more about LALA Impulso and discover how you can empower a young leader’s journey.

Learn more: https://lalaimpulso.latinamericanleadershipacademy.org