IDB Lab, the innovation and venture capital arm of the Inter-American Development Bank Group, has announced a $2 million strategic investment in the 500 LatAm Seed Fund IV, managed by 500 LatAm. The fund aims to support approximately 40 early-stage technology startups across Latin America and the Caribbean, including emerging ecosystems in Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Peru, and Uruguay.
This investment follows IDB Lab’s previous participation in the 500 Luchadores III fund in 2020, which supported over 100 startups that have collectively generated more than 10,000 direct and indirect jobs and reached over 2.6 million users in the region. The 500 LatAm Seed Fund IV will provide pre-seed and seed capital to startups developing scalable technology solutions, alongside strategic support in areas such as product development, talent recruitment, monetization, customer acquisition, international expansion, and additional fundraising.
Magdalena Coronel, acting chief of IDB Lab’s Venture Capital Investments Division, highlighted that this investment reflects a commitment to strengthening regional integration and driving innovation in emerging ecosystems. She emphasized that the fund’s strategy democratizes access to seed capital, giving entrepreneurs more opportunities to grow and scale their solutions.
Startups interested in participating in 500 LatAm Seed Fund IV can apply for the program, with selected companies receiving a $300,000 investment and access to a tailored mentoring program. This initiative underscores IDB Lab’s ongoing commitment to expanding early-stage funding and supporting innovative ventures across Latin America and the Caribbean, contributing to regional growth and integration.
