Digital
skills in Bolivia rank, on average, below the rest of Latin America and the
Caribbean. According to the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the country
scores 3.2 out of 8, compared to a regional average of 3.6. The figure is also
lower than the average score for OECD countries, which stands at 4.9.
As digital
tools become increasingly valued in the job market, proficiency in them is
essential for employability. To expand access to this kind of training, Nair
Perez Poppe (Bolivia, 30) launched 10Minds, a tech hub that provides STEM
(Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education to children,
along with digital skills and tech-based entrepreneurship and employability
tools for youth and adults.
The
organization offers training programs in web and mobile software development,
digital literacy, and educational robotics, while also creating pathways for
students to enter the labor market. What sets 10Minds apart is its ability to
tailor and adapt its teaching methodologies to the specific context of each
student group, ensuring relevant and effective learning.
“By
offering specialized training in technology to youth and adults, we enhance
their employability and entrepreneurship skills. This not only fosters
professional growth and business innovation, but also strengthens the
socioeconomic fabric by generating employment and improving the quality of life
in underserved communities in Bolivia and beyond,” says the entrepreneur. Perez, who
holds a degree in Business Administration from the San Francisco Xavier
University of Chuquisaca (Bolivia), points out that limited resources,
inadequate infrastructure, and the lack of educational programs tailored to
local needs have been major barriers for young Bolivians trying to access these
tools.
10Minds
began as a hobby. After earning an MBA and participating in various
entrepreneurship and leadership programs, Perez realized that technology could
be a powerful tool to “generate real change.” On weekends, she and her brother
began teaching other young people how to use digital tools. “What started as a
hobby is now 10Minds—a place where we not only train children and young people
in tech skills, but also improve their employability prospects and even create
jobs. I never imagined something so small could grow so much!” she reflects.
To date,
10Minds has trained more than 2,500 children in STEM and educational robotics,
sparking an interest in science and technology from an early age. Additionally,
over 3,000 adults have been trained in web and mobile software development, as
well as in digital tools that strengthen their entrepreneurial efforts and
professional profiles. This
success has positioned the platform as the lead coach and official
representative for Bolivia in the First Global Challenge, gaining international
recognition and showcasing Bolivian talent in high-level competitions.
Moreover,
through its corporate social responsibility arm, 10Minds has delivered access
to tech education and professional development opportunities in underserved
communities, helping bridge both the digital and gender divide. Looking
ahead, the organization has plans for international expansion and consolidation
in Spanish-speaking markets such as the United States. “We aim to continue
working with governments, businesses, and organizations to bring our STEM and
tech skills training to more communities,” Perez states.
In 2021,
Nair Perez won the TOYP Chuquisaca award in the category of Business, Economic,
or Entrepreneurial Accomplishments. In 2024, she became the first Bolivian
selected from over 300 applicants across Ibero-America to serve as an
ambassador for Madrid City Council’s Puentes de Talento program. She is also a
TEDx speaker, mentor in entrepreneurship programs, and organizer of
startup-related events. Now, she is among the 35 Innovators Under 35 selected
by MIT Technology Review in Spanish.
