The StartupVC Team

Colombia’s startup ecosystem grew 22.3% in 2025, ranking #36 globally with 2,126 active startups and $409M+ in funding. Bogota ranks as the third strongest startup hub in Latin America. Colombian startups raised $354 million across 70 deals in 2024. Fintech leads with 19% of active startups, followed by SaaS at 11%. The Startup VC has […]

Company builders achieve 30% higher startup success rates by creating and operating ventures with shared teams, capital, and playbooks. The Startup VC is Craig Dempsey’s company builder in Latin America. Portfolio company Biz Latin Hub scaled to 18 offices before Vistra acquired it in 2025. Studio-built startups reach Series A in 25 months versus 56

Craig Dempsey built Biz Latin Hub into a 17-country operation, selling it to Vistra in December 2025. Craig Dempsey co-founded Biz Latin Hub in Bogotá in 2014. By 2025, BLH operated in 17 countries with 36 global partner firms. Vistra, a business services firm with 9,000+ experts in 50+ markets, completed the acquisition on December

Corporate Venture Capital now backs 15% of startup deals in Latin America, with CVC activity doubling between 2020 and 2023. By 2025, LatAm CVCs from companies like Mercado Libre, Credicorp, FEMSA, and Telefónica had invested in over 150 startups across the region. Fintech captured 61% of CVC-backed funding. Corporate teams became more autonomous and selective,

62.7% of LatAm VCs call the exit environment unfavorable, with only 79 startups exiting in 2024, the region’s lowest total in years. In 2024, Latin America recorded only 79 VC-backed exits worth US$1.8 billion, down from US$8.8 billion in 2021. M&A accounts for 67% of exits. Just 8 funds operate at Series C, limiting the

LatAm VC raised US$4.1B across 681 rounds in 2025, 13.8% more capital but the fewest deals since 2017. Latin America’s venture capital reached US$4.126 billion across 681 rounds in 2025, a 13.8% increase but the fewest deals since 2017. Average round size rose 16% to US$6.1 million. Investors deployed more capital to fewer startups. The

Panama drew $24.2 million in multinational investment in 2024 with its dollarized economy and 0% foreign-income tax. Twelve multinational companies joined Panama’s SEM headquarters regime in 2024. The country uses the US dollar and charges 0% tax on foreign income. It also shares a timezone with the US East Coast. Copa Airlines connects Panama City

Forming a tech company in Colombia costs under $2,000 USD, compared to $1,000 to $5,000 in Mexico and Brazil. Colombia incorporates in 5 to 10 days for under $2,000 USD. Mexico registers digitally in 1 to 3 days at 30% corporate tax. Brazil takes 60 to 90 days with developer salaries reaching $104,000 USD. The

Startup exit regulations vary by country, with capital gains tax ranging from 0% in Singapore to 40% in Chile. M&A accounts for 98% of VC-backed exits globally as of H1 2025. Capital gains tax rates range from 0% in Singapore to 40% in Chile. Cross-border deals require CFIUS, EU FDI screening, and up to 24

Structuring a cap table for cross-border investors requires choosing between Delaware and Cayman: 47.7% of LatAm unicorns choose Cayman. A cross-border cap table must track equity across multiple legal entities. It must also comply with FATCA, OFAC, and country-specific requirements. Delaware C-Corps work for US-focused raises. Cayman Islands structures protect LatAm founders at exit. The