Where Community Blossoms

When we think of Peruvian startups, our eyes often turn to Lima. But in the northern city of Piura, Manzana Verde’s journey proves that the most powerful stories often grow far from the spotlight.

In 2018, Larissa Arias and Carlos Andrade launched their venture with a compelling goal: to make healthy eating accessible. Today, Manzana Verde serves customers across three countries. Yet, their path wasn't easy. Starting outside the capital meant navigating a landscape with fewer networks and a steeper climb to access capital.

That context began to shift when they reconnected with Hub UDEP, the Innovation Center of their alma mater.

“Hub UDEP gave us three key things in the early days: an introduction to the startup world, mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs, and the connections we needed to scale from Piura to Lima, and eventually beyond Peru” Larissa recalls. “We wanted to build something big, but we didn’t yet know how. Hub UDEP helped us enter the startup and venture capital ecosystem and connected us with experts who guided our first real steps as a startup.”

Carlos Rodrich, Director of Hub UDEP, highlights how early talent and community support converged in Manzana Verde’s journey:

“From the start, the potential of Larissa and Carlos was evident: a strong entrepreneurial mindset and uncommon resilience. Even before their time at the Hub, they already showed a clear vision for growth. What truly amplified that talent was access to community and networks; the support from the incubator and the investment network created key connections that helped them scale and consolidate their impact.”

Years later, that same network would prove decisive.

In early 2024, Manzana Verde secured an angel investment from Katherine Saavedra and Judy Ramírez. The connection wasn't new; both were graduates of the WISE Latin America - Peru, led by Hub UDEP, and both had been personally mentored by Larissa in their own entrepreneurial journeys.

Driven to engage further, Katherine and Judy learned about angel investing through Hub UDEP’s partner initiative, the PAD Angel Investor Network. It was there, at an investment forum, that their path converged with Larissa’s once more. This time, she wasn’t a mentor; she was a founder seeking investment.

“What struck me most was the way Larissa spoke from personal experience, not just from a business perspective” Judy shares. “Behind Manzana Verde, I saw a real story, the struggle to eat better when the environment doesn’t make it easy. She wasn’t delivering a pitch; she was sharing a purpose.”

This moment transcended a simple transaction. It was the culmination of years of shared learning.

"Larissa was in our first incubation program. She returned as a mentor. Now, she receives investment from women she connected with through WISE Latin America" shares Eddie Valdiviezo, Director of Hub UDEP’s incubator. "To see that circle close is our greatest pride. We learned early on, through experts and feedback, that true impact doesn’t come from money or a strong pitch. It emerges from building a community. Trust is the fuel that drives entrepreneurs."

This milestone sends a potent message: in Piura, a strong network believes and invests in its own. And when women support women, transformative change takes shape. Beyond success, this story is proof that with the right people, even the hardest roads lead to extraordinary opportunities.