How global tech firms and investors are changing Latin America’s startup ecosystem

TechCrunch recently reported on a growing number of international investors and tech firms becoming involved in Latin America’s tech revolution. According to the head of editorial content for the Latin American Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (LAVCA), Julie Ruvolo, here are some of the biggest foreign investments or expansions into Latin America since 2013.

  • Andreessen Horowitz made its first investment in Latin America in Colombian delivery service, Rappi, alongside Sequoia Capital, DST Global and others in 2016. Sequoia Capital also followed on with a second investment in Rappi the following year.
  • Sequoia Capital invested in Nubank in 2014, its first investment in Brazil. Nubank’s next four rounds were also led by foreign venture capital firms, namely Tiger Global, Founders Fund, Redpoint Ventures, and DST Global – in order.
  • Accel Partners invested twice in Chilean grocery delivery startup Cornershop.
  • Didi Chuxing acquired Brazil’s 99 at a US$1B valuation.
  • Amazon launched Amazon Echo in Latin America and quadrupled its investment in logistics in Brazil.
  • Mexico and Brazil are among the top three markets for Google and Facebook (including Messenger, Instagram, and Whatsapp).

Investors in the US and China are catching wind of Latin America’s competitive advantage and gearing up to get involved in the region.

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