A recap of the Rockstart International Investor Summit 2023

On May 10th, entrepreneurs, investment funds, business angels, and various other players from the Latin American Venture Capital ecosystem gathered at the Bogotá Chamber of Commerce for the highly anticipated Rockstart International Investor Summit 2023.

Colombia's startup scene has been on the rise in recent years, and the quality of ventures, along with a supportive ecosystem, have been the driving force behind its growth. This support has enabled startups to scale rapidly and strategically, resulting in a remarkable increase from 767 startups in 2018 to 1,327 in 2022, as reported by the Colombian Association of Private Capital ColCapital.

ColCapital also highlights Fintech, Ecommerce, Foodtech, SaaS, Healthtech, and Data Management as the most invested verticals in Colombian startups.

While there was a decline in VC investment in markets such as Mexico and Brazil in 2022 compared to 2021, Colombia had a different story. Cuantico VC's report "State of the Latin American VC Industry 2022" reveals that the country's venture capital investment reached a record-breaking USD$1.7 billion in 2022.

The rise of Corporate Venture Capital

The Corporate Venture Capital was one of the topics discussed in different panels during the Rockstart International Investor Summit. Unlike traditional Venture Capital, CVC offers unique advantages to companies by providing easier access to new markets, the opportunity to innovate with large organizations in Latin America, and the ability to integrate into the value chain of regional corporates to increase competitiveness.

Startups that show potential

Throughout the day, a number of entrepreneurs from the latest batch of Rockstart Accelerator presented their pitches to the event attendees. These startups were WeBookYou, which offers a technological platform for the Travel sector to streamline reservations for flights, hotels, and transfers.

WIP, which focuses on Assistance services, and SaludTools, a Healtech startup. Each of these innovative businesses brought their unique ideas and approaches to the table, hoping to secure the support and funding necessary to bring their visions to fruition.

The importance of Accelerators in the innovation Ecosystem

The closing of the event could not have been more interesting, as the fundamental role that accelerators play in the innovation ecosystem was discussed. During the panel, prominent members of three of the most important accelerators in Latin America shared their experiences and knowledge. Felipe Santamaria from Rockstart (Colombia), Rene Lomelí from 500 Startups (Mexico), and Paula Enei from Platanus Ventures (Chile) highlighted how accelerators propel and connect startups with investors and mentors, facilitating the path to success.

In addition, they discussed how these organizations help emerging companies develop their business skills and optimize their business model.