Chief Executive Officer - EdTech Startup
If you are driven by the conviction that every child deserves to learn and that technology, in the right hands, can make that possible at scale, this role may be for you
Selection process developed by matteria
Location and Work Mode
Bogotá D.C., Colombia — Hybrid, with frequent domestic and international travel.
Who we are
We are a team of builders, learners, and operators united by a shared conviction: that foundational literacy and numeracy, delivered at scale through evidence-based innovation, can transform life outcomes for millions of children — particularly in communities where the education system has historically fallen short.
We believe teachers are at the heart of learning. Our technology exists to support and empower the educators who make learning possible, not to replace them. We design every product in partnership with the classroom, ensuring technology amplifies human potential rather than substituting it.
This conviction has been validated. After a rigorous founder-led first chapter, we have built something rare: an EdTech platform with independent evidence of real learning outcomes, a sustainable and growing revenue model, and active operations across multiple Latin American markets. Our work has been recognized by leading global institutions in the education sector, and our partnerships span government ministries, world-class research institutions, and influential private actors with deep public-sector reach.
The incoming CEO does not inherit a blank slate. They inherit a proven model: a first stage of success built with discipline, conviction, and rigorous evidence. The task now is to take that baton and lead the next chapter — one of scale, expansion, and continuous reinvention in a landscape being reshaped by AI.
Our impact
Our work is grounded in evidence, not aspiration.
Independent randomized controlled trial confirming statistically significant improvements in foundational literacy and numeracy outcomes
Financial break-even achieved, with a growing revenue base and an active expansion pipeline
Active operations across multiple Latin American markets; expansion into India underway
Recognized by leading global institutions in the education and international development sectors
Partnerships with world-class research institutions, government ministries, and influential private actors with deep public-sector reach
Team of ~25 professionals across learning, technology, commercial, design, and operations
Purpose of the Position
We are searching for our first institutional CEO — a leader capable of taking full executive ownership of a business with real traction and converting it into a scalable, high-performance operation.
This is not a maintenance role. The incoming CEO will partner closely with the founding team and the Board to set strategic direction, build operational infrastructure, lead commercial expansion, and develop the talent and culture needed to scale. The right profile combines the discipline of a professional operator with the ownership mindset of an entrepreneur.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Growth
Define and execute our next-phase growth strategy, translating long-term vision into clear priorities and organizational alignment
Identify and capture expansion opportunities across existing and new markets, including India and additional Latin American countries
Operate as the company's chief growth driver, with full accountability for revenue achievement and trajectory
Commercial Leadership
Own the commercial engine: build, lead, and scale sales and partnerships capability
Close high-value B2G and institutional deals, managing long and complex government procurement cycles with maturity and patience
Deliver annual revenue growth objectives and build the pipeline toward the next milestone
Product & AI Leadership
Lead product strategy and portfolio decisions in an educational landscape undergoing continuous AI disruption — what works today may be obsolete tomorrow
Maintain sharp product-market fit through constant iteration, working closely with the co-founding Chief Learning Officer who anchors pedagogical rigor
Balance innovation with learning outcomes, commercial viability, and partner needs; know when to diversify the portfolio and when to focus
Stakeholder Management
Build trusted relationships with the Board, global and local investors, government clients, and strategic partners across markets
Represent the organization externally with credibility and gravitas; strengthen global market positioning and institutional brand
Navigate governmental, institutional, and private stakeholder environments with integrity and executive presence
Team Leadership & Organizational Development
Lead a multidisciplinary team of ~25, including six direct-report functional leaders and a co-founder (CLO) who remains a key equity stakeholder and cultural anchor
Foster accountability, high performance, and a culture that combines startup velocity with mission discipline
Identify and resolve organizational capability gaps; build the leadership layer required for the next phase of scale
Financial Stewardship
Manage runway, cash flow, and resource allocation with discipline in a predominantly bootstrapped operating environment
Make high-quality investment decisions under uncertainty, balancing growth ambitions with financial resilience
Own the P&L — not as a reporting function, but as an operating imperative
Requirements and competences to work with us
Education
University degree in Business, Engineering, Public Policy, Education, or related field
MBA or equivalent advanced degree desirable but not required if track record speaks for itself
Professional-level English required (spoken and written)
Experience
10+ years of professional experience, with at least 3–5 years in senior leadership or direct P&L ownership
Experience in EdTech, education, workforce development, or government-aligned social enterprise strongly preferred
Track record in B2G or B2B2G commercial environments — proven ability to navigate and close government contracts
Demonstrated experience scaling organizations from early to growth stage
Experience working in or with Latin America; Colombia experience a plus
Demonstrated ability to build teams in resource-constrained, high-ambiguity environments
Experience managing board relationships and investor communication
Knowledge and Skills
Commercial development and B2G negotiation
P&L management and financial discipline
Strategic planning and execution
Talent development and organizational culture
Operational process design
Government relations and institutional partnerships
Impact measurement and reporting
Technology-enabled business models
Competencies
Commercial leadership: builds and closes relationships with governments, institutions, and corporations without requiring full commercial infrastructure
Operational excellence: installs processes, metrics, and accountability where they don't yet exist; balances speed and structure without bureaucratizing
Talent development: attracts, retains, and develops teams during the building phase; creates cultures of accountability and high performance
Impact conviction: genuinely motivated by transforming foundational learning outcomes — not just by the business model; conviction that shapes decisions, not just narrative
Relational intelligence: navigates the founder–investor–CEO dynamic with maturity and autonomy; builds trust without relying on formal hierarchy
Executive resilience: operates effectively under ambiguity, limited resources, and multiple simultaneous fronts
Applied strategic thinking: translates long-term vision into concrete short-term decisions; prioritizes without losing sight of the whole
Our team profile
We are an organization that combines entrepreneurial energy, social mission conviction, and a growing need for operational discipline and professional structure. We value people who build genuine relationships, lead with integrity and good intent, adapt to changing contexts without losing their footing, maintain emotional resilience under pressure, and deliver results even in ambiguous scenarios. The context demands people capable of operating with imperfect information and communication, organizational transformation in motion, diverse leadership styles, and high human sensitivity — this is a team that cares deeply about people.
Key interests for working with us
Closing one of the most consequential gaps in global development: foundational learning at scale
Transforming foundational literacy and numeracy outcomes for underserved K-12 communities
Proving that rigorous evidence and commercial sustainability are not only compatible — they reinforce each other
Building trusted partnerships with the governments and institutions that shape education systems
Creating an organization as strong in its culture and values as it is in its measured impact
Reasons to join our team
Lead a proven venture at its inflection point — and define its next chapter.
The opportunity to lead an organization with real traction, validated product, and regional ambition
Direct influence on strategic decisions that define the company's next chapter
A board and founding team committed to a successful leadership transition
Full executive ownership: not a corporate role, but a builder's seat
The chance to leave a lasting mark on foundational learning outcomes for communities across Latin America and beyond
A fast-moving, mission-driven environment with a high learning curve
Relevant details before applying for this vacancy
This is a high-ownership, high-accountability role — with the freedom and responsibility that entails.
The organization is in a deliberate stage transition that requires tolerance for ambiguity and resilience
The incoming CEO will work closely with the founder during a structured transition period
The role demands genuine engagement with both the strategic and operational dimensions of the business
Success will depend as much on relational intelligence and emotional maturity as on functional expertise
Colombia-based candidates preferred; exceptional international candidates with strong regional experience and demonstrated willingness to relocate may be considered
- Category
- General Management
- Locations
- Colombia
- Remote status
- Hybrid