An Evening of Collaboration and Community
On August 12, Miller Center for Global Impact hosted a high-impact event at Aqua in Antigua, Guatemala, bringing together a dynamic group of stakeholders committed to advancing social entrepreneurship in Latin America.
The evening brought together local entrepreneurs, impact investors, community leaders, and ecosystem partners for an inspiring session of knowledge exchange, relationship building, and collaboration. Against the backdrop of Antigua’s historic beauty, conversations flowed around shared challenges, innovative solutions, and new opportunities to strengthen the region’s social enterprise ecosystem.
This gathering reinforced Miller Center’s role as a catalyst in Latin America. By convening diverse voices and perspectives, we aimed to:
- Identify potential program participants for Miller Center’s accelerator programs
- Spark mentorship opportunities that support early-stage entrepreneurs
- Explore funding pathways that ensure the long-term sustainability and growth of the sector
Through these connections, we are not only advancing the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Guatemala but also laying the groundwork for deeper regional collaboration.
This initiative is part of Miller Center’s broader strategy to expand our presence and partnerships across Latin America. By fostering strong, trust-based relationships, we help social entrepreneurs scale solutions that serve the poor and protect the planet. The August 12 event exemplifies our mission in action — accelerating impact by linking entrepreneurs with the resources, knowledge, and networks they need to thrive.
We are grateful to all who joined us at Aqua and look forward to building on the momentum created in Antigua. Together, we can drive meaningful change and continue to grow a vibrant social enterprise ecosystem across the region.
A Journey of Impact in Antigua
During our time in Antigua, we had the opportunity to visit three inspiring social enterprises making a difference in Guatemala.
Cinco Azul – Visiting Michelle Berkowitz Sultan, founder and CEO of Cinco Azul and a proud Miller Center program graduate, was a special experience. Cinco Azul is more than just an online supermarket, it’s a movement for ethical and sustainable living in Guatemala. By connecting small rural producers with fair, local markets, the platform offers everything from fresh produce and meats to natural cosmetics and zero-waste household goods. Guided by a “health first” philosophy, Cinco Azul is committed to the well-being of consumers, producers, and the planet alike. With delivery service reaching Guatemala City, Antigua, Xela, and Lake Atitlán, the organization is redefining what it means to shop responsibly by championing transparency, fair pricing, and ecological responsibility every step of the way. It was inspiring to see how Michelle has created a space that reflects not only her entrepreneurial vision but also a deep respect for people and the planet. It’s a reminder that change often starts with the everyday choices we make and the people who dare to reimagine them.
De La Gente Coffee – An artisan coffee cooperative, De La Gente Coffee’s name means “From the People.” From walking through the coffee fields to observing the roasting and brewing process, we experienced the full farm-to-cup journey. De La Gente empowers smallholder farmers, especially women, to build sustainable businesses and connect directly with global markets. We had the joy of sharing lunch with Ingrid Hernández, a third-generation coffee grower whose love for agriculture was sparked at an early age by her mother, Francisca. Surrounded by coffee plants throughout her childhood, Ingrid learned the rhythms of farming along with the patience of nurturing seedlings, the care of tending crops, and the pride of each harvest. When she first joined the Coffee Growers of San Miguel Escobar Cooperative, Ingrid didn’t yet have land of her own. Instead, she purchased coffee from her parents, which she processed and exported through De La Gente. It was a creative solution that allowed her to take her first steps as an independent farmer. Today, Ingrid cultivates her own coffee with pride, reinvesting the extra income from tours and coffee sales into fertilizers and farm essentials that keep her plants healthy. Her journey is one of perseverance and vision and a reminder of how community-driven cooperatives empower farmers not only to grow coffee, but to grow opportunity for themselves and their families.
Ecofiltro – We were also inspired by our tour of Ecofiltro with founder and CEO Philip Wilson. A pioneering Guatemalan social enterprise, Ecofiltro is dedicated to making safe drinking water accessible to all. By designing and manufacturing affordable, eco-friendly water filters, the organization has transformed the way rural and low-income communities access clean water while improving health, reducing plastic waste, and creating lasting impact across Guatemala. Walking through the Ecofiltro facility and hearing Phillip speak about the mission firsthand was incredibly moving. It’s one thing to understand the concept of clean water access in theory, but seeing the innovation, care, and scale of impact up close made it deeply real. It reminded us that social entrepreneurship, when done well, doesn’t just solve problems, it restores dignity and hope.
These experiences highlighted the diversity and innovation within Guatemala’s social enterprise ecosystem, as well as the critical role that local entrepreneurs play in driving sustainable impact for their communities and the planet.
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Photo Credits:
1. Fantastic turnout for our event at Aqua in Antigua, Guatemala
2. Visiting founder and CEO Michelle Berkowitz (left) — with Kelly (middle) and Lydia (right)
3. Learning about growing coffee from coffee farmer Ingrid Hernandez
4. Touring the Ecofiltro facility with founder and CEO Philip Wilson