We are an impact catalyst
through venture and philanthropy.
Caricaco prepares leaders, supports innovative projects, and generates real impact. We empower people to dare to act, leaving their mark on the community and the country.
We are Power
We were born to empower. Everything can be empowered.
Caricaco drives businesses and people through Caricaco Ventures and Caricaco Foundation.
We want to leave our mark, because we believe that when communities strengthen and unite, anything is possible. We activate minds, connect hearts, and bet on more entrepreneurs, more opportunities, and more impact — for Costa Rica and the region
We empower people to leave their mark on their community and country.
Our story
Over the past years, as an entrepreneur and social leader, Amadeo Quirós Martén has developed a growing sensitivity towards the need to generate equal opportunities. He understood that the inequality gap —especially in terms of possibilities— is unfair, and decided to act from different fronts to expand his impact.
Caricaco was born from his vision of seeking how to create a space to support entrepreneurs under the incubator model. Then, he decided to take it a step further and created the foundation, which seeks to generate more and better opportunities through education, employability, and social impact projects.
Why that name? As a child, Amadeo spent hours playing in the sand and sea, inventing races with caricacos —the little crabs with shells—. His imagination delighted his grandmother, Floria Herrero Pinto, who as a good artist, even wrote him a poem. At a moment when he needed it, this story found a special place in his mind and heart and inspired strength to ‘level up’, become captain of his own ship, and motivate others to do the same.
“Captain Caricaco leveled up, he’s no longer a crab captain, now he’s a boat captain. He makes bets on his boat to see which runs faster, whether the adventurous dolphin or the tuna fish. He’s brave and daring, he’s not afraid of anything, not even the fierce sharks, or the swordfish’s beak. He’s always full of friends to play hide and seek, to run on the sand and catch the whale.”
Who is Captain Caricaco?
Amadeo Quirós is a life entrepreneur, driven by the desire to leave a positive mark on the world. He deeply believes in education as an engine of development. Passionate about adrenaline and competition, he carries in his blood the drive to excel, set big goals, and never give up on his ideas.
“I want to generate a positive impact in my country, and I know that to achieve it I need
to inspire more people to get involved. Today I am president of Caricaco, from
where I lead two great initiatives: At Caricaco Foundation we work to
level the playing field, creating opportunities for young people in Costa Rica through
employment-oriented education and a successful work future. At Caricaco
Ventures we strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Central America,
investing in the best founders and putting the region on the venture
capital map.”
President
Our team
Amadeo Quirós
President
Andrés Lang
CEO
Mauricio Miranda
Caricaco Foundation Manager
Rodrigo Villalta
Caricaco Ventures Investment Manager
David Monge
Senior Accountant
Melissa Guevara
Senior Associate
Juan Múñoz
Community & Academy Leader
Valerie Arias
Communications Coordinator
Mariel Carvajal
Communications Assistant
Tomás Castro
Investment Analyst
Karla Acuña
Planning and Projects Coordinator
Rosibel Cerdas
Knowledge Coordinator
Daniela Navarro
Accountant
Gabriela Jiménez
Accountant
Jose David Castro
Accountant
Our office
We are always constantly in motion.
A space where decisions with impact are made, and where passion, community, and good vibes are breathed. We believe in balance, family, and purposeful work.
