Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Tech startups created without the internet, mechanics creating ways to keep American cars from the 50’s alive and designers circulating an independent publication through a USB distribution network – Cuba’s startup scene is resilient and growing.

In Cuba, there is a philosophy and famed local saying called resolver (resolve it).  It describes Cuba’s spirit of prevailing tenacity in the face of adversity and Cubans’ profound abilities to do more with less. Resilience and creativity are elements of daily life on the island, and they result in a radical local startup scene.

A stroll through Havana’s leafy avenues and cobblestone streets reveals the entrepreneurial nature of the island and its people. Clothing brands reuse old plastics, art galleries occupy old factories, salsa dancing schools thrive inside local homes and tapas bars double as fashion boutiques. But the entrepreneurial movement goes beyond the hip spots that have emerged in recent years. Cuban entrepreneurs are preserving cultural heritage, promoting social causes and defining a vision for a new future. 

Inspired by the Cuban resolver philosophy and the island’s community-oriented approach to innovation, we created a tour to introduce you to Cuba’s top entrepreneurs, thinkers and designers paving the way for innovation on the island. Explore the entrepreneurial spirit found in the island’s food, art, fashion and design. You will engage in inspiring discussions with local business owners, step into the kitchen to learn about running a Cuban paladar and venture beyond tourist crowds into Havana’s quietly emerging arts and design district. Discover the secret to designing, improvising and thriving in scarcity: resolver.