The Programs
Accelerators and incubators for LatAm founders
10 structured programs — government-run, corporate, and independent — that take founders through a fixed-term cohort in exchange for equity, a grant, or nothing at all. This is the founder-side route; see our investor directory for the funds that back companies once they've already formed.
Looking for Y Combinator? It also appears as a named backer of several companies on our watchlist, so it has a full profile in our investor directory instead of being duplicated here.
Last reviewed:
| Program | Headquarters | Model | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Start-Up Chile | Santiago, Chile | Equity-free grant (government-funded) | 4–7 months, depending on tier |
| 500 LatAm | Mexico City, Mexico | Seed investment for equity | 16 weeks |
| Techstars | Boulder, Colorado, US (global network, 15+ countries) | Small cheque for equity | 3 months |
| Wayra | Madrid, Spain (teams in 9 countries incl. Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Peru) | Corporate venture-client + investment | Varies by program |
| NXTP Labs | Buenos Aires, Argentina (regional, Latin America) | Seed funding for equity | Multi-month cohort |
| Parallel18 | San Juan, Puerto Rico | Equity-free grant + optional SAFE | 5 months |
| Platanus Ventures | Santiago, Chile | Fixed investment for equity | 3 months |
| Rockstart | Amsterdam, Netherlands (Latin America hub in Bogotá, Colombia) | SAFE/convertible investment | Fixed-term cohort |
| Google for Startups Accelerator (LatAm) | Run remotely/hybrid across Spanish-speaking Latin America | Equity-free | 10–12 weeks |
| Endeavor | New York, US (network across 28+ countries, strong LatAm roots) | No investment or equity — a selection & mentorship network | Ongoing membership after selection |
Frequently asked questions
Do accelerators take equity?
It varies. Some (Start-Up Chile, Google for Startups) are equity-free grants. Most classic accelerators (Techstars, 500 LatAm, Platanus) take a small equity stake in exchange for a cheque. Corporate programs like Wayra invest as part of a broader business relationship. Always read the actual terms — "accelerator" is not one contract.
Is joining an accelerator the same as raising a seed round?
Usually not by itself. Most accelerator cheques (or grants) are smaller than a typical seed round and are meant to fund the few months of the program — many companies raise a separate seed round during or right after the cohort, often introduced to investors at the program's demo day.
Which program is "best"?
There is no single answer — it depends on your stage, sector and whether you want equity-free funding, a specific corporate relationship (like Wayra's Telefónica access), or a track record known to specific investors (like Y Combinator's). Match the program to what you actually need next, not brand recognition alone.