José V. Fernández

🌍 Latin America & the Caribbean received $327 million worth of microfinance loans from the IFC in 2011. What is the IFC? The IFC - International Finance Corporation, part of the The World Bank, is a global institution that drives private sector investment in developing countries. What is microfinance? Microfinance is the practice of giving small loans and financial services to people who don’t have access to traditional banks. In Latin America, $327 million was invested across 48 projects, empowering small entrepreneurs to grow businesses and improve their lives, particularly in rural areas. It would be interesting to explore the outcome of these loans 13 years later. Where are the entrepreneurs behind these 48 projects now? Source (released today): https://lnkd.in/eSM5JWzs

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🎙️ Carlos Diaz: From Serial Entrepreneur to Podcasting Success 🌍 Meet Carlos Diaz, host of the acclaimed podcast Silicon Carne and CEO of Uncut, who took the stage during the panel "Why in 2025 Everything Will Change" to share his journey of innovation and disruption. Key Highlights: 🚀 Entrepreneurial Path: Carlos built multiple startups in France and San Francisco, pushing boundaries in the tech world. 🌎 Investment Visionary: Founder of Diaspora Ravens, a fund supporting European entrepreneurs with roots in Silicon Valley. 🎧 Podcast Powerhouse: Silicon Carné, a podcast born as a living room project, is now a leading platform for discussions on tech, business, politics, and society in France. 📺 YouTube Expansion: Taking Silicon Carné to the next level with a thriving YouTube channel. Carlos embodies the spirit of innovation, resilience, and reinvention. Don't miss his inspiring insights on the future of tech and beyond! DELUBAC & CIE, DeluPay, Eveline Ruehlin, Jim Harris Bestselling Author, AI Futurist, Journalist, Christophe MOLINARI, Harold Sinnott, Françoise Morvan, Jean-Baptiste Lefevre, Diane Kaneza, Dr. Khulood Almani🇸🇦 د.خلود المانع, Naomi Simson, Enrico Molinari, Gary Shapiro, Christophe Aubriet, Julien Cazes, Mehdi Labbani, Sarah De Lima, Chantal Läng, Julien Sirtaine, Aghiles Fergani, Nin Serra, Julien LEFORT 🚀, Fabrizio Delage Paganini, Pierre-Georges Marcelin, Bastien Soucy, Antoine Guerin, Schéhérazade Bousaada 🌟, Evan Kirstel B2B TechFluencer, Jeff KAGAN, Tony Moroney #CES2025WEB3TF #CES2025Web #CES2025Web3TokenizationFintech #CES2025W3TF #CES2024Web3TF #CES2024 #ces2023w3T #TechRevolution #CES2025Countdown #GenerativeAI #Technology #crypto

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Latin America is showing a come back in #venturecapital investments --. #latinamerica has been witnessing a remarkable surge in venture capital investment and economic growth. Despite challenges like high interest rates and strict banking requirements, #latam is continuing to thrive with opportunities. Rise in early-stage venture deals, slashed interest rates in some countries like Mexico, expanding middle class driving demand for banking services where new #fintechs are filling the gap, are some of the reasons we might see Latam poised to become a global hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. #venturecapital, #latinamerica, #innovation #inversiones André Thiollier Foley & Lardner LLP

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✨ Breaking: Medellín Venture Capital Announces New Fund.- Medellín Venture Capital Medellín Venture Capital is a new investment program co-led by Medellín's municipality and the innovation center Ruta N. Starting in 2025, it plans to deploy $1.2 million in pre-seed and seed rounds as part of a broader $11 million strategy, targeting sectors like mobility, health, air quality, energy, circular economy, and deeptech. https://rutanmedellin.org/ Please share to let other #Founders know For the ❤️ of Startups #Fusion42 #Startups #Venturecapital

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LATAM tech companies are hitting the gas on fundraising in 2025, and smart founders know that fundraising isn’t about rushing to close a round—it’s about building trust, relationships, and momentum over time. Investors back founders they trust. In fact, 78% of successful seed rounds involve investors who had prior interactions with the founder. Consistent updates—quarterly emails, product milestones, traction—keep investors engaged and create momentum. The earlier you start, the better your chances of finding the right partners who align with your vision. At every stage: 💡 Pre-seed to Seed: Storytelling & team strength 📈 Series A: Product-market fit & traction 📊 Growth: Scalability & metrics (CAC, LTV, ARR) Start early. Build trust. Close strong. More lessons from The J Curve Season 3 in our YouTube and Spotify channels 🎧👀 #latamtech #thejcurvepodcast #foundraisingtips #venturecapital #buildinpublic

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𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝟭,𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 Edit List Link: https://lnkd.in/esFvg_bN The right angel investors can make all the difference for your startup's success and open doors that were shut before. I've put together a curated list of the 1,000 most active angel investors worldwide with my friend Guillermo Flor. Here's what's inside: 𝐍𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐨𝐩 𝐀𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐥𝐬: Including folks like Elad Gil, Naval Ravikant, Scott Banister, Marc Benioff, Garry Tan, Justin Kan, and more. 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬: Whether they invest in pre-seed, seed, Series A, etc. 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: The geographical areas they're active in. Industries and Sectors: Their areas of interest or expertise. 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐝𝐈𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐬: Direct links so you can reach out and connect. Additional Info: Other details to help you make a meaningful connection Leave a comment below for the link 👇

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Congratulations to our Endeavor Miami colleagues on this exciting new initiative to help uplift the next generation of entrepreneurs in Latin America and the Caribbean. When you think of venture capital, it is just natural to think of San Francisco - the deepest capital hub for innovation. Everyone not living in San Francisco tends to assume that they live in a geography starved of investment capital. But deep down, we know that is not the case. The U.S. is awash in capital focused on innovation. We tend to take it for granted. However, in geographies around the world, innovators truly do suffer from a lack of capital. It is encouraging to see this initiative to support entrepreneurs in Latin America. After all, world changing ideas can come from anywhere - not just the Bay Area. Super cool to see Endeavor leading the way... Endeavor Colorado Zeb King Tegan Stanbach Kathryn Dickson #privateequity #venturecapital #entrepreneurship #founders #startups #innovation #investing https://lnkd.in/gM297kQ2

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🌍💸 Transforming Lives: The Power of #Remittances in #Guatemala 🇬🇹 Each year, Guatemalans living abroad send back an astonishing $14 billion in remittances—representing nearly 15% of the nation’s GDP. These funds are more than just transactions; they’re a lifeline for families and a cornerstone for national development. 📈 Why Remittances Matter: - Strengthening Families: These funds provide the means to invest in education, healthcare, housing, and entrepreneurial ventures, empowering families to shape a brighter future. - Fueling Development: Remittances drive community growth, fostering sustainable development and uplifting local economies. - Advancing Financial Inclusion: Fintech innovations are making it faster, easier, and more cost-effective to send money, bridging financial gaps for underserved communities. 🚀 At Paysend, we’re dedicated to simplifying global money transfers, ensuring they’re fast, affordable, and accessible. Together with Mastercard and 5B - Transacciones y Transferencias, S. A., we’re delivering innovative solutions to strengthen this essential economic lifeline—helping families and fueling progress across #Guatemala. This week, I’m honored to join a panel at the CrossTech World 2024 Conference in #Miami. I’ll share insights on advancing cross-border payments for Guatemala and discuss how we can make an even greater impact. Let’s move money with purpose and empower communities worldwide! #Guatemala #Remittances #Fintech #EconomicGrowth #FinancialInclusion #CommunityEmpowerment #GlobalEconomy

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A #MiamiTech year in review by Refresh Miami looks back on founder stories, VC trends, and ecosystem developments in 2024. From Miami-Dade through Palm Beach County, there was a lot to celebrate. AI Innovation in Miami 2024 saw a surge in AI-powered startups, with AI-related funding increasing significantly, representing 27% of total fundraising. Companies like Vultr, Spines, and IntelePeer led with substantial investments. AI applications spanned industries such as HR, marketing, sales, and healthcare, with firms like Hirize.AI and Definition Health using AI to address recruitment and clinical needs. Healthtech Growth Healthtech emerged as a standout sector, leveraging Miami's healthcare excellence. Companies like Nodal, INSIGHTEC, and Neocis drove innovation in surrogacy, MRI treatments, and dental surgery. Telehealth platforms such as Opción YO and BeMe Health also gained traction. Global and Domestic Expansion Major tech players, including Apple and international firms like Veritrans International Co., Ltd. and Montage International established headquarters in Miami, reflecting the city's growing appeal as a strategic hub for global and domestic operations. Talent Development Initiatives like Miami Tech Works addressed the talent gap, focusing on pathways for entry-level tech roles. Programs such as the Miami Tech Talent Coalition and Venture Miami Tech Hiring Fair aimed to retain and develop local talent, fostering a robust ecosystem. Global Connectivity and Recognition Miami gained international recognition, rising to 16th in the 2024 Global Startup Ecosystem Report. Events like the Calcalist Miami Tech & Invest conference and global ventures underscored Miami’s role as a nexus for innovation and entrepreneurship. Venture Capital Recovery Despite a challenging 2023, venture capital activity rebounded in 2024. The Miami-Fort Lauderdale area attracted over $1.37 billion in the first half, with fin tech and medtech dominating. Significant mega-rounds and a rise in seed-stage deals highlighted the region's growth potential. Emerging Sectors and Trends In addition to fin tech and medtech, areas like prop tech, gaming, climate tech, and the creator economy gained momentum, marking Miami's diverse innovation landscape. Read the full article by Nancy Dahlberg and Riley Kaminer - https://lnkd.in/eRKTz9fu

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Americas Society/Council of the Americas: The intersection of employment, migration, and security in Central America represents a complex challenge requiring a coordinated, strategic approach. Persistent poverty, violence, and limited economic opportunities drive migration cycles that significantly affect both origin and destination countries. Addressing these challenges requires a focus on sustainable job creation, emphasizing investment in key sectors such as technology, resilient agriculture, and manufacturing. Simultaneously, promoting technical education and workforce training is critical to enhancing local employability and reducing dependency on external labor markets. Rather than viewing migration solely as a problem, it should be reframed as an opportunity to strengthen cross-border labor markets and mitigate skill shortages in destination countries. Implementing policies for regulated labor mobility, safeguarding migrants’ rights, and preventing exploitation can reduce vulnerabilities and promote family cohesion. Equally important is investment in community development programs, violence prevention, and judicial reforms to create a secure environment conducive to economic and social advancement. Central America’s resilience depends on aligning these priorities into a cohesive agenda that tackles root causes rather than symptoms. Achieving long-term stability and shared prosperity will require regional cooperation, strategic alliances, and policies focused on systemic transformation across the region.

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As much as Uruguay, Brazil and Argentina, along 7 Latin American and Carribean countries, El Salvador is now looking at cryptocurrency regulation as virtual asset regulated for business. Uruguay is leading crypto regulatory efforts introducing a law that gives the Central Bank supervisory and regulatory powers over cryptocurrency providers. This law establishes a registry system, allowing permits only to firms that meet specific criteria. Additionally, crypto exchanges, fund managers, and wallet operators are required to comply with anti-money laundering and counter-financing of terrorism protocols.

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Wing Venture Capital's Founder Docs project is a unique collection of startup wisdom, by founders, for founders. The authors of the docs are talented founders themselves, sharing their experience on the topics they are most passionate about. I'd like to highlight the contributions of Edo Liberty, founder / CEO of Pinecone. Edo writes about the special opportunities for the scientist / founder (and he is one of the best of this breed!), as well as some of the risks and challenges they face. I got a lot out of reading Edo's stuff and I suspect you will too! https://lnkd.in/g_wyRMiE

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If Latin America runs on WhatsApp, it’s fair to say Peru runs on Yape... Raimundo Morales is the CEO of Yape, the dominant fintech app in Peru and one of the biggest consumer fintechs in the world. For context, Yape has 16 million users in Peru, which represents 80% of the country’s total population. 65% of the country's adult population uses the app EVERY DAY. On average, they process 550+ million payments a month and are doubling in volume YoY. In this Fintech Leaders episode, we discuss: - The strategy that led them to onboard 65% of Peru’s adult population as daily active users in just eight years   - Yape was built within Credicorp (NYSE: BAP), a $14Bn company traded on the NYSE. How were they able to build a fintech disruptor within a large corporation?   - The road to building a super-app   - Why you should always set irrational goals; winning the war on cash… and a lot more! https://bit.ly/3XsISXy Special thanks to Gianfranco Ferrari, Francesca Raffo, and Milagros Cigueñas!

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Latin America is an underpenetrated region for solutions that address the underlying challenges faced in many sectors like Fintech, Healthcare, Logistics, Communications, Agriculture, etc.   The region is growing and evolving at a very fast pace, and is eagerly demanding better ways, tools, technologies and solutions to face these challenges. LATAM is a growing opportunity market but very often undervalued by European startups.   Equally important as B2C (business-to-consumer) solutions that focus on solving the struggles consumers face, are the B2B (business-to-business) solutions that enable companies to operate in a more effective and efficient manner, creating important opportunities for SaaS (Software as a Service) companies who can assist local companies to do so.   For the past decade most European countries have been actively investing, innovating and developing technology solutions aiming to help companies accelerate their business processes, while adopting vast amount of information brought along with the digitalization of processes, and by gathering, securing, understanding and organizing it to take faster and more informed decisions.   Are you a european #techstartup looking for international growth? Do you already have a plan in place for #LATAM? Are you partnering with the right local experts that could assist you in that venture?   We build LINKS 🟧 to EVOLVE the business ecosystem between Europe and Latin America #LATAM. 🇪🇺 🔛 🇲🇽 🇨🇴 🇵🇪 🇨🇱 🔶 ----------------------------------------------------------- LINK us Carlos Araujo Cruz & Fernando MAGDALENO ----------------------------------------------------------- EuroLATAM Link - #TECH Division #DoingBUSINESSwithLATAM #businessEXPANSION #businessEVOLUTION https://lnkd.in/eTjHMWVr

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☀️ ATTENTION: Miami Startup Ecosystem 🏝️ We are excited to be coming to Florida for the Founders N' Funders Miami VC Reverse Pitch Event, presented by Fidelity Private Shares and GoGlobal! If you are a full-time startup founder or venture capital investor, we invite you to join us for an evening where we turn the tables and have investors take the stage to pitch themselves to entrepreneurs. This is a unique opportunity for startup founders in South Florida to learn more about potential investors, their investment criteria, and what they look for when evaluating potential investment opportunities. This is an invite-only event specifically for full-time founders who are currently raising capital and active venture capital investors. If you are interested in attending, please reach out to one of our sponsors for a free registration: 💥 GoGlobal - Andrew Lindquist / Marcus H. 💥 Fidelity Private Shares - Jason Hammond 💥 Forecastr - Jeff Erickson 💥 Lazo - Juan Manuel Barrero 💥 Mana Tech - Gina Piscitelli-Marrone If you are a venture capital investor in Miami and would be interested in presenting, we have up to two more spots available. Please reach out to Gina Piscitelli-Marrone for more info. #startups #Miami #venturecapital

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