Marcus Dantus

Marcus Dantus is a renowned serial entrepreneur and angel investor with three decades of experience creating, operating, investing in, and advising startups throughout Mexico, the United States, and Latin America. His career reflects an unwavering commitment to building strong entrepreneurial ecosystems and strengthening competitiveness across the region. Known for his strategic vision and a results-driven approach, Marcus continues to be a key figure for organizations, founders, and institutions seeking real-world guidance on innovation and business growth.

Book Marcus Dantus for your event

Booking Marcus Dantus brings audiences a unique combination of expertise, lived experience, and the ability to translate complex innovation and entrepreneurship principles into practical and inspiring insights. As the founder and president of Startup México considered the most ambitious program dedicated to fostering entrepreneurship in the country he has helped create more than 1,000 companies and supported over 2,500 entrepreneurs. His work has shaped a new generation of founders and continues to strengthen the region’s impact on the global stage.

Marcus also founded and led Wayra México, Telefónica’s startup accelerator focused on internet and communications businesses. Across his career, he has been the founder and CEO of several companies, including Latin American Telecom, Mexico.com, Simitel, Peerant, Innovamédica, and Abdeo Medical. His hands-on entrepreneurial experience allows him to speak with clarity and depth about the realities of building and scaling companies in dynamic markets.

Innovation, investment, and leadership

Beyond entrepreneurship, Marcus has played a central role in supporting the investment landscape across Latin America. He is a partner at Impacta VC, led the Angel Labs program in the region, and represented Mexico in the Global Entrepreneurship Network. His visibility expanded further as a Shark on Shark Tank México, where he appeared for seven seasons, offering founders sharp, high-impact feedback grounded in decades of operational experience.

Today, one of his strongest priorities is the digitalization and professionalization of Mexican SMEs through Mexico Limited. His mission is to help businesses embrace innovation, optimize operations, and remain competitive in a rapidly evolving digital economy.

Academic and institutional contribution

Marcus has also left a significant mark on education and thought leadership. He served as a guest professor of entrepreneurship and innovation at IPADE and coordinated the Master’s in Internet Business at ISDI since its creation. In addition, he was a professor of innovation at the Disruptive Business Academy (DBA) and founded the Entrepreneurship Center at Universidad Centro de Diseño y Televisión. His expertise has led to invitations to speak at leading universities in multiple countries, helping shape the mindsets of emerging innovators.

His institutional influence includes roles on the Mexico-U.S. Entrepreneurship and Innovation Council (MUSEIC), the Mexico-France Council for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (COMFEI), the Intersectoral Innovation Council, and the Financing Commission of CONCAMIN. Marcus has also served on the boards of social organizations such as Agora International, Ashoka, the Global Entrepreneurship Council, and chaired Gifted Citizen at Ciudad de las Ideas.

Recognition and impact

Marcus has received numerous awards for entrepreneurship and innovation throughout his career. Highlights include the Endeavor Dedication Award in 2003, the Intel Technology Award in 2004 with Simitel and again in 2008 with Innovamédica. He was recognized as one of LinkedIn’s Top Voices Mexico in 2020 and received the Toyota “Start Your Impossible” medal in 2021. That same year, he was honored by Salón de la Fama México with the National Award for Business Excellence and Lifetime Achievement. In 2024, he was named one of the most influential people in Latin America by The One 100.

Today, Marcus continues to dedicate his work to strengthening entrepreneurship, competitiveness, and innovation across the region. He is currently ranked third among the top ten opinion leaders for board members in Mexico and sixth among C-level executives further reflecting his ongoing relevance and authority in the industry.