October 2025

When Tesoro AI Venture Studio’s Founder, Darius Gant, took the stage at the Go Global Conference 2025 in Atlanta, his message resonated across the room. The future of growth, he explained, belongs to those who can blend access to capital with access to talent and technology.

Across two powerful sessions, one focused on Access to Capital – Funding Without Borders and the other on Technology – AI, Crypto & Humanoids, Darius shared a vision that connects financial strategy, human potential, and the intelligent use of AI.

Capital Is Leverage, But So Is AI

In the investment panel, Darius redefined the way entrepreneurs should think about funding. Investors, he said, are no longer focused solely on what you build. They are just as interested in how efficiently you build it.

“AI is not just a cost saver; it’s a growth accelerator,” Darius explained. “Every investor wants to know how you’ve already reduced their risk. AI is one of the most powerful ways to answer that question.”

He encouraged founders to weave their AI strategy directly into their fundraising story. Showing that AI drives efficiency, productivity, and smarter decision-making makes a company far more attractive to investors.

Darius also invited entrepreneurs to think strategically when seeking global investors. He reminded the audience that capital should come with more than funding it should come with access. “If most of your customers are in other countries, work with investors who can open doors there,” he advised. “The right capital partner should help you scale, not just spend.”

Derisking Investment Through People and Structure

Throughout the discussion, Darius emphasized that access to capital and access to talent go hand in hand. In his experience, the startups that succeed are the ones that invest in human infrastructure early.

By building distributed teams of AI engineers and developers across Latin America, companies can achieve scale without bloated costs. “When you combine efficient AI infrastructure with nearshore talent, you’re not just building faster,” he said. “You’re creating stronger business margins.”

This combination of technology and human capability gives startups the structural stability investors look for when deciding where to allocate capital.

Turning AI From Buzzword to Business Discipline

During the Technology session, Darius reflected on his journey from investor to founder and the lessons learned along the way. He recalled how, in 2016, he began investing in software companies and noticed early signs that AI would soon move beyond research labs into everyday business operations.

“I realized early on that AI wasn’t just another trend,” he said. “It was going to change how every company operates.”

At Tesoro AI Venture Studio, Darius now oversees five portfolio companies that focus on different areas of the AI ecosystem, including automation, infrastructure, and talent development. One of the standout initiatives he discussed was Quantum Academy, an education platform designed to prepare young professionals for an AI-driven economy.

“We’re teaching people not just how to use AI, but how to integrate it into real business applications,” Darius shared. “The goal is to make every graduate AI-native from day one.”

AI as the Great Equalizer

One of Darius’s most compelling insights was his belief that AI can be the most inclusive technological revolution in history. Drawing from the book The Fourth Industrial Revolution, he explained that AI offers an unprecedented opportunity for participation and wealth creation.

“In previous industrial revolutions, only those with access to capital or power could participate,” he said. “This time, the door is open. AI is still new enough that anyone willing to learn can take part.”

He urged the audience to take advantage of this open window of opportunity. “Don’t wait for someone to define the rules,” he said. “Right now, the field is open for everyone. Once the gates close, entering will be much harder.”

A Practical Starting Point for Businesses

For small and midsize companies curious about adopting AI, Darius’s advice was refreshingly simple: start with the tools you already use.

He encouraged business owners to explore AI features within familiar platforms like their CRM, accounting software, or logistics systems. “You don’t need a data science degree to begin,” he said. “Look for AI tools that solve one real problem in your business. Start small, learn fast, and build from there.”

He also reminded the audience to be mindful of data privacy. Cloud-based AI tools can be incredibly powerful, but understanding how and where your data is stored is key. “If you’re dealing with sensitive or regulated data, consider local AI models that run internally,” he advised. “You can still harness the power of AI while keeping your information secure.”

Blockchain, Creativity, and the Next Wave

Reflecting on his own entrepreneurial journey, Darius spoke about his early exploration of blockchain and its parallels with AI. Both technologies, he noted, began as experimental ideas and are now transforming industries.

He believes that the intersection of AI and blockchain will unlock new ways for creators and entrepreneurs to own their work and participate in global markets. “We’re entering a new economy of digital creativity,” he said, “and technologies like AI and blockchain will make it more inclusive than ever.”

Closing Reflections: The Power of Leverage

Across both panels, Darius returned to one central idea: leverage.

Access to capital is leverage.

Access to AI is leverage.

Access to global talent is leverage.

When combined, they create the ultimate formula for sustainable growth.

“The founders who win in this era won’t necessarily be the ones who raise the most money,” Darius concluded. “They’ll be the ones who know how to make every dollar, every engineer, and every line of code work together efficiently. That’s the future of business.”

Sources

• Gant, D. (2025, October 4). Access to Capital Panel. Go Global Conference, Atlanta.
• Gant, D. (2025, October 4). Artificial Intelligence in Business Panel. Go Global Conference, Atlanta.
• Go Global Conference. (2025). Official Website. Retrieved from https://goglobalconference.com