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From selling guavas in a Dominican barrio to becoming a co-founder of a successful fintech startup in Silicon Valley, Edrizio De La Cruz’s journey is nothing short of inspirational. De La Cruz, who emigrated to America and rose from humble beginnings in Harlem, is the perfect embodiment of the phrase ‘triumph amidst adversity.’
As a college dropout and former US Air Force member, De La Cruz initially worked as an aircraft technician to survive. He never let his circumstances define him, choosing instead to persevere and make leaps towards better opportunities. On his path to success, De La Cruz returned to college, found work on Wall Street, and later earned an MBA from Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
However, his entrepreneurial spirit truly shone in 2013 when De La Cruz co-founded the fintech company Arcus. The startup was a huge success, recognized by Forbes as one of the most thriving startups of 2021. Arcus attracted industry-leading investors including Y Combinator, Citi Ventures, SoftBank, and Ignia. Eventually, the company was sold to Mastercard, marking a significant milestone in De La Cruz’s entrepreneurship journey.
This remarkable voyage, laden with obstacles and victories, resulted in De La Cruz’s timeless masterpiece, “The Underdog Founder.” This brutally candid playbook serves as an illuminating guide not only for Black and Hispanic entrepreneurs but also for all those bold souls yearning to etch their mark in the entrepreneurial world.
Unlike typical success stories, “The Underdog Founder” encapsulates the real-world hardships like racism, poverty, and imposter syndrome that underrepresented founders often face. More importantly, it introduces seven key principles that will empower readers to rise above these challenges and transform them into stepping stones towards their dream.
Praise for “The Underdog Founder” is widespread, reflecting the authenticity of De La Cruz’s experiences and the value of the insights he offers. New York Times bestselling author Junot Diaz commends it as a “candid, unsentimental and brilliantly courageous” portrayal of the American dream. Meanwhile, Gaby Natale, a three-time Emmy award winner, views the book as a unique blend of memoir and guide that empowers entrepreneurs to turn disadvantages into advantages.
De La Cruz’s ambition extends beyond personal success. His ultimate goal, as he says, is to “be that playbook and guide for my younger self, for the young Edrizio at 19 who was lost, who didn’t know how to take that first step and didn’t know it was possible.” He aspires, through his book, to reach out to youngsters from similar backgrounds, assuring them not just that their dreams are achievable but that their circumstances can become their strength.
In essence, “The Underdog Founder” is not merely a touchstone of De La Cruz’s personal journey, but an invaluable artifact for aspiring entrepreneurs. It stands as a testament to the power of diversity, affirmative action, and newfound perspectives, underlining their ability to make the American dream attainable, not despite daunting odds, but because of them.
Edrizio De La Cruz’s story is an inspiring beacon of hope in the world of entrepreneurship. It assures young aspirants that, like a lotus blooming through the murkiness of a pond, they too can rise from their circumstances, conquer their adversities, and establish businesses that would burgeon into success, irrespective of their race, background, or circumstances.
For more insights on his journey, follow De La Cruz on his website https://www.edriziodelacruz.com and discover how you too can bloom as an underdog founder.
