Creditea, led in Mexico by Gustavo Romero, celebrates its tenth anniversary, consolidating its focus on underserved segments, particularly individuals without a credit history or part of the informal economy. Operating in the country since 2016 under a 100% digital model, the firm has capitalized on the demand for agility and personalization in consumption. By delegating the operation, Herdez aligns its brand usage licenses with Froneri's global framework, allowing for execution based on international innovation standards. In Mexico, entrepreneurial activity reached 19.4% in 2025, though only 4.9% of adults manage to establish a stable business. Grupo Herdez and Froneri International Limited announced an agreement to create a 50/50 strategic partnership in the ice cream business in Mexico. In this complex environment, the Mexico Competitiveness Center (CCMX), led by Juan Carlos Ostolaza, along with Wortev, has implemented incubation models that integrate training, mentorship, and access to capital to professionalize projects from early stages. During 2025, CCMX trained over 2,000 entrepreneurs, strengthening their capabilities against structural barriers such as lack of financing, poor planning, and low technological adoption that limit business growth. Romero's strategy aligns with the evolution of an ecosystem where real payment capacity and the use of alternative data are fundamental to closing financial inclusion gaps. Schneider Electric has appointed Luis D’Acosta Anezin as its new president and CEO for Mexico and Central America, a position he has held since April 1, 2026, based in Mexico City. The operational plan includes tripling investment in these programs to exceed 7.5 million pesos, aiming to reverse the gap between the intention to start a business and corporate survival in the country. CCMX aims for new businesses to stop being isolated efforts and become entities with scalable potential. Creditea celebrates 10 years. Access to credit in Mexico is undergoing a structural transformation driven by the growth of e-commerce, which registers rates over 20% annually, according to the Mexican Association of Online Sales (AMVO). The operation involves Herdez transferring full operational control to Froneri, one of the largest companies in the sector worldwide, to implement its specialized model in the portfolio that includes the Helados Nestlé, Häagen-Dazs, Mega, and Carlos V brands. Following the agreement's formalization, the Mexican issuer will cease to consolidate the results of this division and will record its proportional interest under the heading 'Participation in the Results of Associates'. The transaction will be carried out through a capital contribution from Froneri, destined to strengthen the financial structure and ensure the joint growth plan, so it does not represent an immediate cash inflow for Grupo Herdez. Phil Griffin, General Director of Froneri, stated that the company plans to invest to develop the business and unlock its potential in the national market. For 2026, Ostolaza projects an expansion of the program with the goal of training over 3,000 entrepreneurs in seven states of the country. The partnership seeks to combine Froneri's international experience with Herdez's local knowledge in a category that the Mexican company had operated under an exclusive license from Nestlé since 2015. The closing of the transaction is subject to the authorization of the National Antimonopoly Commission (CNA) and the fulfillment of customary conditions, with an estimated formalization date during 2026. The executive has a track record of over 25 years in international leadership within the energy, digital solutions, and software for utilities and industry sectors. This dynamism has shifted the traditional financing model towards solutions integrated into the shopping experience, where credit ceases to be a standalone product and becomes an operational layer under 'buy now, pay later' (BNPL) and embedded financing schemes. D’Acosta has been part of Schneider Electric for the last eight years, holding global strategic roles such as CEO of Uplight and Executive Vice President of Digital Energy worldwide.
