Top 20 Accelerators for Early-Stage Startups in South America 2025: A Comprehensive Guide
As 2025 shapes up, South America continues to foster a vibrant startup ecosystem, attracting both local and international investment. With an increasing number of accelerators focused on nurturing early-stage startups, this landscape is brimming with opportunities for innovation and growth. Below is a curated list of the Top 20 Accelerators for Early-Stage Startups in South America, complete with details about their programs, investment opportunities, and links to their official websites.
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1. 500 Startups LatAm
Description: One of the most active early-stage investment funds globally with a strong presence in Latin America, particularly through its hub in Mexico.
Investment: Offers a 16-week intensive program with a $60,000 investment for eligible startups.
Focus: Early-stage startups with a creative environment and on-site mentorship.
Network: Global network of mentors and investors.
Location: Based in Mexico, focusing on Latin American startups.
2. ACE Startups
Description: The largest startup accelerator in Brazil, known for its comprehensive support.
Investment: Functions more as an early-stage investment fund alongside its acceleration program.
Mentorship: Features a network of over 250 mentors.
Startup Database: Analyzed a database of over 20,000 startups over the past 10 years.
Track Record: Has accelerated over 300 startups and invested in 119.
3. Founder Institute
Description: A global pre-seed startup accelerator with extensive reach in Latin America.
Investment: Helped raise over $20 million in equity for 400+ startups since 2012.
Program: Offers four-month programs designed for early-stage startups.
Global Reach: Invested in 5,000+ startups worldwide.
Network: A broad global network comprising mentors and investors.
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4. Google for Startups Accelerator
Description: Provides access to Google’s resources and technologies, focusing on AI/ML and cloud services.
Program: A 10-week equity-free program tailored for Seed to Series A startups.
Support: Includes dedicated mentoring from Google teams and access to strategic resources.
Focus: Specifically targets technology startups leveraging AI and ML.
Location: Hybrid model for Spanish-speaking Latin America.
5. MassChallenge
Description: A global accelerator offering equity-free support to startups.
Support: Includes mentorship, resources, and connections to a global network.
Focus: Accommodates various types of startups across multiple sectors.
Global Network: Renowned for having a strong international outreach.
Program Type: Maintains an equity-free model.
6. Start-Up Chile
Description: A significant government-funded accelerator program in Latin America.
Investment: Offers US$12k in pre-acceleration funding and US$30k in its acceleration program.
Track Record: Incubated over 1,960 startups since 2016, generating $2.1 billion in valuations.
Global Reach: Open to entrepreneurs from any country.
Impact: A model for publicly funded accelerators worldwide.
7. Rockstart Colombia (Rockstart LATAM)
Description: Prominent accelerator with a notable presence in the Latin American market.
Support: Provides tools, skills, and resources for entrepreneurs.
Focus: Specializes in helping startups achieve growth.
Track Record: Has successfully assisted numerous entrepreneurs in securing funding.
Location: Based in Colombia, with a regional focus.
8. Startup Farm
Description: A well-established accelerator in Latin America.
Support: Offers product development, sales, and marketing support.
Mentorship: Connects startups with experienced mentors.
Focus: Aims to help startups scale effectively.
Location: Active throughout Latin America.
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9. Startup Mexico
Description: A key player in the Mexican startup ecosystem.
Support: Provides necessary resources and support for startups.
Location: Focuses exclusively on the Mexican market.
Network: Connects startups with valuable mentors and investors.
10. Wayra
Description: A global accelerator with a strong presence in Latin America.
Locations: Operates across Brazil, Peru, and Venezuela.
Support: Offers funding, mentorship, and extensive resources.
Focus: Primarily targets technology-driven startups.
Global Network: Integrated into a larger international network.
11. Antler Brazil
Description: A global early-stage VC and accelerator program.
Location: Based in Brazil.
Focus: Specialized in early-stage startups.
Support: Provides extensive funding and mentorship opportunities.
12. NXTP Labs
Description: An active early-stage fund for technology companies in Latin America.
Investment: Delivers venture capital and a robust network.
Focus: Specializes in Fintech and Agtech sectors.
Locations: Active in Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Uruguay.
Network: Strong connections among entrepreneurs, investors, and executives.
13. Y Combinator
Description: A well-known US-based accelerator with programs extending to Brazil.
Location: Includes program offerings in Brazil.
Focus: Aims to aid entrepreneurs across various industries.
Track Record: Notable success stories among its alumni.
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14. The Yield Lab Latin America
Description: Concentrates on AgTech startups within Latin America.
Focus: Dedicated entirely to the AgTech sector.
Investment: Provides investment alongside mentorship.
Location: Operates across Latin America.
15. BootUp360 - Business Incubation Program
Description: A comprehensive business incubation program.
Location: Based in South America.
Support: Offers funding, mentorship, and office space among other benefits.
16. BASF AgroStart
Description: An accelerator specifically focusing on AgTech.
Focus: Targets AgTech startups.
Support: Provides mentorship and various resources.
Location: Operational presence across South America.
17. ChileGlobal Venture
Description: An accelerator based in Chile.
Location: Situated in Chile.
Support: Provides resources and mentoring for startups.
Focus: Supports a variety of startup initiatives.
18. AgTech Garage
Description: An accelerator focused on AgTech innovations.
Focus: Concentrates on AgTech startups.
Support: Offers resources and mentoring support.
Location: Operates within South America.
19. Bolsa de Comercio de Rosario (BCR)
Description: An accelerator dedicated to supporting startups in various fields.
Location: Based in Argentina.
Support: Provides necessary resources and mentorship.
20. German Accelerator South America Market Discovery Program
Description: A unique program that helps startups explore the South American market.
Program: Features workshops, panel discussions, and one-on-one mentoring.
Duration: Runs from February 17 – April 11, 2025.
Focus: Aids in market entry strategies for South America.
Locations: Hosts activities in Colombia and Mexico.
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FAQ
Q: Which accelerator is known for its global network and mentorship?
A: 500 Startups LatAm offers a global network of mentors and investors, crucial for early-stage startups. Learn more about 500 Startups LatAm.
Q: What benefits does the ACE Startups accelerator provide?
A: ACE Startups is Brazil's largest accelerator, with over 250 mentors and a proven track record of accelerating over 300 startups. Discover ACE Startups.
Q: What is unique about the Founder Institute's program?
A: The Founder Institute supports pre-seed startups in over 200 cities and has a global reach, having invested in more than 5,000 startups. Find out more about Founder Institute.
Q: How does Google for Startups Accelerator support technology startups?
A: The Google for Startups Accelerator offers a 10-week, equity-free program focused on AI/ML, providing various support and training resources. Learn about Google for Startups Accelerator.
Q: What makes MassChallenge a notable accelerator?
A: MassChallenge is recognized for its equity-free programs that connect diverse startups with mentorship and resources across a global network. Explore MassChallenge.
Q: What distinguishes Start-Up Chile from other accelerators?
A: Start-Up Chile, a government-funded initiative, has incubated over 1,960 startups with significant funding and support since its inception. Discover Start-Up Chile.
Q: In which location does Rockstart Colombia operate?
A: Rockstart Colombia operates primarily in Colombia but reaches across Latin America, focusing on providing comprehensive support for entrepreneurs. Learn more about Rockstart Colombia.
Q: How does Wayra support startups specifically?
A: Wayra supports technology-focused startups across South America, providing mentorship, funding, and access to a global network. Discover Wayra.
Q: What type of startups does Antler Brazil focus on?
A: Antler Brazil focuses on early-stage startups and provides them with essential funding and mentorship to help them grow. Learn more about Antler Brazil.
Q: What is the focus of The Yield Lab Latin America?
A: The Yield Lab Latin America focuses exclusively on AgTech startups, providing both investment and mentorship to help them thrive. Explore The Yield Lab Latin America.
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.
