Gustavo Sosa | Founder and Scientific Director | INBIOAR
Gustavo Sosa is a man of many roles—a forest engineer, researcher, and successful entrepreneur. His journey from academic research to establishing a successful company, INBIOAR, highlights his commitment to innovation in agriculture, particularly in the realm of biological solutions. With a background rich in scientific research and gene expression, Gustavo’s transformation into a business leader didn’t come easy. But through trial, error, and resilience, he founded INBIOAR, a company known for its commitment to creating sustainable solutions in crop protection. At EliteX, we are proud to have Gustavo Sosa as part of the edition: Extraordinary Business Leaders to Watch, 2024.
Gustavo’s journey began in the academic world, where he pursued a path in plant physiology research, exploring areas like photosynthesis and gene expression. With a Ph.D. and two postdoctoral studies under his belt—one in cell physiology and another at The Ohio State University focusing on gene regulation—Gustavo amassed extensive knowledge. However, he found that academia alone wasn’t enough for him. His need to create, change, and challenge himself led him to explore a new path in entrepreneurship. Reflecting on his transition, Gustavo acknowledges that his scientific experience, while invaluable, didn’t provide the leadership skills necessary for running a business. Establishing INBIOAR required him to learn management and leadership through hands-on experience. The journey wasn’t straightforward, but it allowed him to make his mark in the world of biological products. INBIOAR’s focus on sustainable crop protection caught the attention of international conferences, where Gustavo now frequently shares insights on the company’s work. For him, this recognition is a testament to the dedicated team that he built around him.
“When I see my team working happily and independently, making decisions without me, I feel I’ve succeeded as a leader.”
The shift from research to entrepreneurship was driven by Gustavo’s desire to make a tangible impact. One day, he realized that his daily work in academia felt repetitive, and he wanted to explore other ways to contribute meaningfully. This search led him to the field of allelochemicals—chemicals produced by plants that influence the growth and development of neighbouring plants. Fascinated by plant-to-plant interactions, he saw potential to apply his knowledge of allelochemicals in the crop protection industry. With a vision to introduce allelochemical-based products to agriculture, Gustavo founded INBIOAR. Establishing a company around a novel concept was challenging, but Gustavo was determined to bring the benefits of allelochemicals to agriculture. Today, INBIOAR stands as a leader in this field, helping farmers leverage the natural interactions between plants for better crop protection.
Describing his leadership style as “easy-going,” Gustavo emphasizes the importance of motivation, trust, and diverse perspectives. He believes in focusing on people’s talents and creating an environment where team members feel valued. In his view, diversity adds unique approaches to problem-solving, and patience helps ensure that everyone’s strengths are utilized effectively. By fostering a relaxed yet focused workplace, Gustavo encourages his team to push toward seemingly impossible goals, confident that their collective talent will lead to success. Gustavo’s values as a leader reflect his journey. Overeducated by traditional standards and unable to find a fitting role within the companies in his country, he built a “dream job” for himself. His experience of creating his ideal workplace led him to become the kind of leader he once wished he had. Leadership, in his view, is about supporting others’ growth. Gustavo feels a deep sense of purpose when he sees his team moving in sync toward shared goals. The decisions at INBIOAR are made as a team, with everyone’s input valued—a dynamic that Gustavo finds both motivating and fulfilling.
For Gustavo, success is less about individual accomplishments and more about seeing his team operate independently. When his colleagues make decisions and solve challenges without needing his intervention, he feels he has achieved something meaningful. Gustavo describes his approach to leadership as akin to baking a cake with ingredients chosen by his team. Rather than dictating each step, he provides guidance and lets the team take ownership of their work, creating a collaborative environment that fosters growth and innovation. INBIOAR’s milestones are closely tied to the people who have joined the organization. Each new team member represents a step forward, contributing their unique skills to the company’s mission. While technical and partnership milestones are important, Gustavo believes that the real strength behind these achievements lies in the talent of his team. By investing in people, INBIOAR continues to grow and make a difference in the agricultural industry.
“Innovation is the result of dissatisfaction—a tool we use every day to improve, whether tackling big ideas or everyday problems.”
At INBIOAR, innovation is a natural outcome of the team’s shared motivation and sense of purpose. For Gustavo, innovation isn’t always about groundbreaking discoveries; sometimes, it’s simply about solving everyday problems in new ways. His team’s motivation drives them to think creatively, and innovation becomes a “common coin” at the company, with each team member contributing ideas and solutions. Looking ahead to the future, Gustavo recognizes the challenges his company faces, particularly in developing an effective, low-cost bio-herbicide. The industry has poured significant resources into this endeavour, but no definitive solution has yet emerged. INBIOAR is making strides in this area, working on prototypes and filing patents with the USDA. Gustavo sees this challenge as an opportunity for growth and remains committed to advancing his company’s research in this critical area.
Gustavo takes an unconventional approach to work-life balance at INBIOAR, allowing employees to manage their time without strict schedules. His focus is on results, encouraging team members to find their own balance between work and personal life. By removing restrictions on working hours and emphasizing outcomes, Gustavo creates an environment where commitment and trust drive success, enabling each individual to flourish both personally and professionally. Throughout his career, Gustavo has learned the importance of mentorship and the value of having role models. By observing the success of others, he found inspiration and developed his own approach to leadership. Today, he actively mentors his team members, offering them guidance on their career paths and ensuring they feel supported. He believes in offering opportunities early, discussing potential roles with Ph.D. students even before they complete their degrees. This forward-thinking approach fosters a supportive environment where talent is recognized and nurtured.
Gustavo acknowledges that innovation can be a double-edged sword. While long-term plans and strategies are essential, the outcomes are not always predictable. INBIOAR adopts a flexible approach to decision-making, with multiple contingency plans to navigate the uncertainties of the innovation process. This flexibility has allowed the company to adapt quickly and remain resilient in the face of challenges, transforming setbacks into learning opportunities. For Gustavo, a positive workplace culture is built on open communication and mutual respect. He values each team member’s contributions and makes an effort to know them personally, including details about their families and interests. This “family-team” dynamic creates a supportive atmosphere, where colleagues work harmoniously even under pressure. Gustavo believes that shouting or impulsive reactions don’t solve problems; instead, calm, respectful interactions set the tone for a constructive work environment.
Risk is inherent in Gustavo’s work at INBIOAR. He approaches risk-taking with careful planning, considering multiple strategies to ensure the company’s flexibility. This adaptability has enabled INBIOAR to thrive in the innovation-driven agricultural sector, with backup plans helping the company stay resilient through challenges. Looking forward to 2024, Gustavo is excited about INBIOAR’s growth plans, particularly the expansion into Texas. Establishing a presence in the U.S. will mark a significant milestone in the company’s journey toward global impact. With partnerships in Europe and the U.S., Gustavo is optimistic about INBIOAR’s future. He sees this expansion as an opportunity to further the company’s mission of bringing sustainable, allelochemical-based solutions to agriculture worldwide.
“Leadership is motivation. It is to focus on people’s talent and trust those who share the same vision, even if they approach it differently.”
Gustavo Sosa’s journey from scientist to entrepreneur is a story of transformation, resilience, and vision. With INBIOAR, he has not only built a company but also created a community of talented individuals working toward a shared goal. Gustavo’s leadership style, rooted in trust, inclusivity, and innovation, drives INBIOAR’s success and positions it for a promising future in the agricultural industry. As he looks to expand INBIOAR globally, Gustavo remains committed to fostering a workplace where creativity, respect, and teamwork pave the way for meaningful progress in sustainable agriculture.