WeXchange, an IDB Lab platform that seeks to unleash the growth opportunities of women entrepreneurs in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) from Latin America and the Caribbean, and Google, promoter of multiple initiatives to promote the development of entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystems around the world, are teaming up to launch an acceleration program for STEM startups led by women in Latin America and the Caribbean. The program is developed in collaboration with Centraal, the entrepreneurship hub in Mexico.

If you are a startup co-founder, or a member of a leadership team (C-Suite), and you are interested in acquiring the tools, knowledge, and connections to take your startup to the next level, apply now and be part of the first cohort of 20 startups that will participate in this program!

It is an acceleration program – 100% online – for technology or science-based startups led by women. Run by Google and Centraal, the program lasts ten weeks with a high degree of customization and includes workshops on technology, digital marketing, leadership, entrepreneurial culture, and capital raising, which are based, in all cases, on a specific diagnosis of the situation of each startup and the challenges it faces. The entrepreneurs will also have numerous one-on-one mentoring sessions with investors and experts from Google, WeXchange/IDB Lab, and Centraal’s networks.

About the Program

The program will select 20 women-led startups from Latin America and the Caribbean, who are working on business and technology challenges to grow their business through multiple online work sessions, one-on-one mentoring, group classes, and team workshops.

Tailored Expert Help

The founders will identify the main challenges of their startup and are then matched with relevant industry experts from our network for personalized sessions to help them face those challenges and grow their business.

Specialization and Knowledge

In addition to mentoring and technical support, the program includes workshops and specific sessions focused on product design, customer acquisition, and leadership skills for women founders.

Connections

The selected startups will have access to mentors, industry experts, venture capital funds investors, and seasoned entrepreneurs from Google, WeXchange/BID Lab, and Centraal’s global networks, as well as international visibility opportunities.

Demo Day

The program will include a Demo Day during the ninth edition of the WeXchange annual forum, which will take place virtually on December 1^st and 2^nd, 2021. During the event, the entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to pitch their companies in front of a group of venture capital investors from the region.

Other benefits

• Equity-free
• Credits for Google products
• Access to the unique global network of Google for Startups Accelerator program, as well as subsequent technical and training resources

Startups with a strong scientific and/or technological component*, with a high growth potential, and a highly scalable business model at a regional/global level.
In addition, applicants must:

• Have a woman on the founding team or in a leadership position in the company (C-Suite)
• Be legally incorporated and have their headquarters and operations in a Latin American and/or Caribbean country
• Have raised capital from any source and/or are actively working on raising capital
• Have proven traction in the form of investment received, revenue, customer growth, etc.

*Including companies in sectors such as fintech, edtech, agtech, healthtech, medtech, biotech, wellness/beautytech, e-commerce/marketplace, creativetech, transportation/mobility, logistics, cleantech, SaaS, etc.

Stage 1: Application period

Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM CST, Central Mexico Time, on September 12^th, 2021.
Only the applications that fully meet the criteria and requirements will be considered.

Stage 2: Selection of participating startups

The selected startups will be announced in September 2021.

Stage 3: LAC Women Founders Accelerator

The program will be developed from October through December 2021.

Etapa 4: Demo Day

December 1st and 2nd during WeXchange Forum 2021.

How long is the acceleration program?

The LAC Women Founders Accelerator takes place throughout ten weeks and consists of one or two working sessions per week. The mentoring sessions are organized according to the availability of the mentor and the participating team but will take place during the length of the program.

Who participates in the acceleration program? 

The company’s leadership team is invited to participate, who then decides who else from their team should participate in the different workshops and talks. There will be specific sessions for founders, UX developers, Product Managers, etc.

What startups have been accelerated by Google?

Some of the startups that have gone through Google’s acceleration programs are Ben & Frank, EnvioClick, La Haus, Jüsto, and Ualá, among others.

Who are the mentors and experts involved in the program?

According to the specific needs of each startup, technology and industry experts are invited to participate as mentors.
Meet here some of the mentors who have participated in other acceleration programs organized by Google.

• Google Launchpad Accelerator México 2019: Eran Paz
• Google Launchpad Accelerator México 2019: Lesley Ross

 

Do you have more questions?

Contact us at: gfsa@centraal.com and cc: wexchange@iadb.org.

• Remember to cover the following points within your application video: problem; market size; solution (what are you doing and what is the current state of your solution); milestones or achievements; team; why your startup should be invited to participate.
• Find below a list of resources on Pitch Decks curated by ALLVP

20+ Best Pitch Decks from Real-Life Startups
How to Make the Perfect Pitch Deck
Startup Cheat-Sheet: How to Create a Winning Pitch Deck

 

** Google, WeXchange and Centraal reserve the right to request additional information from the startups during the selection process.