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Key people at Laboratoria.
Laboratoria is a tech social enterprise based in Lima, Peru, that trains young women from low-income backgrounds in web development and digital skills through immersive coding programs. The organization connects its thousands of graduates to tech jobs as software developers in various companies across multiple Latin American countries, aiming to significantly boost their income and promote diversity within the technology industry. Operating as a nonprofit social enterprise, Laboratoria, Inc. was established in California in 2017, funded by various investors and supporters. Its initial pilot program in 2014 involved 15 women, demonstrating substantial growth to train thousands since its inception. Founder and CEO Mariana Costa Checa, who was elected an independent director of Engie Energy Peru in 2019, has guided the organization's expansion alongside two co-founders. Laboratoria was founded in 2014 in Lima, Peru, by Mariana Costa Checa and two co-founders.
Key people at Laboratoria.
Laboratoria is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering women in Latin America to build sustainable careers in technology through intensive remote bootcamps focused on technical and life skills. It serves women who have faced barriers to entering the tech workforce, providing training as web developers and UX designers, and supporting job placement with an average rate of 79%. Laboratoria addresses the gender gap in the digital economy by creating pathways for women to access quality tech jobs, thereby fostering a more diverse and competitive tech ecosystem in Latin America[1][2][4][5].
Founded in Lima, Peru, in 2014, Laboratoria emerged from the observation by its co-founders that tech companies struggled to find developers, and that applicants were predominantly men, often self-taught rather than formally educated. This insight revealed a dual challenge: a lack of female representation in tech and a high demand for skilled tech talent. Starting with a pilot program training 15 women, Laboratoria rapidly expanded across Latin America, now operating remotely to reach women in multiple countries including Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and others. The organization has graduated over 3,500 women, with more than 1,100 companies hiring its talent[2][4][3].
Laboratoria rides the global trend of digital transformation and the urgent need for diversity and inclusion in tech. The timing is critical as Latin America faces a tech talent shortage alongside persistent gender gaps. By equipping women with in-demand skills and connecting them to employers, Laboratoria helps bridge these gaps, contributing to a more equitable and competitive digital economy. Its remote model also aligns with the increasing acceptance of distributed workforces, expanding opportunities for underrepresented groups[1][4][7].
Looking ahead, Laboratoria plans to expand its community platform, Laboratoria+, to accelerate career growth and innovation among women in tech. Despite challenges like economic slowdowns and tech sector layoffs, the persistent demand for diverse tech talent in Latin America positions Laboratoria for continued impact. Its influence is likely to grow as companies increasingly prioritize inclusion and as digital economies expand regionally, making Laboratoria a key driver of social and economic transformation through technology[4].
Laboratoria’s mission to break barriers and create opportunities for women in tech not only transforms individual lives but also reshapes the Latin American tech ecosystem toward greater diversity and inclusion.
