Telefónica has appointed Andrés Saborido as the new chief executive officer of Wayra, its corporate venture capital and open innovation platform, marking a new phase aimed at closer alignment with the group’s “Transform & Grow” strategy and reinforcing Wayra’s role in driving innovation and business growth.
A New Strategic Phase for Wayra
Under Saborido’s leadership, Wayra is expected to deepen its integration with Telefónica’s operational and technological roadmap. The venture arm will concentrate resources on key markets and high-impact innovation areas that align with the group’s evolving priorities. This shift reflects a broader effort to translate startup collaboration into measurable business value.
Wayra will prioritise investments that directly support internal innovation and commercial impact across the organisation. The unit will focus on technologies considered critical to Telefónica’s future, including cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, network infrastructure, communications, and user experience. This approach aims to accelerate technology adoption while reinforcing the company’s strategic direction.
A Founding Team Member Steps Into the Role
Saborido brings extensive experience within Wayra and the wider corporate venture capital landscape. He was part of the founding team and launched Wayra’s operations in Argentina in 2011, later leading Wayra Spain from 2014 onward. His career within the organisation has spanned both regional and global responsibilities.
As global chief operating officer, he oversaw direct investment activities in Brazil, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Germany. He also led innovation services and open innovation initiatives designed to connect startups with Telefónica’s business units. In this role, he contributed to the development of seed-stage ecosystems across Latin America and Europe, participating in more than 300 investment agreements.
A Track Record in Startup Investment and Collaboration
Over the years, Wayra has built one of the most active corporate venture platforms in the telecommunications sector. Since its launch in 2011, the company has invested in approximately 1,200 startups across multiple regions and industries. More than 520 of those companies remain active within its portfolio today.
Of these, 218 continue to collaborate directly with Telefónica, generating a combined turnover exceeding €700 million. Wayra’s activity has also contributed to the growth of local entrepreneurial ecosystems through cumulative investments of more than €260 million. These figures reflect the platform’s focus on creating commercial partnerships rather than purely financial returns.
Recognition and Leadership Transition
Saborido holds a degree in business administration with a specialisation in technology and new business from the National University of La Plata. His contributions to the venture and innovation ecosystem have earned him several recognitions. Among them, he was named one of the Young Ibero-American Leaders by the Carolina Foundation and, in 2021, was recognised as a Global Corporate Venturing Emerging Leader by the GCV Institute.
Telefónica also expressed its appreciation for the outgoing CEO, Irene Gómez, acknowledging her role in shaping Wayra into a prominent corporate venture capital and open innovation platform. During her tenure, the organisation strengthened its strategic positioning and expanded its impact on entrepreneurial ecosystems. The leadership transition reflects both continuity and a renewed focus on strategic alignment.
The appointment of Andrés Saborido signals a new chapter for Wayra as it deepens its integration with Telefónica’s broader transformation strategy. With a focus on high-impact technologies and stronger collaboration with corporations and institutions, the venture arm aims to translate innovation into tangible business outcomes. Backed by a large startup portfolio and a decade-long investment track record, Wayra is positioning itself as a central catalyst in Telefónica’s next phase of growth.