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Some founders build products. Others build momentum. José Mendoza does both.
From leading Bairu, a startup helping independent restaurant owners automate in-store sales across Latin America, to now building Valerian, a software development company delivering AI-powered solutions for enterprise teams, José’s path captures what it means to build with obsession, resilience, and focus.
This is his story and how Lazo supported him through key operational moments along the way.
José first met Lazo at a Venture Capital Lab event in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, a moment that would simplify multiple operational challenges ahead.
“Team Lazo explained everything in a way I could understand. I’m not a lawyer and I’m not an accountant. I have a tech background. And still, everything was very straightforward.”
For Bairu, Lazo supported core U.S. operations:
• U.S. taxes
• U.S. business address
• Company dissolution
• Operational clarity through Lazo One
“The platform you guys built, Lazo One, is really understandable. It makes everything easier.”
Bairu’s mission was bold: automate in-store restaurant sales for thousands of independent operators across Latin America.
Today, José is focused on Valerian, a software factory building AI solutions for enterprise companies, with the same founder discipline he developed at Bairu:
• Start simple
• Move fast
• Validate everything
• Stay close to the customer
These principles have shaped how he builds and how he manages his team.
José’s advice is practical, honest, and grounded in experience. It’s exactly the kind of clarity other founders need.
“Get obsessed with what you’re doing. If you’re obsessed, you’re going to do good things.”
Being a solo founder is extremely hard. His advice:
• Find a co-founder
• Hire people who complement your skills
• Don’t try to do everything yourself
“If you’re technical, find someone strong in marketing, sales, or operations.”
Engineers often complicate early product development.
“Start with the simplest technology you can. Don’t over-engineer. Don’t make things harder than they need to be.”
This applies in every industry.
“Talk to customers first. Put a very basic MVP in their hands as fast as possible. Let the market tell you what matters.”
The idea may evolve. The team is what endures.
“Ideas change. Founders don’t. If you have a great team, even if you run out of money, you will find solutions together.”
“I know many founders in Bolivia using Lazo and everybody says the same: they love it. I really love the service you provide. I would recommend Lazo 100%.”
At Lazo, clarity is a value. José needed a partner who could eliminate complexity, simplify compliance, and help him focus on building, not on paperwork.
And that’s exactly what we delivered.
See the complete testimonial and hear directly from José about his experience building with Lazo’s support.
👉 Watch the video testimonial below
Whether you're an early-stage founder or scaling your second company, José’s insights offer practical lessons for building with discipline and focus.
