IDB Lab and WeXchange launch new call for STEM entrepreneurs

IDB Labthe Group’s innovation laboratory Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)and its platform WeXchange with which it promotes the growth of technological entrepreneurs in the region announce the launch of a new call to connect the most innovative and dynamic STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) entrepreneurs in the region with potential opportunities of access to financing.

This edition of WeXchange Women STEMpreneurs Competition will select fifteen startups that have a co-founder or a woman within their leadership team and in which technology is a key part of their product or service. In addition, they must have their headquarters and operate in at least one country in Latin America or the Caribbean, as well as be in the financing phase from pre-Seed rounds to Series B.

The selected entrepreneurs will travel to Miami and on May 24 they will present their companies to equity fund investors during the event “WeXchange: Connecting women STEMpreneurs with investors”, in the context of the VC Latam Summit. This summit will bring together the most relevant investors in the venture capital industry in Latin America for three days and is organized by nine national associations of venture capital and private capital in the region.

The selected startups will also participate in a five-day hybrid bootcamp organized by Google in which they will receive training and attend workshops on technology, digital marketing, leadership and capital raising.

“In Latin America and the Caribbean we need more women founding and leading companies, particularly in the STEM areas. We encourage women entrepreneurs who use technology for their projects to participate in calls like this one, which combine training and connections with financing opportunities, both issues that are difficult to access for women who want to start businesses in our region”, said Irene Arias, CEO of IDB Lab.

Companies interested in participating may apply until April 8, 2022 at this link. On April 25, the entrepreneurs will be notified if they have been selected. This call has the collaboration of the entrepreneurial capital fund PRPHA and Google and the support of Financing Initiative for Women Entrepreneurs (Wifi).