An opportunity with an impact – Interview with Laura Forero

I am an industrial engineer and economist, and in my professional capacity I support deep-tech founders in raising capital to scale their innovations. Alongside my work, I support Sigma Squared, a community of ambitious, impact-driven entrepreneurs. Here, I build partnerships with companies and develop a network of impact-driven investors.

What is your motivation or goal? What drives you?

My motivation is to create meaningful social and environmental impact. That’s why I do what I do: I’m truly passionate about supporting the founders behind start-ups and NGOs with groundbreaking ideas and new technologies to make an impact worldwide. I am particularly concerned about those in developing countries, where the ecosystem is not yet sufficiently geared towards helping them scale up and achieve a greater impact.

What did you study at the HSG, and what does your time at the University of St. Gallen mean to you?

I completed my Master’s degree in Economics at the University of St. Gallen (HSG), graduating in 2024 with a specialisation in Managing Climate Solutions and a focus on Public Policy.

However, my connection to St. Gallen began earlier. I’m originally from Colombia and first came to the HSG in 2017 for an exchange semester, where I got to experience the entrepreneurial ecosystem first-hand. The quality of the programme and the interactive, practical opportunities motivated me to return for a full-time degree.

I was not disappointed. I had the opportunity to pursue my entrepreneurial ambitions whilst studying, and the university created the perfect ecosystem for this. I was part of the incubation programme, where I learnt an incredible amount, and took part in several delegations that travelled to countries such as Israel and Mexico. I was the only female founder selected to represent Switzerland.

Together with fellow students, I built up my start-ups whilst studying. One of them, Purify City, developed cost-effective sensors for governments and businesses in Latin America to monitor air pollution in real time. We carried out an extensive pilot project in Colombia and won the Swiss national Global Student Entrepreneur Award (GSEA) in 2022.

Finally, under the supervision of some brilliant professors, I wrote my Master’s thesis on measuring the potentially negative effects of air pollution on the birth weight of newborns. This is a topic of genuine social relevance, and I am very proud of it.

How did receiving a social scholarship influence your studies and your personal journey?

The HSG social scholarship covered part of my tuition fees, which was a truly valuable form of support. But the help I received from the Student Finance Office went far beyond financial advice and was life-changing for me at the time. In addition, I applied for and was granted a loan from the HSG on fair terms.

In practice, this financial relief made a real difference. It eased the financial pressure I was under and gave me vital extra time. Instead of having to take on extra part-time work just to cover the costs of my studies, I was able to devote all my energy to the demanding MaCS curriculum, my Master’s thesis and the development of my start-ups. It gave me the stability and focus I needed to successfully balance my studies with my start-ups. The financial support enabled me to further develop my entrepreneurial skills, build my own network and find the job I’d been hoping for.

Why do you think it is important for others to support the HSG Social Scholarship Programme today?

I believe that the HSG Social Scholarship gives people from different backgrounds the opportunity to be part of this impactful ecosystem and brings much-needed diversity to the mix. For me, it was hugely significant to be the only Latin American student in my year and, at the same time, the only female entrepreneur. That made me different, but I learnt to appreciate it because it allowed me to bring new perspectives to the table. At the same time, I received support from many colleagues in setting up my start-up, and that is precisely what helped me to realise my dreams.

Diversity in the workplace is important. It shows people that things they thought were impossible are actually achievable. The limits often lie only in our minds, and each and every one of us can make a difference. Because I have received so much myself, I now want to give something back, and I believe that opportunities like these can create a positive cycle for future generations.

Firstly, I would like to thank all the donors who make this scholarship possible. Their generosity is directly transformed into opportunities for students who might otherwise never have had the chance to study in an environment such as the HSG. Without this support, and without the financial stability it has given me, I would not be where I am today.

Secondly, I would like to tell students who are thinking of joining the HSG that studying here was one of the best decisions I have ever made, and that there are various ways to fund your studies. Being open about your own situation is one of the best steps you can take, and asking for support is never a sign of weakness. I am very grateful to the Advice Centre for Study Funding and, in particular, to Silvia and Jessica, whose advice and support made all the difference to me.

And thirdly, I would like to thank the University of St. Gallen for creating such a diverse entrepreneurial ecosystem, for encouraging us to dream big, and for giving us access to resources and a broad network of entrepreneurs. My hope is that more people from developing countries will come to St. Gallen, develop their skills further and be able to take what they have learnt back to Switzerland, to their home countries and beyond.