Issue link: http://endeavor.uberflip.com/i/414924
FOCUS Bruno Balbinot COMPANY AMBAR INDUSTRY Industrials YEAR SELECTED 2012 EMPLOYEES AT SELECTION 15 EMPLOYEES 2014 80 IN BRAZIL'S construction industry, the process of electrical installation is rife with waste and inefficiencies. While running an electrical wire and cable manufacturer, Bruno saw an opportunity to create a standard- ized electrical solution that could cut costs and save time during housing construction. Following the advice of an Endeavor mentor, he sold the manufacturing business to start AMBAR, drawing inspiration from the automobile industry to create reliable electrical systems designed, produced and installed by one company. AMBAR can complete a 12-house project with two low-skilled workers in one week; a construction company would require five highly-skilled workers for the same project. These efficiency gains have led AMBAR to secure major construction contracts, servicing nearly 7,000 houses over two years with another 20,000 under development. With Brazil's national need for low-income housing estimated at 15 million over the next decade, AMBAR's innovative model offers a critical opportunity to the industry. The company is cur- rently looking to apply its innovative model to the design of home water systems as well. Endeavor Brazil currently supports 128 entrepreneurs leading 72 companies. Bruno Balbinot 41 NETWORK ENDEAVOR BRAZIL´S online presence hit high marks, with two million unique visitors to its web- site, 150,000+ downloads of its 10+ free e-books, and 300,000+ followers on social networks. AFTER SELLING his busi- ness to Agrecco, Wilson Poit was nominated as the business secretary for São Paulo. His goal is to simplify the bureau- cracy for doing business in the city. ANDRÉ AND LUIS REZENDE of Prática, a leading domestic food- production equipment manufacturer, won EY's "Entrepreneurs of the Year" award in the "Emerging" category. BEBESTORE , a leading online baby goods retailer in Brazil, acquired its rival, Baby, and suc- cessfully raised a $12.3m round of financing led by venture capital firms Atomico and W7, with par- ticipation from Endeavor Catalyst. The New York Times' Dealbook profiled the fundraise. ENDEAVOR BRAZIL mentors and entrepre- neurs donated more than 2,000 hours, giving back to the ecosystem through mentoring, media inter- views, and speaking engagements. ENDEAVOR MAIN OFFICE São Paulo (2000) PORTO ALEGRE (2011) RIO DE JANEIRO (2005) CURITIBA (2010) RECIFE (2011) FORTALEZA (2014) BELO HORIZONTE (2010)