Top 10 Accelerators for Early-Stage Startups in South America (2025)
As South America's startup ecosystem flourishes, 2025 brings tremendous opportunities for early-stage entrepreneurs. With a range of accelerators designed to support various sectors, these programs provide funding, mentorship, and networking resources necessary for startups to thrive. Below is a detailed overview of the Top 10 Accelerators for Early-Stage Startups in South America for 2025.
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1. 500 Startups LatAm
Description: One of the most active early-stage investment funds globally, 500 Startups has a strong presence in Latin America, with a regional hub in Mexico.
Program Focus: Early-stage startups across diverse sectors.
Investment: Offers $60,000 investment for eligible startups.
Program Duration: 16-week intensive program.
Mentorship: Provides access to on-site mentors and industry-specific expertise.
2. Startup Chile
Description: Recognized as a leading accelerator in Latin America, Startup Chile welcomes high-potential entrepreneurs from any nationality.
Program Focus: Early-stage startups across various sectors.
Funding: Pre-acceleration offers $12,000 USD with a potential follow-on of $8,000. Acceleration provides $30,000 USD with an additional potential $30,000.
Program Duration: 4 months.
Notable Alumni: Has supported over 1900 startups, achieving a combined valuation of $2.1 billion as of 2024.
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3. Founder Institute
Description: Considered the largest pre-seed startup accelerator globally, the Founder Institute has significant traction in Latin America.
Program Focus: Early-stage startups at the Idea stage, MVP stage, and early Company stage.
Program Duration: Approximately 4 months.
Reach: It has helped grow 5,000 businesses in 200 cities worldwide.
Mentorship: Offers structured guidance and mentorship.
4. Google for Startups Accelerator: Latino Founders
Description: This 10-week program emphasizes seed to series-A technology startups in Spanish-speaking Latin America, in partnership with Centraal.
Program Focus: Tech startups leveraging AI/ML and cloud services.
Investment: Equity-free support.
Program Duration: 10 weeks.
Benefits: Access to Google's extensive resources, network, and technological tools.
5. NXTP Labs
Description: Operating in Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Uruguay, NXTP Labs focuses on innovative technologies.
Program Focus: Startups specializing in AI, Blockchain, and Fintech sectors.
Investment: Funding opportunities, alongside access to a vast network.
Mentorship: Comprehensive mentorship and extensive resources.
Regional Reach: Active across multiple Latin American countries.
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6. Wayra (Telefónica)
Description: This early-stage startup accelerator and technological innovation center is designed by Telefónica.
Program Focus: Promotes entrepreneurship specifically within the Hispanic creator and firm communities.
Mentorship: Offers valuable guidance and mentorship.
Funding: Provides opportunities to receive financial backing.
Network: Grants access to Telefónica’s expansive network.
7. BoostLAB (BTG Pactual)
Description: A program designed for advanced-level startups with significant growth potential.
Program Focus: Tailors resources and connections for promising startups.
Connections: Access to BTG Pactual's extensive network, supplemented with mentoring from ACE partners and market executives.
Mentorship: Specialized mentoring by experienced professionals.
Location: Based in Brazil.
8. MassChallenge Mexico
Description: This zero-cost, zero-equity accelerator, located in Mexico, emphasizes supporting startups without taking equity stakes.
Focus: Acceleration of startups while facilitating funding efforts.
Selection Rate: Highly selective, accepting around 5% of applicants in 2020.
Impact: Has accelerated 167 startups, raising a total of $132 million by 2024.
9. Rockstart LATAM
Description: A dedicated accelerator program focused on supporting entrepreneurs in launching their ideas into successful businesses.
Program Focus: Entrepreneurs across varied sectors.
Resources: Offers tools, skills, and networks necessary for growth.
Mentorship: Provides specialized acceleration programs with robust mentoring.
Track Record: Established history of aiding entrepreneurs in securing funding and expanding market reach.
10. Fide - Fundación para la Incubación de Empresas
Description: Situated in Argentina, Fide emphasizes technology-based startups and renewable resources.
Program Focus: Startups focused on technology, renewable resources, and applied design.
Support: Offers training, networking, mentoring, and technical assistance.
Business Stage: Primarily supports businesses that already generate income.
Location: Based in Cordoba, Argentina.
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FAQ
Q: What is the investment amount offered by Startup Chile for early-stage startups?
A: Startup Chile offers different funding routes, including $12,000 for pre-acceleration and $30,000 for acceleration with potential additional follow-on funds. Learn more about Startup Chile.
Q: How long does the 500 Startups LatAm program last?
A: The 500 Startups LatAm program is a 16-week intensive accelerator designed for early-stage startups. Check out 500 Startups LatAm.
Q: What types of startups does the Google for Startups Accelerator: Latino Founders program focus on?
A: This accelerator targets seed to Series-A technology startups, particularly those leveraging AI/ML and cloud services. Discover the Google for Startups Accelerator.
Q: Which accelerator does not take equity from startups?
A: MassChallenge Mexico is a zero-cost, zero-equity accelerator that supports startups without taking any equity. Learn more about MassChallenge Mexico.
Q: What are the main focus areas of NXTP Labs?
A: NXTP Labs focuses on startups working on innovative technologies such as AI, Blockchain, and Fintech. Explore NXTP Labs.
Q: How many startups has Founder Institute helped grow?
A: Founder Institute has helped grow over 5,000 businesses in 200 cities worldwide, making it one of the largest pre-seed accelerators globally. Visit Founder Institute.
Q: Can you name a notable feature of Wayra's mentorship network?
A: Wayra provides access to Telefónica's extensive network and offers mentorship and guidance for Hispanic creators and firms. Learn more about Wayra.
Q: What kind of startups is BoostLAB focused on?
A: BoostLAB targets advanced-level startups with high growth potential, connecting them with BTG Pactual’s network and experienced market executives. Discover BoostLAB.
Q: What impact has MassChallenge Mexico had on startup funding?
A: MassChallenge Mexico has accelerated 167 startups that collectively raised $132 million as of 2024, showcasing its effectiveness in supporting fundraising efforts. Explore MassChallenge.
Q: What unique support does Fide - Fundación para la Incubación de Empresas provide?
A: Fide focuses on technology-based startups and renewable resources, offering training, networking, mentoring, and technical assistance to its participants. Learn more about Fide.
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.
