Episode 1: Inside Davos w/Venancio Mendez: Startups & Global Shapers

In this first episode of Shaping The Way, we sit down with Venancio Mendez Levy, Outgoing Curator of the Global Shapers Houston Hub and CEO & Founder of SunLean AI.Venancio shares insights from his experience at the 2026 World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland. Unpacking the conversations happening at one of the world’s most influential global gatherings and what they mean for the next generation of builders and entrepreneurs.We also dive into how he leveraged the Global Shapers community to support his journey as an entrepreneur, using the network and platform to create opportunities for his startup, SunLean AI. SunLean AI specializes in AI-driven quality control for solar PV projects. With the goal to enhance efficiency and reliability of solar installations using advanced AI technology for real-time defect detection and data sharing.On a more personal note, Ven reflects on his time as curator of the Houston Hub and how that role shaped his leadership, perspective, and approach to building impact-driven ventures.A conversation on global exposure, entrepreneurship, and how communities like Global Shapers can become launchpads for real-world impact.