While European, Latin American, and Caribbean regions have their growing VC investing ecosystems, the EU-LAC Digital Accelerator aims to establish the first-ever EU-LAC Investor Community.
This platform is dedicated to fostering cross-regional investments between Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean (LAC), driving innovation and economic growth through strategic collaboration.
As part of its mission to promote collaborations, investments, and expand opportunities between the LAC and European regions, the European Business Angel Network (EBAN) organised the first LATAM Investor Roadshow. Through this roadshow, the EU-LAC Digital Accelerator visited Peru and Mexico aiming to extend its influence and grow not only the EU-LAC Investor Community but also its network of companies, startups, corporates, and business support organizations that can benefit from participating in the digital accelerator.
First stop: LIMA Tech Week (November 5th – 7th)
Lima Tech Week 2024 is known to be the premier technology event in Peru, with the Peru Venture Capital Conference (PVCC) taking center stage. The EU-LAC Digital Accelerator, represented by Abel Fernández, EU Projects Directo at EBAN, was at the forefront, driving key conversations with investors and like-minded innovators. From November 4 to 10, entrepreneurs, investors, and industry experts converged in Lima to explore cutting-edge trends in tech innovation and engage in cross-border investment opportunities.
Insights from PVCC on Peru’s Emerging Venture Ecosystem
The launch of our LATAM Investor Roadshow began with a memorable seaside networking cocktail reception for speakers, hosted in collaboration with Salkantay Ventures and PECAP. This event provided an informal, engaging setting for meaningful connections among leading figures from the PVCC, setting a collaborative tone ahead of the conference’s main sessions.
During the main day of PVCC, Abel participated in insightful panels and discussions, enriching our understanding of Peru’s dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem. The day offered invaluable perspectives on both the opportunities and challenges within the landscape of venture capital and innovation in Peru. Here are some of the main insights shared personally by our colleague Abel:
- Government support and policy growth: Peru’s government is stepping up to support startups and SMEs with initiatives like Innovate Peru, which offers grants, training, and resources to drive innovation. While the momentum in government-backed support is encouraging, many investors noted that further regulatory reforms could enhance Peru’s appeal as a global investment destination.
- Strong community collaboration: The Peruvian entrepreneurial ecosystem thrives on collaboration, with entrepreneurs, investors, and accelerators joining forces to nurture new ventures. Events such as PVCC and regional startup meetups foster a tightly knit community that actively supports ecosystem growth, an essential factor in the success of emerging markets.
- Challenges in scaling and growth-stage funding: Although early-stage funding has become more accessible, Peru’s startup ecosystem still faces a gap in growth-stage financing. This lack of funding hampers scalability, underscoring the need for cross-border investment partnerships to help Peruvian startups expand into regional and international markets.
- Expanding interest in cross-border collaborations: There is strong enthusiasm for partnerships with international investors, particularly from Europe and North America. Both investors and founders are increasingly aware of the value that cross-border collaborations bring, not only in capital but also in strategic insights that can help Peruvian startups compete on a global scale.
- Growth in angel and venture capital activity: Peru’s angel and venture capital landscape is evolving, with a noticeable increase in interest from investors backing technology-driven ventures. This shift marks a maturing investor mindset, one more open to high-risk, high-reward opportunities that support innovation and market expansion.
Workshop Spotlight: Introducing the EU-LAC Digital Accelerator
In addition to our conference participation, we hosted a specialized workshop for angel investors, introducing the EU-LAC Digital Accelerator. This initiative explores new investment channels and highlights the concept of being an “invested investor”—one who not only contributes capital but actively supports innovation across Latin America and Europe.
During our stay in Lima, Abel attended the Breakfast for Investors with “The Board” addressed to early-stage investors. In the session, was also present our colleague Mosi Mosquera, Lead Investment Officer at IDB Lab.
This dynamic series of events highlights the growing importance of innovation, collaboration, and investment between Latin America and global stakeholders.
Our participation at PVCC underscored the promise of Peru’s venture capital landscape and reinforced our commitment to supporting entrepreneurial growth through cross-border partnerships, community engagement, and strategic investment.