WeXchange Women STEMpreneurs Competition seeks to identify the most innovative and dynamic women entrepreneurs in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) from Latin America and the Caribbean and connect them with potential financing opportunities.
The competition is part of WeXchange, IDB Lab’s platform to support the growth of women entrepreneurs in tech from the region. This call for applications is organized in partnership with Google and with the support of We-Fi (Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative) and the venture capital fund, AVP Ventures.
If you are a woman, co-Founder, or part of the leadership team (C-suite) of a startup that is actively raising capital from pre-Seed to Series B, apply and become one of the 15 selected startups that will pitch in Bogota to investors and key innovation ecosystem players from Latin America and the Caribbean on June 13th and 14th, during the 2023 WeXchange Forum. This event will take place at IDB Lab Forum, the premier innovation event of the IDB Group.
Entrepreneurs will be selected by
- Profile of the founding team, previous experience, and ability to execute
- Differentiating/disruptive elements of the proposed solution
- Growth potential and market size
- Viability of the business model
- Scalability potential
- Potential for social and/or environmental impact
- Performance and traction to date
The first part of this boot camp (80%) will be held virtually, and the remaining 20% will be held in person in Bogota, in the days leading up to the WeXchange Forum. The boot camp is divided into blocks by topic, and all relevant members of the company are invited to participate in each block.
The applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis. The announcement of the selected companies will be communicated via email no later than May 15th.
It is a requirement that at least one representative from each company participates in each of the virtual sessions.
The woman entrepreneur / C-suite director of the company will pitch to regional investors and ecosystem players. The representative of each company must be available to travel within four days before and after the date of the event.
Location:
ColombiaBenefits
- 15 women-led startups will be selected to travel to Bogota to pitch their business to investors and key innovation ecosystem players from Latin America and the Caribbean, on June 13th and 14th, during the WeXchange Forum 2023. This event will take place at IDB Lab Forum, the premier innovation event of the IDB Group.
- In addition to participating in the WeXchange Forum, the selected woman entrepreneurs and their teams, will participate in one of Google for Startups’ flagship programs -the Startup Academy- a micro-acceleration program with workshops, keynotes, and one-on-one mentoring sessions; that will connect them with experts in technology, digital marketing, leadership, and fundraising.
- The prize of this call includes travel and lodging expenses for the female founder/co-founder or director (C-suite) of the company, who will be pitching.
Eligibilities
- Startups with at least one woman in the founding or leadership team (C-suite).
- Startups that are actively raising capital from seed rounds to series A/B or planning an investment round within the next 3 months.
- Startups with a high technological component or with Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) as a vital part of their product or service to include sectors such as fintech, edtech, agtech, health tech, biotech, e-commerce, transportation/mobility, logistics, digital security, cleantech, tourism, and SaaS for SMEs, among others.
- Legally incorporated startups with headquarters and operations in at least one country in Latin America or the Caribbean. Startups with highly scalable business models at a regional/global level and a high potential for social and/or environmental impact.
Application Process
The application will be submitted through Google forms.
Application Deadline: April 1, 2023
Application ClosedOfficial link
