comprende 036: Nopal Goes Global, Bad Bunny Empowers Youth, & the $3.6T U.S. Latino Economy

BIENVENIDO

¡Saludos! Happy Friday and welcome to the 36th edition of Comprende.

The 3 Core Stories:

• This week, we highlight a story by Lyanne Alfaro on how Latino entrepreneurs are bringing the traditional Mexican nopal cactus to the global stage, with brands like Tia Lupita, Nemi Snacks, and Nopalera leading the way in food and beauty industries.

• Next, we dive into Bad Bunny’s latest venture—a children’s book in partnership with Hispanic Star, aiming to inspire the next generation of Latino youth with his journey from Puerto Rico to global stardom.

• Finally, we feature the latest report from the Latino Donor Collaborative, released at L’Attitude, showcasing the $3.6 trillion U.S. Latino economy and its continued impact on the nation’s economic growth.

So, grab your cafecito or cervecita (depending where you are), settle in, and if you enjoy, please forward the newsletter to friends or share it on social media! ☕️ 🍺

The Nopal Effect: How Latino Founders are Bringing Tradition to Modern Markets

My friend and brilliant reporter Lyanne Alfaro has written a fascinating piece on the growing impact of nopal—here’s my quick breakdown.

Nopal has been a staple in Mexican cuisine and traditional remedies for centuries, and now entrepreneurs like Hector Saldivar of Tia Lupita, Regina Trillo of Nemi Snacks, and Sandra Velasquez of Nopalera are bringing this beloved ingredient to U.S. and new markets in exciting new ways.

Tia Lupita incorporates nopal in its tortillas and chips, emphasizing its sustainability and health benefits. Nemi Snacks, known for its crunchy, nutrient-rich snacks, also features nopal, attracting a broad consumer base that includes many non-Latino customers. Meanwhile, Nopalera uses prickly pear oil from the cactus in its skincare line, highlighting the cultural significance of nopal while building a successful beauty brand.

Nopal's appeal stems from its health benefits, including its high antioxidant and vitamin content, as well as its environmental advantages. The cactus requires little water, helps prevent soil erosion, and absorbs CO2, making it a sustainable choice for businesses looking to minimize their environmental impact.

As these brands grow, they continue to educate consumers on the benefits of this resilient and culturally significant plant.

Read the full article by Lyanne Alfaro on Inc. here: Meet the Cactus Powering a New Generation of Latino-Owned Businesses

Bad Bunny and Hispanic Star Unite to Inspire the Next Generation

Bad Bunny has teamed up with Hispanic Star and Claudia Romo Edelman to inspire the next generation of Latino children with his very own children’s book. Part of the Hispanic Star Children’s Book series, this new release tells the story of Bad Bunny’s rise from a small-town boy in Puerto Rico to a global music icon. The series, known for featuring notable Latino figures like Roberto Clemente and Sonia Sotomayor, offers bilingual books that highlight the achievements of influential Latinos.

Bad Bunny's book goes beyond his musical success, focusing on his upbringing, family values, and strong connection to his community. It showcases how his Latinidad and pride in his roots have shaped his career, including his commitment to singing in Spanish, supporting the LGBTQ+ community, and engaging in social justice causes. Through his Good Bunny Foundation, he continues to give back, helping youth in Puerto Rico and beyond.

This book not only celebrates Bad Bunny’s extraordinary journey but also serves as a reminder to Latino children that they too can achieve their dreams through hard work, education, and pride in their heritage. Available in both English and Spanish, the book is part of a growing effort to make Latino role models more visible.

Latinos Driving Growth: Our Economy Surpasses $3.6 Trillion

I had the honor of attending L’ATTITUDE and supporting the Latino Donor Collaborative (LDC), a valued comprende partner, throughout the event and the release of the various LDC 2024 reports.

One of the most exciting highlights was the release of the 2024 Official LDC U.S. Latino GDP Report, 7th Annual Edition, showing that our U.S. Latino economy grew from $3.2 trillion in 2021 to $3.6 trillion in 2022, up 13% from the previous year. Given this figure, if U.S. Latinos were an independent country, our GDP would rank fifth in the world.

Our economic growth is outpacing that of non-Latinos in many states, largely thanks to our younger and growing population. By 2024, our economic output is expected to surpass Japan’s, and by 2027, Germany’s. We continue to lead key industries such as manufacturing, construction, and public administration, particularly in states like California and Texas.

Latino wealth is also booming, with Hispanic household wealth tripling over the last decade, reaching a median net worth of $63,400 by 2022.

The 2024 Official LDC U.S. Latino GDP Report, 7th Annual Edition, underscores that Latinos are critical to the future of the U.S. economy. As our contributions grow, we are driving prosperity, creating opportunities, and demonstrating the power and potential of our community across the nation.

Daybreak Health’s $13 Million Series B Round, Potential Small Business Tax Credit Proposal by VP Harris, and the latest in funding opportunities

Breaking Down a Fundraising Deal: How youth-focused mental health start-up, Daybreak, raised their $13 Million Series B round led by Union Square Ventures.

Daybreak’s co-founder and CEO, Alex Alvarado, saw his brother struggle to find necessary mental health support as a student, and started Daybreak as a way to improve the state of youth mental healthcare. 

After their recent Series B round, Alvarado reflected on Daybreak’s journey from Series A to Series B, highlighting the nearly 10x growth in the company's impact as one of his top three proudest achievements.

Union Square Ventures (USV), the lead investor in this round, discussed how their investment in Daybreak fits into their growing portfolio of companies targeting mental health, and explained why Daybreak stood out as an ideal investment:

1. Market Readiness: USV notes the increasing need for companies like Daybreak to address growing concerns around youth mental health. They cited that “16% of kids in the US had at least 1 major depressive episode in the last year, and 60% of those children did not receive treatment.”

2. Distribution Channel:  USV’s market research revealed that schools and districts play a unique and important role in addressing adolescent mental health. As a result, they saw Daybreak’s direct work with schools and insurance providers as a company that aligned with the way they believed success in this space can best be achieved. 

Vice President Kamala Harris’ Upcoming Tax Credit Proposal for New Small Businesses

This week, Vice President Harris and Tim Waltz went on a two-day bus tour in Georgia. During their trip, they made a few stops at local businesses in Savannah, Georgia including Sandfly Bar-B-Q and Dottie’s Market. It was during her visit at Dottie’s Market where Harris told the store owner about her plans to announce a tax credit for small businesses. According to an NPR article, Harris shared, “What I’m going to be rolling out next week is basically a tax credit for startups, small business startups”.

Upcoming Events & Opportunities:

• Pepsico Juntos Crecemos Grants Programs| Apply by September 27

  • For women small business owners in the food and beverage industry, $10k grants.

  • Apply Here

• Galaxy of Stars Galaxy Grants | Apply by September 30

  • For women and minority-owned small businesses, $4,250 grants.

  • Apply Here

La Esquinita is written by Comprende Collaborator, Adriana Román. Learn more about Adriana or connect with her on LinkedIn here

FOUNDERS:

If you’re a founder who wants to get further connected and learn more about Comprende, be featured in our newsletter or marketplace, or inquire about our creative and strategy agency services, please fill out this form:

How to Make: Paraguayan Kivevé

Kivevé is a traditional Paraguayan dish made with pumpkin, cornmeal, and cheese, offering a deliciously creamy and slightly sweet flavor that's perfect as a side or main dish.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound (450g) of pumpkin or squash, peeled and diced

• 1 cup cornmeal (finely ground)

• 1 cup milk

• 1 tablespoon sugar (optional, to taste)

• 1 tablespoon butter

• 1/2 cup grated Paraguayan cheese (or mozzarella, queso fresco)

• Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook the Pumpkin: Place the diced pumpkin in a pot of water and bring to a boil. Cook until the pumpkin is soft, about 10-15 minutes. Drain the water and mash the pumpkin until smooth.

2. Prepare the Cornmeal: In a separate bowl, mix the cornmeal with the milk to avoid lumps.

3. Combine Ingredients: In a large saucepan, add the mashed pumpkin and butter. Stir in the milk and cornmeal mixture, then cook over medium heat, stirring constantly to prevent sticking.

4. Add Cheese: Once the mixture begins to thicken, stir in the grated cheese and sugar (if using). Continue to cook until the cheese melts and the dish becomes creamy.

5. Season and Serve: Add salt to taste and cook for another 5-7 minutes until the mixture has a thick, porridge-like consistency. Serve warm as a side dish or main course.

Enjoy your traditional Paraguayan Kivevé!

Last week, we asked: What is the national animal of Guatemala?

The right answer was: Quetzal

The national animal of Guatemala is the quetzal, a vibrant bird known for its striking green and red plumage. Revered in ancient Mayan culture, the quetzal symbolizes freedom and is associated with the god Quetzalcoatl. It is also a key part of Guatemalan identity, featuring prominently on the country’s flag and coat of arms. Quetzals inhabit the cloud forests of Central America, where they feed primarily on fruit. Despite being a symbol of beauty and freedom, the quetzal is considered near-threatened due to habitat loss and deforestation.

Question:  Which famous Colombian writer won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1982?

Reply with your guess! Answers will be revealed in the next newsletter!

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