The startup ecosystem in Colombia has been growing in recent years, attracting local and foreign investment. The IT, health tech, and fintech industries are some of the fastest-growing and most promising in the country. According to data from StartUp Genome, the number of startups in Colombia increased by 42% between 2017 and 2019, reaching over 1,500 companies.
In terms of funding, the Colombian government has been actively supporting the development of the startup ecosystem through various initiatives. For instance, the Ministry of Information and Communication Technologies has launched a program called "Apps.co" which offers financial and technical support to local startups. The government has also been promoting entrepreneurship and innovation through initiatives such as Innovate Colombia, a program aimed at promoting entrepreneurship and innovation in the country.
Private investment in Colombian startups has also been growing. Some of the most active investors in the country include Kaszek Ventures, 500 Startups, and Axon Partners. Additionally, there are several incubators and accelerators such as Nodefi, Startup Bootcamp, and Surge, which provide support and resources to local startups.
Some of the most popular startups in Colombia include:
Compared to other countries in the region, Colombia has a relatively mature startup ecosystem and a supportive government. However, there is still room for improvement, particularly in terms of access to funding and the development of a more favorable legal and regulatory environment for startups.