Mana Tech and ProColombia: Driving Colombian Technological Expansion in the USA
Recent years have witnessed a remarkable surge in Colombia's startup ecosystem, marked by notable increases in investment and participation in international acceleration programs. Amidst this landscape, Mana Tech, a prominent innovation hub in South Florida, and ProColombia, Colombia's promotion agency, have joined forces to launch an immersion program aimed at supporting Colombian startups in their expansion into the United States.
Growth of Colombian Startup Ecosystem
From the first quarter of 2018 to the first quarter of 2022, investment in startups in Colombia has seen a remarkable growth, transitioning from 6 deals and $188 million deployed to 29 deals and $457 million deployed, respectively. Moreover, between 2013 and 2023, Colombian startups raised a total of USD 4.621 billion, with 25 companies entering the Y Combinator acceleration program in San Francisco, according to Colombia's 2022-2023 technology report.
Miami stands out as a strategic location for this program due to its connectivity, growing technological community, and governmental initiatives to attract foreign talent and capital. These features make Miami an ideal gateway for Latin American entrepreneurs seeking expansion into the United States.
Strengths and Goals of the Program
The ProColombia Miami Immersion Program combines Mana Tech's strengths as an innovation hub and ProColombia's role as a promoter of Colombian exports and investments. The goal is to provide Colombian startups with a platform to launch their companies globally by connecting them with investors, mentors, and organizations in Miami.
The program consists of virtual sessions to be held from April 22 to May 24, followed by an intensive week in Miami from May 27 to 31. During this week, founders will participate in activities designed to explore opportunities within Miami's technological ecosystem.
Demo Day and Networking Opportunities
The program will conclude with a Demo Day on May 31, where selected startups will present their companies to a panel of expert judges. This event serves not only as a showcase for participants but also as a valuable networking opportunity within the tech community.
The program will feature the participation of several selected Colombian companies, such as Administrator.co S.A.S, Aleriom, Coally, ControlT SAS, Dogma Biotech, Estori, Finky S.A.S., Homty, HoyTrabajas, Inverti, Keep Up, Keybe, Kumu Colombia S.A.S., Linnda, LQN Hipotecas, Moda Lab, PeakU, Virtual Impact, WeKall, and Superfuds.
The partnership between Mana Tech and ProColombia represents a significant step in driving Colombian technological expansion into the United States. Through the ProColombia Miami Immersion Program, Colombian startups are expected to find new growth and collaboration opportunities in the US market, thereby contributing to the strengthening of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in both countries.
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