Week 25, 2023 - Latin America

Newsletter
In May 2023, the VC investment landscape in LATAM displayed positive signs with 70 funding rounds and a total investment of 250 million USD. The average round size was 5.3 million USD, indicating a diverse range of investment sizes. Additionally, there were 15 mergers and acquisitions (M&As)...
Published on
March 22, 2024

“Do not leave your reputation to chance or gossip; it is your life's artwork, and you must craft it, hone it, and display it with the care of an artist.” - Robert Greene

MARKETS

June 23, End Of Day

TECH

Fundraising picks of the week

Argentina, Mokens League: Is a blockchain-based eSports that use NFT characters to Play and Earn. Get to know the case here.

Colombia, Beu: Creators and freelancers can unify all their sources of income on a single platform. Get to know the case here.

Dive deeper into other fundraising firms in LatAm here.

More in tech

In May 2023, the VC investment landscape in LATAM displayed positive signs with 70 funding rounds and a total investment of 250 million USD. The average round size was 5.3 million USD, indicating a diverse range of investment sizes. Additionally, there were 15 mergers and acquisitions (M&As), reflecting consolidation and strategic activity. Overall, the health of VC investment in LATAM during this period was robust.

CURRENT AFFAIRS

Mexico: Peso has reached its highest value against the U.S. dollar in seven years, leading to concerns about negative impacts on exports and remittances. While the peso's gains are celebrated by the president, analysts warn that the stronger currency could make Mexican exports more expensive and reduce the competitiveness of the industrial sector, while also impacting remittances and tourism.

Brazil: President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva stated that Brazil cannot agree to the European Union's proposal for a trade deal with Mercosur due to an addendum that includes sustainability and climate change commitments, which Lula perceives as a threat to Brazil. He also criticized the World Bank and International Monetary Fund and called for the United Nations to regain political strength and function in the right way.

Argentina: Interior Minister Eduardo 'Wado' de Pedro, an ally of Vice President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, has announced his candidacy for the ruling Peronist bloc's presidential nomination. He will be joined by Juan Manzur, the current Tucuman provincial Governor, as his running mate, representing the more leftist faction of the government coalition, as they prepare to compete in the August primaries amid challenges of rising poverty and high inflation.

Panama: Due to shallower waters caused by a drought, the Panama Canal will impose additional restrictions on the largest ships transiting through the waterway, affecting cargo capacity. The new rules, effective from Sunday, will limit the depth for neo-Panamax container ships, and further restrictions will be implemented based on rainfall levels, potentially impacting ship traffic and increasing route costs.

FURTHER READING

IMF report in Central Bank Digital Currencies in LATAM

Interest in Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) is rising in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) as a means to lower remittance costs and improve financial inclusion. LAC countries are making progress in introducing CBDCs and exploring the adoption of crypto assets, but regulatory approaches vary. While CBDCs offer potential benefits for payment systems and financial inclusion, managing risks associated with crypto assets and addressing the drivers of demand are crucial for long-term success in the region.

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