In the latest episode of Mentes Colectivas, Fran Estevan, founder of Inneürope, sits down with Leonte Pallais, General Manager of 5B, the network that brings together Guatemala’s leading banks and one of the key players in Latin America’s payments ecosystem. The topic couldn’t be more timely: how to open up innovation so that banks, startups, and emerging technologies can build real solutions together.
Speaking from 5B’s studio, Fran shares a clear vision: innovation isn’t about trends—it’s about structure and method. And for it to work, it needs to open up. Open up to external talent, new ways of thinking, and diverse ecosystems.
“Open innovation means letting go of the idea that the best ideas only come from within. It’s about inviting others to think with us and to solve challenges together,” he explains.
Throughout the conversation, they dive into real-world examples—from Apple to COVID vaccines and the rise of artificial intelligence. But they also ground the discussion in the Latin American context: low financial inclusion, regulatory gaps, emerging entrepreneurship, and an urgent need to drive inclusive finance through responsible technologies.
“There’s talent here, an entrepreneurial spirit, and real challenges that demand agile solutions. That’s exactly where collaboration between banks and fintech makes perfect sense”, Fran notes.
Far from being a technical interview, the episode also explores leadership, organizational culture, and the role of senior executives in times of disruption.
“Sometimes the best innovation doesn’t come from having a clear ‘why’, but from daring to explore without all the answers”, Fran reflects.
Because innovation isn’t just about having good ideas—it’s about knowing who to build them with.
And that’s precisely what drives us at Inneürope: to support those who dare to think big and collaborate with purpose.
Together with 5B and its network of allies, we continue working to turn open innovation into real solutions, meaningful partnerships, and changes that make a difference in Latin America’s financial ecosystem.
We invite you to listen to the full episode and subscribe to Mentes Colectivas on your favorite podcast platform.
