44 Dreams, Ways and Smiles: How a Dentist became a Harvard case and a Serial Endeavor Entrepreneur

Luis Alexandre Chicani set forth in a quest to find a way to escalate his work as a dentist while still at USP’s College of Dentistry. He couldn’t settle for something that depended only upon his two hands. Having identified a market opportunity, he transformed his office into DentalCorp, a dental care assistance company.

After almost facing bankruptcy right at the beginning, he expanded the company’s presence to 21 Brazilian cities and to Chile. He became a case study at Harvard, sold the company for BRL 25 million and founded two novel businesses with the aim of changing healthcare in Brazil: BenCorp and ClubeSaúde. “If a dentist who had everything to keep still in his office was successful endeavoring, other people can do it too,” he says.

“When you are born with an enterprising DNA, your profession matters little. Chicani is a proof of that.” Frederico Trajano, Magazine Luiza and YPOer CEO

“Chicani’s endowment to Endeavor validated our model of investing in people, not businesses. He is a relentless salesman and does so in a humble and congenial fashion.” Marília Rocca, Grupo Hinode CEO and ex-Director of Endeavor Brasil

“Being Chicani’s friend is easy. He values the construction of long-term relations and always tries to reconnect with and value his friends.” Gilberto Xandó, JBS Brasil and BenBoard CEO and a partner of Saúde da Gente

“When I realized my father wasn’t a superhero, I remember it kind of hurt. Until I understood that it is better to be real than to be a superhero. And my father is.” Luísa Chicani, Daughter

“Together, Alexandre and I founded Instituto Borboleta Azul to give back to society the many blessings we experienced in our path.” Nara Botelho Chicani, wife, psychologist and cofounder of Instituto Borboleta Azul.