Alumni Spotlight: Diego Emilio Varela de la Parra

Major: Interactive Media Management, Recent Centennial College graduate (less than 1 year)

As a recent international graduate from Centennial College, Diego Emilio Varela de la Parra joined COIE programs, including Global Goals Jam, pitch mentorship, and the All-Star Pitch Competition, to connect with like-minded entrepreneurs and grow his venture.

Keywords: Alumni, Alumni Impact story, Venture idea, COIE Demo Day Winter 2026

Finding His Voice: Diego’s Journey from Pitching to Connecting

What he didn’t expect was how much his perspective on pitching and entrepreneurship would change.

At first, Diego focused on preparing the “perfect” pitch. But through real conversations with attendees, mentors, and fellow founders, he realized something more important: it’s not about delivering a fixed script. It’s about listening, understanding what people care about, and adapting your story in the moment. That shift helped him communicate his venture in a way that felt more natural, authentic, and impactful.

Working alongside peers from different backgrounds, marketing, cybersecurity, and beyond, also pushed Diego to think differently. These weren’t just classmates or competitors; they became people he could learn from, exchange ideas with, and stay connected to beyond the program.

Now, as an alumnus, Diego is committed to giving back, whether by offering internships, sharing insights with new entrepreneurs, or exploring new partnerships. His journey reflects how COIE empowers students to refine their voice, expand their network, and step confidently into the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Venture idea from Diego: The Charter

An academic and photojournalistic platform that maps social science topics through images and key insights, making content engaging for K–12 students, while offering tailored versions for higher education.