Top 15 Incubators for Early-Stage Startups in South America in 2025
The startup ecosystem across South America is witnessing remarkable growth, driven by innovative ideas, technological advancements, and robust support systems. In 2025, a plethora of incubators and accelerators are making significant contributions to nurturing early-stage startups across the continent. Here’s a detailed look at the Top 15 incubators for early-stage startups in South America for 2025, complete with essential details about each incubator.
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1. Start-Up Chile
Location: Santiago, Chile
Description: A government-funded accelerator celebrated for its equity-free funding model, recognized as one of Latin America's largest startup incubators.
Funding: Provides US$12k for pre-acceleration programs and US$30k for acceleration. Additional funding available for successful startups.
Impact: Incubated over 2,000 startups with a collective valuation exceeding $2.1 billion and receives 200-250 startup applications annually.
Programs Offered: 4-month pre-acceleration and acceleration programs for early to seed-stage startups.
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2. Wayra
Location: Various across Latin America (Brazil, Peru, Venezuela)
Description: The startup accelerator arm of Telefónica aimed at bridging technology from entrepreneurs to its customers.
Mentorship: Offers extensive mentorship and assistance in refining business strategies.
Funding Opportunities: Entrepreneurs have access to potential funding through Telefónica’s networks.
Network: Leverages Telefónica’s vast customer and partner ecosystem to facilitate growth.
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3. 500 Startups LatAm
Location: Mexico City, Mexico
Description: Active early-stage investment fund with a regional focus on nurturing diverse industries.
Programs: Conducts two 16-week intensive programs annually, each supporting 10 startups.
Funding: Companies in the program receive an investment of $60,000 along with onboarding support.
Support: Provides direct mentorship and strategies tailored to attract clients.
4. NXTP Labs
Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina (with reach in Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Uruguay)
Description: A tech-driven incubator focusing on AI, blockchain, and fintech innovations.
Focus: Primarily targets innovative technology-driven startups aiming for substantial impact.
Network Access: Acts as an entry point into Latin America's burgeoning innovation landscape.
Support Structure: Offers mentorship, business development support, and access to further capital.
5. Founder Institute
Location: 25 cities across 9 Latin American countries
Description: A global pre-seed startup accelerator dedicated to early-stage ventures.
Investment History: Over 5,000 startups globally, with more than 400 in Latin America that collectively raised US$20 million in equity.
Curriculum Focus: Provides robust pre-seed mentorship programs aimed specifically at first-time founders.
Global Influence: Operates across 200+ cities in 65 countries, providing a vast network of resources.
6. Google for Startups Accelerator Brazil
Location: Sao Paulo, Brazil
Description: A Google-supported accelerator that helps a diverse range of startups.
Focus: Aims to bolster the local startup ecosystem in Brazil.
Resources Provided: Offers mentorship and technical support to accelerate growth and scalability.
Network Collaboration: Connects startups with Google’s extensive resources and expertise.
7. ACE Startups
Location: Part of the broader Latin American startup ecosystem
Description: A startup accelerator dedicated to helping early-stage ventures succeed.
Support Offered: Expertise in product development, sales, and marketing to refine business propositions.
Funding Opportunities: Offers avenues for funding to select startups in their program.
Mentorship: Notable mentorship initiatives aimed at pushing founders towards success.
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8. BootUp360 - Business Incubation Program
Location: South America
Description: A global business incubation platform that integrates mentorship with operational support.
Support Features: Provides mentorship, funding, office space, and networking opportunities.
Benefits: Focuses on completing essential business functions to ensure growth and sustainability.
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9. Startup Mexico
Location: Mexico
Description: A prominent program focused on accelerating entrepreneurship through various initiatives.
Services Offered: Provides pre-incubation, incubation, and acceleration services tailored to startups.
Niche Focus: Operates as an industry-agnostic incubator, supporting diverse sectors.
Network Access: Connects startups with vital resources, mentoring, and potential investors.
10. The Yield Lab Latin America
Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Description: An incubator specifically targeting the agriculture sector for innovation and growth.
Investment Focus: Provides tailored investment opportunities for agri-tech startups.
Support Offered: Combines expertise in agriculture with business mentorship.
11. Cubo Itaú
Location: São Paulo, Brazil
Description: An innovation hub for startups with strategic partnerships to enhance growth.
Network Access: Collaborates with large institutions to provide startups with access to markets.
Investment Opportunities: Offers direct investment opportunities and workshops for enhancing business skills.
Community Support: Strong community of startups, mentors, and corporate partners.
12. Harvard Innovation Labs
Location: Multiple locations in Brazil
Description: Supports global startups rooted in academic innovation and research-based ventures.
Programs Offered: Provides access to mentorship, funding, and extensive resources aimed at pioneering ideas.
Focus: Ideal for founders from academic backgrounds looking to commercialize innovations.
Networking Opportunities: Connections to notable industry leaders and alumni networks.
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13. Karma Ventures
Location: Based in Brazil and Central America
Description: Focuses on pre-seed and seed-stage investments, with a strong tech orientation.
Investment Model: Fosters long-term partnerships with founders to build sustainable startups.
Support Variety: Offers operational support to help navigate the early challenges of startup life.
Tech Focus: Emphasizes technology-driven solutions across various sectors.
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14. Plug and Play Tech Center
Location: São Paulo, Brazil
Description: As part of the global Plug and Play network, this center provides critical resources for startups.
Focus Areas: Nurtures startups in fintech, health tech, and other emerging industries.
Investment Opportunities: Offers investment programs and networking events to bolster startup growth.
Global Reach: Provides access to a worldwide network, expanding growth potential for local startups.
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15. Box180
Location: São Paulo, Brazil
Description: An incubator aimed at early-stage tech startups with promising business models.
Resource Offering: Provides technical resources, mentorship, and assistance in product-market fit.
Network Boost: Connects entrepreneurs with a unique network of industry-specific experts.
Investment Support: Offers assistance in securing funding and investment for viable startups.
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This collection highlights the dynamic incubator landscape of South America, showcasing a variety of options for early-stage startups looking to thrive in today’s innovative economy.
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FAQ
Q: What is Start-Up Chile?
A: Start-Up Chile is a government-funded accelerator program located in Santiago, Chile, known for its equity-free funding model. It supports early-stage to seed startups and offers up to $30,000 for acceleration programs. Learn more about Start-Up Chile.
Q: What locations does Wayra operate in South America?
A: Wayra operates in multiple countries across Latin America, including Brazil, Peru, and Venezuela. It is the startup accelerator arm of Telefónica, focusing on bringing technology from entrepreneurs closer to its customer base. Discover Wayra.
Q: What does 500 Startups LatAm offer to early-stage companies?
A: 500 Startups LatAm is an active investment fund based in Mexico City, providing a $60,000 investment and running two annual 16-week intensive programs for startup growth and mentorship. Explore 500 Startups LatAm.
Q: Where is NXTP Labs located, and what is its focus?
A: NXTP Labs is primarily located in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and has a tech-driven focus on AI, blockchain, and fintech, supporting innovative technologies and strong teams with clear visions. Learn more about NXTP Labs.
Q: What kind of startups does the Founder Institute target?
A: The Founder Institute is a global pre-seed accelerator with a focus on pre-seed startups, operating in 25 cities across 9 countries in Latin America, having invested in over 400 startups in the region. Discover the Founder Institute.
Q: What is the Google for Startups Accelerator Brazil?
A: Google for Startups Accelerator Brazil is based in Sao Paulo and supports startups across various industries, providing mentorship and assisting local ecosystem development. Explore Google for Startups Accelerator.
Q: What services does ACE Startups provide?
A: ACE Startups is a startup accelerator that offers support for product development, sales, marketing, and funding opportunities tailored to entrepreneurs in Latin America. Visit ACE Startups.
Q: What are the key features of the BootUp360 Business Incubation Program?
A: BootUp360 is a global business incubation platform offering integrated mentorship, funding opportunities, office space, and networking support for entrepreneurs in South America.
Q: What types of services does Startup Mexico offer to entrepreneurs?
A: Startup Mexico focuses on boosting entrepreneurship by connecting startups with resources, mentorship, and investors, offering pre-incubation, incubation, and acceleration services. Learn more about Startup Mexico.
Q: What sector does The Yield Lab Latin America focus on?
A: The Yield Lab Latin America is an incubator focused on the agriculture sector, based in Buenos Aires, Argentina, offering investment opportunities for agriculture-related startups. Discover The Yield Lab.
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.
