Brenda Alarcon
Business & Entrepreneurship Student · Founder · Builder
I'm Brenda Alarcon, a first-generation Guatemalan American passionate about early-stage building, AI, and the venture ecosystem. I study Business & Entrepreneurship at Santa Clara University and spend most of my time creating projects, joining hackathons, and learning how companies scale from zero to one. My long-term goal is to support impactful founders and grow within VC.
A bit about me
Bain & Company CREW Program
Bain & Company's CREW Program is highly selective, and being chosen for it allowed me to spend a day inside one of the world's top consulting firms learning directly from Bain consultants and leaders. The program pushed me to think more strategically, collaborate under pressure, and understand what effective leadership looks like in practice.
Some of the most inspiring people I've met were part of my cohort, and many of those connections have turned into ongoing mentorship and friendships.
View PostAcademic Global Immersion – Abu Dhabi University
I represented Menlo College as part of an Academic Global Immersion program at Abu Dhabi University, where I presented my story as a first-generation student and shared how Menlo has shaped my academic and professional growth. Engaging with ADU leadership, learning about the Middle Eastern business landscape, and connecting with students across cultures made the experience deeply inspiring and perspective-shifting.
View Post
I'm passionate about making technology and education more accessible for people who don't have traditional pathways. Most of my projects start with a simple question: "How would this help my friends and community?"
If you're building something for students or first-generation communities, I'd love to connect. I'm always looking for meaningful ways to collaborate.
Startup World Cup
Conferences, networking events, and hallway conversations. My favorite part is meeting people who are solving real problems and building meaningful solutions.
I take notes, share insights with my network, and look for ways we can turn ideas into action together.
View Post
I believe in keeping things authentic and approachable, with no corporate buzzwords, just genuine conversations about what actually works.
If you see me at an event, feel free to say hello. I'm always interested in learning about what you're building and how we might collaborate.
Beyond the Classroom
When I'm not building projects or studying, I love traveling and exploring new places with my American Staffordshire Terrier, Princess. Whether it's hiking a new trail or discovering a new part of the world, exploring keeps me grounded and curious.
Let's Connect
Interested in collaborating, learning more about my work, or discussing opportunities? I'd love to hear from you.