Global Businessman Alejandro Betancourt López Shares His Investment Insights

Alejandro Betancourt López has solidified himself among the most successful global businessmen of the day. His net worth of $2.6 billion demonstrates a strong ability to identify opportunities, make strategic investments, and grow a business into an international success. One of his greatest successes is the international sunglasses brand Hawkers.

Hawkers began as a startup with just $300 — and without a well-defined niche within a competitive market. It grew enough to successfully raise 50 million euros (approximately $53 million) through a Series A funding effort, however, and much of this was Betancourt López’s investment.

Along with his investment, Betancourt López was named president of the company. It was under his leadership that Hawkers launched its own product line, manufacturing in China, Italy, and Spain while selling around the world. The brand used a direct-to-consumer business model at a time when most high-end sunglasses were sold through retailers. Betancourt López was ahead of the curve by using social media to get the Hawkers’ message across to grow sales. ”It was cool, it was fresh, and we were doing something different than anybody else at the time, which is online social, or social media marketing,” he says. “And that approach totally disrupted the market in the way we penetrated the market. And I think that that innovation has built a huge brand that is today Hawkers.”

Hawkers grew to $100 million in annual sales and continues to see higher revenues. It now has a strong position within the marketplaces of Australia, the United States, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, and the United Kingdom. A team of 40 employees has grown to 500, and the company now also successfully sells through its stores and wholesale.

As Hawkers grew, so too did Betancourt López’s net worth. It was due in no small part to his vision, leadership, and execution that both the company and he did well. As he’s commented, “You could have many great ideas, but the execution is what matters. The right executors or executives take these ideas into something … something pragmatic.” In short: “Real is what matters.”

Alejandro Betancourt López’s Other Business Ventures

In addition to Hawkers, Alejandro Betancourt López has been involved in a number of other investments across the energy, financial, and transportation sectors.

Betancourt López’s principal financial sector investments have been in the BDK Financial Group, which provides financial services to French-speaking Africa, and O’Hara Administration, an international investment group, of which Betancourt López is the lead investor.

The most innovative company that Alejandro Betancourt López has invested in is Auro Travel. He’s been a notable shareholder since the company’s founding. Auro Travel is a vehicle-for-hire service in Spain, much like the Uber and Lyft ride-share companies in the United States. Again, Betancourt López was ahead of the pack.

“The advantage is that we had the view or the vision before it happened in Spain and we acquired these licenses before the market consolidated,” he shares. “That gave us a differentiation from competitors because they had to arrive and then the cost of entry or the barriers of entry were much higher for them because they were late in the game. That’s what gave us the footing.

“To go a step further on that, we built infrastructure, we formed the people that were the drivers. We created a kind of an ecosystem around the service providers that put us in a very, very differentiated position.”

Auro received a November 2022 buyout offer from Cabify and Uber for 200 million euros. The company has continued to grow since the buyout offer was made.

Investment Insights From Alejandro Betancourt López

With such a track record, Alejandro Betancourt López understands what’s necessary to achieve success on a large scale. Moreover, he comprehends how to be successful in multiple industries and locations.

In addition to the standard advice of hard work, determination, and perseverance in the face of adversity, Betancourt López has some additional insights for business owners, startups, entrepreneurs, and investors who seek oversized returns.

— Hard work is absolutely essential.

Before looking at his other insights, the role that hard work plays in success can’t be understated. “The most important thing is that they have drive, that they are workaholics, that they believe in what they’re doing,” Betancourt López stresses.

— Take care of customers and employees.

At the heart of every business, irrespective of industry or operations, are people. It’s people who must be prioritized if a company is to see the long-term success that’s needed for international growth. This includes both customers and employees.

Staffers must be given the tools and opportunities to succeed within the enterprise. Unhappy employees lead to subpar work and high turnover, both of which can hamper growth.

Customers differ depending on whether a business operates as a business-to-consumer or business-to-business enterprise, but all customers want the same thing: a competitively priced, high-quality product with solid service. Good customer service is essential, as many customers can choose where to purchase products or services.

— Leverage social media for growth.

For business-to-consumer enterprises, social media has become one of the most effective ways of growing sales. Social platforms allow for highly targeted messaging, and posts can take off if shared.

Social media is where consumers are, and it’s where businesses selling direct need to be. Even if selling through retailers, social is still an essential way to develop branding.

— Remain flexible in all situations.

The best businesses adapt, such as when Hawkers shifted strategies and began developing an in-house brand. The company then repeatedly adapted with each new nation it entered, adjusting marketing, pricing, and other aspects to the country’s target demographic.

Whether it’s a sudden shutdown, market change, or new international opportunities, business leaders and their companies must be able to adapt in all situations.

In Betancourt López’s words, executives and business leaders “don’t see problems, but solutions.”

— Watch artificial intelligence as the future unfolds.

As the role of AI in business continues to form, Betancourt López (like many) sees its roles as being diverse.

He notes the potential for AI to make marketing more effective. This is where AI could have “a huge impact.” Essentially, the real-time ability to adapt and change brings flexibility, which is so vital for companies to have.