Top 20 Incubators for Early-Stage Startups in South America in 2025
South America is witnessing a burgeoning startup ecosystem, with numerous incubators and accelerators providing necessary support to early-stage entrepreneurs. The region is home to a wide range of innovative and diverse programs that can help entrepreneurs shape their ventures. Below is a comprehensive list of the Top 20 Incubators for Early-Stage Startups in South America for 2025, detailing their focus areas, program lengths, funding, and more.
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1. 500 Global (Formerly 500 Startups)
Description: A global venture capital firm and accelerator, active in Latin America.
Focus: Diverse sectors, especially technology (SaaS and fintech).
Program Length: 16-week intensive programs.
Investment: Provides approximately $60,000 in funding to startups.
Network: Strong global network offering mentorship and scaling resources.
2. Start-Up Chile
Description: A government-funded seed accelerator based in Santiago, Chile, with a global reach.
Focus: Open to high-potential entrepreneurs worldwide.
Funding: Equity-free funding is provided.
Ecosystem: Vibrant ecosystem supporting over 2000 startups.
Impact: Recognized globally as a top accelerator, influencing similar programs.
3. ACE Startups
Description: Brazilian accelerator focusing on early-stage company support.
Focus: Various industries, particularly technology.
Support: Offers mentorship and resources for product development, sales, and marketing.
Stage: Assists in transforming ideas into working prototypes.
Benefits: Provides physical office spaces for startups.
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4. Google for Startups Accelerator
Description: Offers specialized programs for Latin American startups, especially in AI/ML.
Focus: Technology with programs tailored to AI/ML and cloud services.
Program Length: 10–12 weeks.
Support: Access to Google’s expertise, network, and technologies.
Investment: The program is equity-free.
5. Founder Institute
Description: Global pre-seed startup accelerator with a presence in South America.
Focus: Early-stage startups emphasizing structure and mentorship.
Program: Structured program to help refine business ideas.
Network: Access to a global network of mentors and investors.
Support: Focused on business model development for startups.
6. Mass Challenge
Description: A global accelerator with a presence in Mexico, supporting early-stage startups.
Focus: Early-stage ventures across various sectors.
Selectivity: Highly selective, with an acceptance rate of around 5%.
Funding: Zero-cost program with no equity taken.
Track Record: Accelerated 167 startups raising $132 million since 2016.
7. Rockstart Colombia
Description: A program focused on supporting Colombian startups.
Focus: Assistance in product development, sales, and marketing efforts.
Program: Offers support for developing minimal viable products.
Specialization: Some programs tailored to specific industries.
8. Startup Farm
Description: Brazilian startup accelerator providing various industry support.
Focus: Assists startups across different stages and sectors.
Support: Resources aimed at initiating sales and marketing efforts.
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9. Startup Mexico
Description: Mexico's largest accelerator, supporting various industries.
Focus: Provides guidance to startups in different sectors.
Program Length: 6-month incubator and a 10-month accelerator.
Track Record: Has accelerated over 100 startups.
10. Wayra
Description: The startup accelerator of Telefónica, promoting tech initiatives.
Focus: Bridging entrepreneurial technology with Telefónica’s customer base.
Locations: Operates in Brazil, Peru, Venezuela, and more countries.
Network: Provides access to a substantial customer network.
11. Antler Brazil
Description: A global early-stage venture capital firm that builds startups.
Focus: Diverse sectors with a keen interest in tech innovation.
Support: Fosters co-founding teams and gives mentorship.
Investment: Provides initial funding to promising startups.
12. NXTP Labs
Description: An incubator based in Buenos Aires focusing on fintech, AI, and blockchain.
Focus: Tailored specifically to tech-driven ventures.
Support: Provides mentorship, funding, and access to a community of investors.
Track Record: Has successfully launched numerous startups in various sectors.
13. Cubo Itaú
Description: An incubator based in São Paulo aimed at nurturing the local startup ecosystem.
Focus: Supports innovative fintechs and other tech-driven companies.
Network: Extensive connections with corporates, investors, and mentors.
Resources: Offers startup-friendly facilities and corporate partnerships.
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14. BootUp360
Description: A business incubation program focused on innovative startups.
Focus: Startups across diverse sectors including tech and social enterprises.
Support: Offers resources such as mentorship and business development services.
Track Record: Aims to build sustainable and scalable business models.
15. The Yield Lab Latin America
Description: A unique incubator focused on agricultural technology startups.
Focus: Supports innovations within agritech and food sustainability.
Support: Provides funding and mentorship to scale up agritech solutions.
Network: Collaboration with agricultural partners and research institutions.
16. The Bakery - Sao Paulo
Description: An incubator fostering innovation and collaboration among startups.
Focus: Assists various sectors, emphasizing digital transformations.
Support: Provides strategic resources and mentorship opportunities.
Networking: Hosts events to connect entrepreneurs with investors.
17. InovAtiva
Description: A Brazilian accelerator focusing on innovative technologies.
Focus: Supports startups in reaching product-market fit.
Support: Offers guidance, mentoring, and access to funding sources.
Community: Engages with a strong network of regional investors and experts.
18. Seedstars
Description: Global initiative fostering tech startups in emerging markets.
Focus: Empowers startups through seed funding and mentorship programs.
Competition: Holds an annual competition for startups in South America.
Networking: Extensive connections with investors and industry leaders.
19. C40 Cities Finance Facility
Description: Supports startups focused on sustainable urban development.
Focus: Investing in projects that aim for urban sustainability and climate resilience.
Support: Funds and mentors startups tackling urban challenges.
Impact: Helps cities meet climate goals while promoting economic growth.
20. Techstars
Description: A global startup accelerator with programs across South America.
Focus: Diverse sectors, providing mentorship and capital.
Program Length: Typically lasts 3 months with intensive support.
Investment: Offers up to $120,000 in funding per startup.
Network: Extensive connections to global investors and mentors.
Unquestionably, the landscape of incubators and accelerators is dynamic, and these programs will continue to evolve in response to the needs of emerging startups in South America.
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FAQ
Q: What is 500 Global?
A: 500 Global is a venture capital firm and accelerator known for its intensive programs and support for early-stage tech startups in South America. Learn more about 500 Global.
Q: How does Start-Up Chile support entrepreneurs?
A: Start-Up Chile is a government-funded accelerator that provides equity-free funding and access to a vibrant startup ecosystem for high-potential entrepreneurs worldwide. Discover Start-Up Chile.
Q: What services does ACE Startups offer?
A: ACE Startups offers mentorship, resources for product development, and the provision of office space to help Brazilian startups turn ideas into viable products. Learn more about ACE Startups.
Q: What unique programs does Google for Startups Accelerator provide?
A: Google for Startups Accelerator focuses on tech startups, particularly in AI and machine learning, offering access to Google's advanced technologies and expertise. Find out more about Google for Startups Accelerator.
Q: What does Founder Institute offer for early-stage startups?
A: Founder Institute provides a structured program for early-stage startups that includes mentorship, resources for business model development, and access to a global network of investors. Learn more about Founder Institute.
Q: How selective is Mass Challenge?
A: Mass Challenge is highly selective, accepting only about 5% of applicants, and it operates with a zero-cost, zero-equity funding model. Discover more about Mass Challenge.
Q: What types of startups does Rockstart Colombia support?
A: Rockstart Colombia focuses on assisting startups in product development, sales, and marketing, tailored to local market needs. Learn more about Rockstart Colombia.
Q: What industry focus does Startup Farm have?
A: Startup Farm supports startups across various industries in Brazil, providing essential resources to kick-start their sales and marketing efforts. Explore Startup Farm.
Q: What is the significance of Startup Mexico?
A: Startup Mexico is the largest accelerator in Mexico, offering comprehensive incubator and accelerator programs that have successfully launched over 100 startups. Learn more about Startup Mexico.
Q: What is special about Wayra's accelerator programs?
A: Wayra, the startup accelerator of Telefónica, connects entrepreneurs with technology solutions that benefit its customers across multiple South American locations. Discover Wayra.
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.
