AKAIO is powered by experienced founders and a collaborative group of subject matter experts.

The Founders

Juan Manuel Gutierrez

Co-Founder | CEO

Juan Manuel Gutiérrez, a seasoned business executive with over 25 years of professional experience, stands at the helm of AKAIO as its Co-Founder and CEO. His extensive background includes various executive roles internationally, notably in the financial sector, where he demonstrated solid results in company growth and profitability as the CEO of Axactor and Lindorff—leading debt management firms, as well as the setup CEO of CitiFinancial. He's successfully scaled large companies and make them public. Before AKAIO, he founded Alsig Corporation. Juan Manuel's journey is underpinned by a robust academic foundation, including an MBA from the University of Dallas, a BBA and Law Degree from Spain, and diplomas from the prestigious MIT Sloan School of Management. With a deep understanding of both financial and technological trends, Juan Manuel is now reshaping the future of innovation, AI and entrepreneurship.

"My mission is clear: lead AKAIO to turn AI possibilities into scalable innovative solutions for the future."

Hitendra Patel

Co-Founder | IXL & GIMI

Hitendra is the CEO of IXL Center, a Cambridge-based global innovation management consulting firm. He has helped over 200 global companies and their executive teams drive transformation initiatives to build innovation capabilities and achieve new growth. Professor of Innovation and Strategic Growth at Rotman School of Management.

"All of us have the potential to create new, great ideas and the capacity to make it reality one day. So if everyone has the potential to have great ideas, why aren't we all becoming genius inventors?"

Alejandro Gutierrez

Co-Founder | CIO

Bachelor in Computer Science & AI from IE University. Former Jr Consulting Analyst at OpenBank. Alejandro's expertise spans multiple industries, from healthcare to finance, where he has driven innovation through the implementation of advanced data systems and cloud architecture. Known for his commitment to fostering high-performing teams, Alejandro continues to lead with a vision centered on transformative technology and operational excellence.

"A great technology strategy is about more than innovation; it's about driving real, lasting impact. I'm passionate about building solutions that not only advance our capabilities but also empower humans create meaningful change"

Executive Team : Boston and Madrid

Luis Arrechea

General Counsel & HR

Luis is an ICAM lawyer with 25 years of experience as a legal advisor on KPMG and as General Counsel of Abanca Corporation, Axactor and Jofemar Corporation. He has studied in Oxford, Michigan, Madrid and Chicago; is in possession of a Law Degree by ICADE, a PDG by IESE and a Brand Building Executive by the Kellogg School of Management. Now he is in his second year of an UPV/EHA PhD on Globalization, Data and AI.

"AI is the catalyst that propels innovation branding to new frontiers, where creativity and technology converge to shape the future"

Josep Pique

Sales - Conferences

Telecommunication Engineer from La Salle and UPC and MBA from ESADE. Doctor on Ecosystems of Innovation from Universitat Ramon Llull. Diplomas from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and University of California-Berkeley. Founding President XPCAT (Catalan Network of Science Parks), Vice-President of APTE (Spanish Network of Science Parks), Former President of IASP (International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation), and President of the Triple Helix Association.

"In the realm of AI, our challenge is to create symbiotic relationships -harnessing this transformative technology to cultivate rich ecosystems of innovation that respond not just to market demands but to societal needs."

José Antonio Vicente San Ceferino

Sales - Direct Spain

José Antonio Vicente San Ceferino is the Director of Recovery at Santander Consumer Finance E.F.C., S.A., with expertise in financial management since 2009. Formerly, he held executive roles at Banco Santander for nearly two decades. He holds an Economics degree from Universidad de Cantabria, an MBA from IE Business School, and a Master in International Trade from ESIC Business & Marketing School, underscoring his deep financial acumen.

"Integrating AI into our strategic framework transforms mere data into profound insights, enabling us to predict trends and adapt swiftly. For companies seeking resilience and innovation, AI is the cornerstone of decision-making in the ever-evolving financial landscape."

Doralba Pacheco & William Perez

Sales - Direct Colombia

Doralba and William combine their extensive financial and managerial expertise to excel in driving sales and strategic growth. Doralba's experience spans roles such as Financial Director and Controller in international and local markets, supported by dual MBAs in Project Management. William brings a solid foundation in fiscal auditing, corporate finance, and cost reduction, with a degree in Public Accounting and a track record of effective project oversight. Together, their diverse backgrounds create a powerful synergy for achieving impactful sales strategies and financial optimization.

"Integrating AI into our expertise allows us to develop more intelligent strategies and gain deeper insights, enabling businesses to tackle complexities and confidently pursue sustainable growth"

Nicolas Saravia

Financial Director

Nicolas Saravia is an accomplished financial director with experience in corporate finance, administration, and strategic management. He also serves as CFO at ALSIG Corporation, and has previously held roles as Finance Controller at other organizations in Uruguay.

"AI holds the power to transform imagination into reality, turning data into decisions and ideas into impact."

WE ARE A BOSTON BASED COMPANY

Boston, MA, is a HUB of AI INNOVATION, fueled by its world-renowned academic institutions like MIT and Harvard, fostering cutting-edge research and development in a winning culture.

AKAIO offices

Boston

Boston Office

110 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA 02141, USA

Madrid

Madrid Office

Calle del Pinar 6Bis, 28006 Madrid, España

Cartagena

Cartagena Office

Edificio Laguna 46Cra. 3 #46-2, Cartagena, Colombia