We’re excited to introduce the newest member of our LATAM team – Andrés Arriaga, who has joined us as an M&A Business Development Executive. Based in San José, Costa Rica, Andrés brings energy, insight, and a passion for connecting people and opportunities.
In this Q&A, we get to know Andrés, his professional background, what drew him to Vesta, and what he’s aiming to achieve in the months ahead.
Tell us a bit about yourself and your background
I’m from San José, Costa Rica, and my passion lies in connecting people, teams, and opportunities. Although I’m a software engineer by training, I’ve always gravitated toward strategic roles that blend people skills with technological understanding.
Over the years, I’ve worked with several strategic tech companies helping drive digital transformation and inclusive growth initiatives across Latin America. Most recently, I was a Client Account Manager at Deloitte. Before that, I worked at Mastercard as an Implementation Specialist, where I had the chance to collaborate on more than 50 fintech projects, including a key public-private initiative in Costa Rica.
What made you choose Vesta as the next step in your career?
This is the job I dreamed of after finishing college. While I started in programming, I quickly realised my strengths were in working with people and navigating the business landscape. At Vesta, I get the best of both worlds. I understand the software side of the business and can now focus on relationship-building with founders and CEOs.
Vesta’s approach is something out of a fairytale. The autonomy and support we give to founders post-acquisition is outstanding. Our proposal is simple, clear, and transparent – qualities that help build trust from the first conversation.
And most importantly: the people. Even before my first day, everyone I met was warm, kind, and collaborative. The culture here is one of the best I’ve ever experienced.
What are your goals for the next 12 months?
In the first three months, my focus is on learning the ropes, from using Salesforce to lead generation and tracking.
By the six-month mark, I aim to deepen relationships and build new strategic partnerships with brokers, incubators, accelerators, and firms across LATAM.
By the end of my first year, my goal is to have at least one company very close to acquisition – ideally at the LOI and due diligence stage.
What are your top three books or podcasts?
Podcasts:
- Rajado (my own podcast!)
- The Duncan Trussell Family Hour
- The Jefferson Fisher Podcast
Books:
- Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi
- A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R. R. Martin
- Jade City by Fonda Lee
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
I’m a passionate podcaster and love talking to interesting people and hearing their stories. It’s a great outlet for my extroverted personality. I’m also a big foodie. Discovering new restaurants or bars with friends is one of my favourite ways to relax. Music is another interest – I’ve composed some video game-style music, and I’m always exploring new genres. And finally, I’m a casual gamer. I enjoy simulation games like Cities: Skylines and Minecraft, as well as the occasional fighting or racing game.
If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?
I’d love to learn all the languages in the world. The ability to connect with anyone, anywhere, would be amazing. I’m starting small, I plan to continue with French lessons later this year.
What is your favourite quote?
There are a few I love:
- “Focus in silence, win in public” – Simon Sinek
- “It is not impermanence that makes us suffer. What makes us suffer is wanting things to be permanent when they are not.” – Nhat Hanh
- “Now and then it’s good to pause in our pursuit of happiness and just be happy.” – Guillaume Apollinaire
