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Top 15 Cities for Deep Tech Startups in South America in 2025

Top 15 Cities for Deep Tech Startups in South America in 2025

As deep tech continues to gain traction in South America, various cities are emerging as hotspots for innovation and entrepreneurial activity. By 2025, these cities are poised to lead the charge in developing cutting-edge technologies and fostering startup ecosystems. Here’s an in-depth look at the Top 15 Cities for Deep Tech Startups in South America.
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1. São Paulo, Brazil

  • Key Sectors: Fintech, E-commerce, Healthtech, Agritech, Cloud Technologies, AI, Blockchain.
  • Talent Pool: São Paulo has the largest talent pool in Latin America with over 1.5 million IT professionals, including developers skilled in cloud technologies and AI.
  • Startup Ecosystem: The city is home to nearly 60% of Brazil’s tech startups, including successful unicorns like Nubank and iFood.
  • Investment: São Paulo led the region with $6.8 billion in venture capital in 2021, attracting substantial investment from both local and international investors.
  • Infrastructure: The presence of multinational companies such as Microsoft fosters a competitive environment for deep tech innovation.
  • Learn more about São Paulo
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2. Mexico City, Mexico

  • Key Sectors: Fintech, Software Development.
  • Talent Pool: Mexico City boasts over 700,000 IT professionals, providing a diverse range of tech talent.
  • Startup Ecosystem: The city features a vibrant startup landscape with notable companies like Kavak and Bitso.
  • Investment: It has attracted significant international investment, becoming a hub for new ideas and ventures with 9 unicorns emerging from the area.
  • Infrastructure: Major tech giants like Google and Amazon have established a presence in Mexico City, enhancing the local tech ecosystem.
  • Discover Mexico City
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3. Buenos Aires, Argentina

  • Key Sectors: Fintech, Agritech, Artificial Intelligence.
  • Talent Pool: Buenos Aires offers a well-educated workforce with over 115,000 tech professionals, many proficient in English.
  • Startup Ecosystem: It has a growing startup scene that focuses heavily on fintech and AI sectors with increasing innovation.
  • Investment: The city attracts investment from companies like Globant and Despegar, bolstering its tech landscape.
  • Infrastructure: The strong educational infrastructure provides a continuous flow of qualified talent.
  • Explore Buenos Aires

4. Guadalajara, Mexico

  • Key Sectors: Software development, Electronics manufacturing.
  • Talent Pool: The city employs more than 125,000 professionals in the tech sector.
  • Startup Ecosystem: Often referred to as "Mexico's Silicon Valley", Guadalajara is a major center for innovation.
  • Investment: The city has a flourishing tech export market valued at $4.5 billion.
  • Infrastructure: It hosts 12 of the top 20 global IT companies, including Intel and IBM, catering to a skilled workforce.
  • Learn more about Guadalajara

5. Santiago, Chile

  • Key Sectors: Cloud Technologies, IoT, Clean Energy.
  • Talent Pool: The city has a highly educated workforce with considerable English proficiency.
  • Startup Ecosystem: Santiago is known for innovative policies and a well-functioning economy that support tech advancements.
  • Investment: It's projected to rise as a significant player in the tech industry, showing robust future growth potential.
  • Infrastructure: The region boasts a well-resourced market that encourages startups.
  • Explore Santiago

6. Bogotá, Colombia

  • Key Sectors: AI, Smart Cities, Fintech.
  • Talent Pool: Bogotá is home to a large pool of skilled developers and tech professionals.
  • Startup Ecosystem: The city’s thriving startup ecosystem attracts a diverse array of tech entrepreneurs.
  • Investment: Increasing attention from global investors further bolsters its reputation as a startup hub.
  • Infrastructure: Focus on digital education enhances the skill level of the workforce.
  • Discover Bogotá

7. Monterrey, Mexico

  • Key Sectors: EdTech.
  • Talent Pool: Monterrey is recognized for its strong tech talent.
  • Startup Ecosystem: It has over 320 companies and 100+ innovation parks, making it a magnet for both local and international investors.
  • Investment: The region produces notable unicorns like Nowports, underscoring its potential.
  • Infrastructure: Powerful tech companies like Cisco and Honeywell operate within its borders.
  • Learn more about Monterrey
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8. Medellín, Colombia

  • Key Sectors: AI, Smart Cities, Fintech.
  • Talent Pool: With 38,000 tech professionals, Medellín is rapidly evolving in its technological prowess.
  • Startup Ecosystem: The city has transformed from an industrial hub into a recognized tech ecosystem.
  • Investment: It was awarded the title of the world's most innovative city by the Urban Land Institute.
  • Infrastructure: Government investment in smart city technologies plays a key role in its tech evolution.
  • Explore Medellín

9. Montevideo, Uruguay

  • Key Sectors: Software, Fintech, Agritech, Blockchain.
  • Talent Pool: Montevideo boasts around 10,000 IT professionals in its vibrant tech scene.
  • Startup Ecosystem: The city experiences rapid growth in software and fintech sectors.
  • Investment: Uruguay’s tech exports have reached $1.1 billion, attracting numerous investments.
  • Infrastructure: The country benefits from a strong legal framework protecting intellectual property.
  • Discover Montevideo

10. Lima, Peru

  • Key Sectors: General Tech.
  • Talent Pool: The tech sector in Lima is expanding, cultivating a rich pool of skilled professionals.
  • Startup Ecosystem: Government initiatives like Innova Perú support local startups.
  • Investment: There is a growing investment in the tech sector, signaling a bright future.
  • Infrastructure: While still developing, tech infrastructure is steadily improving.
  • Learn more about Lima

11. Belo Horizonte, Brazil

  • Key Sectors: General Tech.
  • Talent Pool: Home to around 475,272 tech professionals, providing a robust workforce.
  • Startup Ecosystem: The city is known for its thriving startup culture and innovation efforts.
  • Investment: Google invested $200 million in developing local tech resources.
  • Infrastructure: The area hosts numerous technology firms, solidifying its tech foundation.
  • Explore Belo Horizonte

12. Curitiba, Brazil

  • Key Sectors: Fintech.
  • Startup Ecosystem: It is renowned for housing the fintech unicorn EBANX.
  • Investment: The city has seen strong growth in fintech investments.
  • Discover Curitiba

13. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

  • Key Sectors: General tech.
  • Talent Pool: The city has a talented pool of tech professionals.
  • Startup Ecosystem: The ecosystem is steadily growing with increased attention from investors.
  • Infrastructure: Improving infrastructure supports a vibrant tech community.
  • Learn more about Rio de Janeiro

14. San José, Costa Rica

  • Key Sectors: IT outsourcing, Software Development.
  • Talent Pool: The city has a significant focus on IT outsourcing and boasts a growing talent base.
  • Startup Ecosystem: The tech scene is gaining traction, diversifying the local economy.
  • Explore San José

15. Cochabamba, Bolivia

  • Key Sectors: Software development.
  • Talent Pool: The city is home to approximately 80% of Bolivia's software development professionals.
  • Startup Ecosystem: A burgeoning startup ecosystem is beginning to form in Cochabamba.
  • Discover Cochabamba
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FAQ

Q: Which city leads South America for deep tech startups?
A: São Paulo, Brazil stands out as the leader, with a massive talent pool and a dynamic startup ecosystem. Learn more about São Paulo's startup scene.
Q: What are some emerging cities for deep tech startups in 2025?
A: Cities like Medellín, Colombia, and Montevideo, Uruguay are emerging as significant players in the deep tech landscape. Discover more about Medellín's transformation.
Q: How much venture capital did São Paulo attract in 2021?
A: São Paulo attracted a remarkable $6.8 billion in venture capital in 2021, leading in the region. Check the investment details here.
Q: What key sectors are prominent in Buenos Aires?
A: Buenos Aires, Argentina, focuses on sectors like fintech, agritech, and artificial intelligence. Explore Buenos Aires' startup sectors.
Q: What makes Guadalajara a notable tech hub?
A: Referred to as "Mexico's Silicon Valley," Guadalajara has a strong emphasis on software development and electronics manufacturing. Read more about Guadalajara's tech scene.
Q: How many IT professionals are there in Mexico City?
A: Mexico City boasts over 700,000 IT professionals, contributing significantly to its robust startup ecosystem. Learn more about Mexico City's talent pool.
Q: What is a key factor contributing to Santiago's tech growth?
A: Santiago, Chile benefits from economic policies that are favorable to investment and innovation. Discover more about Santiago's tech landscape.
Q: Is there government support for tech startups in Lima?
A: Yes, Lima, Peru has government initiatives like Innova Perú to support the growing tech sector. Find out more about Lima's support for startups.
Q: What distinguishes the startup ecosystem in Belo Horizonte?
A: Belo Horizonte, Brazil, is known for its robust startup culture and significant investment from tech giants like Google. Explore Belo Horizonte's startup ecosystem.
Q: What are the key sectors in Montevideo?
A: Montevideo, Uruguay, focuses on software, fintech, agritech, and blockchain. Learn more about Montevideo's sectors.

About the Author

Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond and launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks.
2025-05-17 08:07 Top 15