WeXchange Women STEMpreneurs Competition

Application period: until June 30, 2024
Demo Day: Buenos Aires, Argentina October 31 and November 1, 2024

WeXchange Women STEMpreneurs Competition seeks to identify the most innovative and dynamic STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) women entrepreneurs in Latin America and the Caribbean to connect them with potential funding opportunities.

This edition is organized with the support of the venture capital fund AVP Ventures.

If you are a female co-founder or part of the leadership team (C-level) of a startup in the process of raising capital, from pre-seed to Series B, apply. You can be one of the 10 selected and pitch your company in Buenos Aires to investors and key players in the innovation ecosystem of Latin America and the Caribbean on October 31 and November 1, during the IDB Lab Forum, the IDB Group’s innovation event.

WHO CAN APPLY?

  • 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 4 months from the start of the call for applications
  • Startups with a high technological component or where Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) are key pieces, to includes sectors such as fintech, edtech, agtech, healthtech, biotech, e-commerce, transportation/mobility, logistics, digital security, cleantech, tourism, 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 high potential for social and/or environmental impact.
  • Founders who have not been selected as finalists in the last four editions, unless they apply with a new company.

INCENTIVES

  • As a selected participant of this call you will be able to travel to Buenos Aires and present your business to investors and key players in the innovation ecosystem of Latin America and the Caribbean on October 31 and November 1, 2024, during the IDB Lab Forum, the IDB Group’s innovation event.
    • As a selected participant of this call you will be able to receive visibility, press and dissemination opportunities for your company.
    • As a selected participant of this call you will receive support to connect with venture capital investors.

     

    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.

SELECTION CRITERIA

  • Profile of the founding team, previous experience, and ability to execute.
  • Differentiating/disruptive element of the proposed solution.
  • Growth potential & market size.
  • Viability of the business model.
  • Scalability potential.
  • Potential for social and/or environmental impact.
  • Performance and traction to date.

Apply here

KEY DATES

  • Application period: May 22nd to June 30th, 2024. Applications will be submitted via Google forms.*Only applications that meet all requirements will be evaluated.
  • Selection process: The applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis. The announcement of the selected companies will be communicated via email no later than September 15.*IDB Lab reserves the right to request additional information, including the ability to request video-call interviews.*Dates and times are subject to change without notice.
  • IDB Lab Forum 2024: October 31st and November 1st, 2024. 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.*It is the responsibility of each selected participant to comply with the immigration and health requirements to travel to Colombia. IDB Lab will not be able to provide support with visa procedures.

HOW TO APPLY?

The application will be submitted through Google forms. The deadline to apply is June 30th, 2024 (11:59pm, CST).

Apply here

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

PITCH PRACTICE 

Amplifica Capital organizes pitch practice sessions once a week, in which they receive up to 8 startups per session, of which 4 entrepreneurs will present their company’s in 5 minutes and receive feedback from investors. During the month of June and July they will prioritize the companies that come referred by WeXchange. Sessions are every Thursday at 11:00 am (CST) by Zoom.

We invite you to take advantage of this opportunity to strengthen your startup’s pitch and hear feedback from investors in the region! Register at the following link: Pitch Practice Amplifica and in the question “Can you tell us who recommended you” write “WeXchange 2024”.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

CAN I APPLY TO THIS COMPETITION IF I HAVE ALREADY PARTICIPATED IN OTHER WEXCHANGE’S CALLS FOR APPLICATIONS?

Yes, each call is different and independent. You can apply to the WeXchange Women STEMpreneurs Competition even if you have been selected in previous calls.

CAN I APPLY SIMULTANEOUS TO MORE THAT ONE WEXCHANGE PROGRAMS?

Yes, each program is independent and you can participate in more than one. We recommend that you review what each activity offers as they have different objectives.

DO YOU HAVE MORE QUESTIONS?

Email us at sophie@avpventures.com with a copy to wexchange@iadb.org

Apply here

PARTNERS & COLLABORATORS