Latin America is quickly becoming a major hub for entrepreneurship and startups. Not only buoyed by a vast, young population, Latin American economies are growing at a fast pace. This has made entrepreneurship attractive to direct investment and a deep talent pool of professionals in the area.
While many of the most popular startups have exited or have listed on a stock exchange, there are still many Latin American startups, known in the community as “Latin-X,” to get excited about. With input from 500 Startups, Draper University, Fownders and Make in LA, below are CIO’s list of Latin-X startups watch for in 2017.
1. Konfio
Getting on board with the startup scene, Konfio is a startup that offers funding to other startups. The process is made much simpler than getting a loan from a bank, and it’s proving to be an effective business model.
2. Conekta
Those that want to start an online business can have trouble receiving payments for any good or service they sell. Conekta is bridging that gap, simplifying the process for business owners.
3. Clip
Clip is a mobile payment service based out of Mexico. The aim of the startup is to facilitate the process of making payments among Spanish-speakers.
4. Platzi
Designed to help entrepreneurs learn the skills they need to start their own business, Platzi is an education site that offers multiples courses on design, programming, marketing and more. While it was started in Latin America, it offers courses in multiple languages.
5. Yogome
Education isn’t just important for entrepreneurs. Yogome is a startup that uses hundreds of mini-games to teach children different skills that are bound to help them throughout their lives. Children will be engaged while also learning anything from spelling to mathematics.
6. Nubank
Nubank is a mobile-based banking app that aims to simplify financial dealings for everyone. While the company is based out of Brazil, Nubank’s goal is to make a global impact over the coming years.
7. Cornershop
Sometimes there just isn’t enough time in the day to get groceries. Cornershop is the solution, offering groceries within 90 minutes of your order. They only serve a few supermarkets right now, but they should continue to grow and expand to different countries.
Kubo Financiero is a one-stop lender and investor. They began as a lender, offering quick and affordable loans. They’ve since expanded to investment as well where they take invested money and use it to create loans for others.
9. Bluesmart
The global traveler is becoming more common, particularly when it comes to entrepreneurship. To meet this rise in travel, Bluesmart has created the ultimate luggage – able to charge your phone, lock remotely and weigh itself before you arrive at the airport.
10. InfoPrice
Many startups and small businesses have products, but they aren’t easily able to find out where the best place to sell their product is. InfoPrice connects sellers with the right markets and stores to improve margins and increase sales.
11. Auth0
Cybersecurity is a growing concern, leading to the success of startups like Auth0. Auth0 provides a platform that guarantees secure login and communication, and it can be used for anything from private accounts to employee web pages.
12. InstaCarro
InstaCarro is an app that provides a high-quality, and efficient, way of selling used cars. After your car is evaluated by the app, they have over 1,000 dealers compete for the car, ensuring that you…