In a major milestone for the company, VC4A has selected 10 rising women-led startups for the VC4A Venture Showcase LatAm – Women founder edition. This edition marks the first women-focused program created by the organization in Latin America.
After a thorough selection process, involving rigorous evaluation and assessment by the investor selection committee, these visionary entrepreneurs were hand-picked for their innovative solutions, strong leadership, and potential for growth. These startups demonstrated resilience and the ability to navigate challenges and stand out in a rapidly evolving ecosystem. They represent the next generation of high-potential ventures across the LatAm region who are well positioned for growth in 2024.
Empowering women entrepreneurs: Eye on Latin America
In 2022, startups founded by Latinas obtained less than 1% of the available venture capital. Lack of networks, knowledge, access to capital, and high-value markets further broaden these gaps. In an effort to turn the tide, VC4A launched the Venture Showcase – Women Founder Edition.
From 2017 to 2022, VC4A selected +100 startups as part of 8 Venture Showcases in Africa and Latin America, resulting in a series of deals totalling USD 800M. Our efforts have also been recognized globally. VC4A has received the ‘IFC ScaleX award‘ for supporting women-led startups and the World Bank’s ‘President’s Award for Excellence’.
Meet the 10 women-led startups making waves in Latin America
Without further ado, let us introduce you to the 2023-2024 cohort of the VC4A Venture Showcase Latam – Women founder edition:
Series A Track
Chattigo is an Omnichannel SaaS Platform that integrates, controls, and enhances customer communications.
A social enterprise that connects groups of unbanked smallholder farmers with the financing necessary to work their lands and sell their crops in direct markets.
Quipu works with SMEs to provide working capital loans through a supply chain financing system.
Pre-Series A Track
A digital learning platform that creates educational tools with XR+AI learning resources to Improve early childhood education.
Sofi is an AI-driven debt collection platform designed to revolutionize how businesses manage their receivables.
Seed Track
A platform that allows restaurants and stores to reduce their food waste. Instead of throwing away their surplus quality food, they can now sell it through Cirkula.
An Agro-Fintech that transforms access to formal financing for small agricultural producers.
KredFeed offers an automated receivables-based financing platform, enabling suppliers in the value chain to unlock their cash flow by turning their receivables into instant cash.
A platform that provides compliance and risk management in an automated, centralized and collaborative way, minimizing costs and saving time.
Pre-Seed Track
A biotech company that created non-toxic biocapsules to eliminate the use of chemicals in various industries, specifically in agriculture and the food industry, thereby safe for humans and the environment.
Celebrate with us: LatAm’s top 10 women-led startups of 2024
Join us in celebrating the achievements of these startups and supporting their journey to success. Follow their stories, engage with their work, and help us amplify their impact across the Latin America region.
It is such an exciting experience to be part of the journey that our 10 female founders will start with VC4A. This cohort includes biotech innovation, financial inclusion for SMEs and agriculture, business efficiency solutions, a revolution for digital education and super-engaged and diverse teams eager to make an impact on the region!
I would also like to thank the group of investors who are part of the program, having 50+ investors participating from all over the continent, with a good gender balance. With their support, we are confident to get the best investment options for our female founders.
– Alejandra Paniagua, Project Manager – LatAm, VC4A.
Thank you to our partners
VC4A would like to thank its partners, FMO and IFC for their support as Main Strategic Partners. They have been a centerpiece in the planning and execution of this program, supporting the outreach to applicants and by opening up their investor network and expertise, to deliver a powerful program.
We would also like to thank EAN University for their support as the Technical Residency Host. Their support is key for the kickoff of the program, which includes mentoring the pitching presentations and an onsite Demo Day.
Each partner will play an essential role in the next phase of the program, providing both technical and financial support. Their involvement reflects a deep commitment to supporting women-led startups across the LAC region.
What’s next for the 2023-2024 cohort?
Stay tuned for updates and insights from the 2023-2024 cohort as they begin their onsite residency in Bogota in partnership with the EAN University. We will continue to highlight the talent and potential of these women-led companies making giant strides in the Latin American startup ecosystem.
For more information about the participants, access to their Deal Book or general inquiries, please contact the Project Manager – LatAm, Alejandra Paniagua at Alejandra[at]vc4a[dot]com.
About VC4A
VC4A is an ecosystem builder that leverages its infrastructure, network, and expertise for the programs that contribute to the startup development in emerging markets. Since 2007, the organization has designed, structured, and implemented successful entrepreneurship programs on the continent. VC4A runs an online platform featuring the ecosystem’s largest database of startups in Africa and Latin America, connecting the entrepreneurs of these regions to resources, networks, and funding. Visit vc4a.com and latam.vc4a.com for more information.