BIENVENIDO

¡Estamos de vuelta! Welcome to Comprende’s first edition of 2025! After a refreshing holiday break, we’re excited to start the year with more stories that celebrate the Latino community. Thank you for being part of our journey—your continued support inspires us to continue uplifting Latino voices and sharing impactful insights.

We’re also thrilled to announce the launch of our brand-new website! The site is now your go-to hub for everything Comprende—from our newsletter archives to updates on our agency work, where we collaborate with brands to help them connect authentically with the Latino community & support Latino Founders. Explore it today: www.comp-rende.com

The 3 Core Stories:

• This week, first we spotlight Elias Torres, a tech visionary whose new AI company, Agency, could very well be his next billion-dollar success.

• Next, we explore the cultural, political, and economic impact of Bad Bunny’s latest album, Debí Tirar Más Fotos, a powerful tribute to Puerto Rican pride.

• Finally, we highlight how the Latino community in Los Angeles is stepping up to support victims of devastating wildfires, exemplifying the strength of nuestra gente in times of need.

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

Is Agency Elias Torres’ Next Billion-Dollar Company? I Think So.

Elias Torres, the Nicaraguan-born tech entrepreneur, has done it again. Just three months ago, his next company Agency came out of stealth mode. An AI-powered platform for customer success teams, Agency is backed by a $12M seed investment led by Sequoia Capital and HubSpot Ventures–and I firmly believe it will lead to another Billion-dollar exit.

Torres’ story is nothing short of inspirational. After immigrating to the U.S. at 17 without speaking English, he built a career that would eventually make him one of the less than 1% of Latino founders to lead a billion-dollar company.

A Harvard graduate and Henry Crown Fellow at the Aspen Institute, Torres started his career at IBM and transitioned to the startup world with Lookery, Performable, and Hubspot. Later on, Torres co-founded Drift with David Cancel (previously covered in edition 019). Together, they pioneered the Conversational Marketing category and reached a $1.2 billion valuation and acquisition by Vista Equity Partners.

Passionate about giving back, he’s also a champion for Latino and immigrant entrepreneurs through mentoring and initiatives like his podcast, The American Dream with Elias Torres.

Now, Torres is bringing his visionary leadership to Agency, a platform designed to automate tedious customer success workflows like scheduling, follow-ups, and onboarding. Unlike traditional enterprise software that adds complexity, Agency’s AI works autonomously, giving companies more time to connect with customers and grow smarter. It’s not just software you use; it’s software that works for you, enabling businesses to scale without hiring massive teams.

Here’s why I think Agency is going to be another billion-dollar company & Torres is the person to achieve it: 

First, I’ve lived the problem it’s solving. As the second hire at MyBundle and later the Manager of Growth and Strategy, I was tasked with helping build and scale our partnerships and customer success division from 0 to over 160 B2B clients.

While rewarding, managing customer success was one of the most time-consuming parts of my job. The endless follow-ups, meeting prep, manual data entry, and juggling competing client needs were a constant drain on my time. Agency’s AI would have made scaling that division not only easier but far more efficient—freeing me up to focus on higher-value initiatives.

Second, Torres has proven he knows how to create value in enterprise software. With Drift, he anticipated the demand for Conversational Marketing and turned it into a billion-dollar success. Agency is following a similar trajectory by tackling an area that’s essential to businesses but traditionally overlooked by tech innovation: post-sales customer success. This untapped space is ripe for disruption, and Torres is positioned to lead the way.

Finally, the backing of top-tier investors like Sequoia Capital and HubSpot Ventures speaks volumes. These are the same firms that believed in companies like Google, LinkedIn, and HubSpot itself (Plus his prior company Drift). Add in the involvement of his mentor/friend Brian Halligan, co-founder of HubSpot, and it’s clear that Agency has the leadership, resources, and network to go the distance.

Torres is a next-level tech leader, and Agency is more than just a startup—it’s the future of AI-driven enterprise software. Billion-dollar company? I’d bet on it. And as someone who has seen the pain points firsthand, I can’t wait to see how Agency changes the game.

The Cultural, Political, & Economic Impact of Bad Bunny’s New Album: Debí Tirar Más Fotos

Bad Bunny’s latest album, Debí Tirar Más Fotos (DtMF), is my personal favorite of his—and as someone from Puerto Rico, it feels like a source of pride for all Boricuas. This album beams with Puerto Rican identity, culture, and resilience, blending tradition with innovation in a way that’s both celebratory and deeply meaningful. Released on January 5, 2025, DtMF and Bad Bunny’s accompanying residency in Puerto Rico solidifies his role as not just a global superstar but also an unwavering advocate for our homeland.

Culturally, DtMF is groundbreaking. The title track, “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” made history as the first plena song to top global charts, showcasing the beauty of Puerto Rican folk music to a worldwide audience. Likewise, “Baile Inolvidable,” a salsa anthem, has become one of the most streamed songs globally—proof that Bad Bunny is bringing traditional Puerto Rican sounds to new heights. The album masterfully blends reggaeton with plena, décima, and salsa, while spotlighting rising Puerto Rican artists. It’s a celebration of everything Puerto Rican, and as a fan and fellow Boricua, this album feels deeply personal.

Politically, Bad Bunny uses DtMF to amplify Puerto Rico’s struggles and resilience. In tracks like “Lo Que Le Pasó a Hawaii,” he calls out colonial politics and warns against forgetting Puerto Rico’s cultural roots. He indirectly challenges the Insular Cases, the outdated Supreme Court decisions that treat Puerto Rico as a territory rather than granting it full statehood or independence, perpetuating second-class status for Puerto Ricans. His residency, titled “No Me Quiero Ir de Aquí” (I Don’t Want to Leave Here), is a powerful rejection of displacement and gentrification—a statement that staying in Puerto Rico is not just a choice but an act of defiance. Through his music and platform, he’s creating space for conversations about Puerto Rico’s sovereignty and the fight to preserve its identity.

Economically, the album and residency are having an unprecedented impact on Puerto Rico. Initially projected to generate $100M, the residency is now expected to drive $200M in economic activity due to sold-out shows and a tourism boom. As someone who knows firsthand how much Puerto Rico’s small businesses and local economy depend on opportunities like this, it’s incredible to see Bad Bunny driving such tangible results. From hotels to restaurants, his influence is creating real change and putting money directly into the island’s economy.

For me, Debí Tirar Más Fotos is more than an album—it’s a movement. By blending cultural pride, political activism, and economic impact, Bad Bunny is lifting Puerto Rico onto the global stage while reminding the world of our beauty, resilience, and strength. He’s not just a musician; he’s a force for Puerto Rican pride and progress.

How the Latino Community in Los Angeles is Mobilizing to Support Fire Victims

When disaster strikes and our community is impacted, Latinos show up. As wildfires devastate parts of Los Angeles, forcing over 100,000 people to evacuate, the Latino community has stepped into action to support victims with an extraordinary display of solidarity and compassion.

Latino-owned businesses like Nativo HLP, Guerilla Tacos, and Guelaguetza have become central hubs for relief efforts, collecting donations and distributing over 1,500 meals to evacuees and first responders.

Nonprofits like Las Fotos Project are using creative solutions, such as bulletin boards, to connect victims with resources and supplies. Meanwhile, organizations like Latinx Therapy are coordinating free mental health support for families impacted by the fires, while taquerias across the city are providing meals to firefighters on the front lines.

This effort isn’t limited to LA. Firefighters from Mexico have joined local crews, embodying the transnational spirit of unity that defines the Latino community. Whether it’s offering food, emotional support, or resources, Latinos are stepping up to ensure that no one faces this tragedy alone. The community’s response is a testament to our resilience, generosity, and unwavering commitment to helping others during times of need.

How to Make: Nicaraguan Nacatameles

Nacatamales are a cherished Nicaraguan dish, often enjoyed during special occasions or Sunday family gatherings. Wrapped in banana leaves and filled with a flavorful mix of masa, pork or chicken, and hearty ingredients, they are a symbol of tradition and togetherness.

Ingredients (Makes about 10 nacatamales)

For the Masa (Dough):

• 4 cups masa harina (corn flour)

• 4 cups chicken broth (or water)

• 1 cup lard (or vegetable shortening)

• 2 tablespoons achiote paste (or annatto powder) for color

• Salt to taste

For the Filling:

• 2 lbs pork shoulder or chicken (cut into 2-inch pieces)

• 1 teaspoon ground cumin

• 1 teaspoon paprika

• 1 teaspoon black pepper

• 2 teaspoons salt

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1/2 cup orange juice

• 1/2 cup white vinegar

• 4 medium potatoes, peeled and sliced

• 2 medium onions, thinly sliced

• 2 medium tomatoes, thinly sliced

• 1 cup white rice (uncooked, soaked in water for 30 minutes)

• 10 prunes (optional, for a sweet touch)

• 10 green olives

• Banana leaves (cleaned and softened)

For Wrapping:

• Banana leaves, cut into 10 squares (about 12 inches each)

• Kitchen twine

Instructions

1. Prepare the Meat:

• Season the pork (or chicken) with cumin, paprika, black pepper, salt, minced garlic, orange juice, and vinegar. Let it marinate for at least 2 hours (preferably overnight).

2. Prepare the Masa:

• In a large pot, heat the lard over medium heat until melted.

• Add the masa harina, chicken broth, achiote paste, and salt. Stir constantly over low heat until the masa thickens into a smooth, spreadable consistency (about 15 minutes). Remove from heat and let it cool.

3. Assemble the Nacatamales:

• Place one banana leaf square on your work surface (shiny side up).

• Spread about 1/2 cup of masa into the center of the leaf, forming a rectangular layer.

• Add a piece of marinated pork (or chicken) on top of the masa.

• Add a slice of potato, onion, tomato, a small handful of soaked rice, one prune (if using), and one olive.

4. Wrap the Nacatamales:

• Fold the banana leaf over the filling, folding the edges tightly to form a rectangular packet. Secure with kitchen twine.

5. Cook the Nacatamales:

• Place the nacatamales in a large pot, arranging them in layers. Add enough water to cover about half the height of the nacatamales.

• Cover the pot and steam over low heat for 4-5 hours, checking periodically to ensure there is enough water to avoid burning.

6. Serve:

• Once cooked, unwrap the banana leaves and serve the nacatamales warm

Making nacatamales is a labor of love, but the end result—a delicious, aromatic bundle of Nicaraguan flavor—is well worth the effort.

In our last edition, we asked: What Latina was the youngest chef to be named World's Best Female Chef by the World's 50 Best Restaurant List?

The right answer was: Daniela Soto-Innes

At just 28 years old, Daniela Soto-Innes became the youngest chef ever to be named World’s Best Female Chef by the prestigious World’s 50 Best Restaurants list in 2019. Born in Mexico City, she gained recognition for her innovative approach to traditional Mexican cuisine. Soto-Innes is celebrated for her work at Cosme and Atla, two acclaimed New York City restaurants she co-founded with Chef Enrique Olvera. Known for her leadership style, she emphasizes inclusivity, diversity, and joy in the kitchen. Her achievement represents a groundbreaking moment for Latinas in the global culinary world.

Question:  What Bolivian carnival was declared a UNESCO Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2001?

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

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