Mauricio Saettone, Finance & Economics '26 | Byond
Describe your company: Byond, is THE trusted, end-of-life shopping site that allows consumers to easily shop, and compare funeral products, prices, and services anytime, anywhere. Byond acts as a true marketing partner to funeral homes. Our free to use site provides qualified leads to funeral homes while allowing them to manage and customize their Byond profile easily. We charge a lead gen fee to each funeral home’s credit card every time an email inquiry is generated from our site.
Why did you apply to Race To Revenue? What are you hoping to get out of this experience? I firmly believe that the IDEA Center represents the most valuable resource at our disposal to transform Byond from a mere concept into a tangible reality. Given the dynamic nature of our industry and groundbreaking technology, the Race 2 Revenue program offers us a unique opportunity to refine our solution and align it precisely with the challenges we aim to address. Leveraging the wealth of expertise provided through this program will be instrumental in our success.
When is a time you failed forward? During my time in high school, I launched The Markham Economist, a school blog/magazine aimed at publishing student-written articles on current news and economic concepts. Our goal was to foster an early interest in economics and finance among younger high school students, as these topics were typically introduced later in their junior and senior years. The Markham Economist was envisioned as a platform to give students a head start and a chance to learn about the world. However, our initial efforts did not yield the expected results as we struggled to engage our target audience of younger students. Despite this setback, we refused to give up and instead pursued creative solutions. Recognizing the importance of connecting younger students with their more experienced counterparts, we devised a program that paired them together. This approach enabled the older students to enhance their leadership skills while imparting their expertise to the younger participants, who benefited from their guidance. The implementation of this program proved to be a resounding success. The Markham Economist thrives to this day, comprising students from various year groups with diverse interests. This experience taught us a valuable lesson that every failure presents an opportunity for growth and learning. In the business world, adaptability is key, as there is always a solution to every problem.
Where were you born? What is an interesting fact about your hometown? Lima, Perú. I had a blast growing up there during my entire childhood years. Peru basically has all four ecosystems: the ocean, the desert, the mountains, and the Amazon. I spent my holidays and free time out in nature, mainly camping, crafting random stuff, and doing outdoor sports.
Would you rather go back in time or be transported to the future? I would rather be transported to the future. I believe the current AI advances will change the world and our lives dramatically, and it would be awesome to see these changes take place.
Who is the fictional character you have the most in common with, and why? If I were to associate myself with a fictional character, I would align myself with Tony Stark, aka Iron Man. Like him, I embody a sense of adventure, a business-oriented mindset, and a sociable personality driven by a desire to make a lasting impact on the world.
Fun fact about you: I’ve traveled worldwide with my family. I have been to every continent and have been to approximately 55 countries. I most recently backpacked Central America by myself, starting in Panama and going all the way up to Mexico.
Lastly, what do you want to learn more about, relating to business development in general or your own company/venture specifically? I am eagerly anticipating the opportunity to explore the most effective strategies for partnering with funeral homes. The industry currently faces technological gaps and a certain level of skepticism, making the process intriguing and challenging.