Medellín has endured one of the most promising comeback stories of any city with a violent past. Traditionally the commercial center of Colombia, Medellín is frequently rated as one of the most innovative cities in the world. Compared to Bogotá, where young talented graduates are encouraged to join large corporations, locals in Medellín have a stronger tradition of entrepreneurship. A lower cost of living further encourages them to do so. RutaN — an organization founded through the collaboration of the Medellín Municipality , utilities company EPM, and the telecommunications giant UNE — serves as the launch pad for many local entrepreneurs by giving them access to equity-free cash and much-needed resources. However, a lack of startup exits also serves as a psychological challenge for entrepreneurs and investors. While Colombian startups do struggle with regulatory red tape, those in Medellín benefit from the presence of some of the largest conglomerates in the world, many of whom are taking an active interest in their local startup community.
These businesses offer industry expertise and are a source of startup talent and potential customers. They help fuel the local startup community.
Up and coming startup
Up and coming startup
Up and coming startup
Up and coming startup
As a staple of the Colombian startup community, Andres is most widely known for his music streaming platform, Grooveshark. He has also launched tech media portal PulsoSocial, and Socialatom Group, which aims to support, build, and invest in startups around the world.
Conrad is the Founder & CEO of Publicize, a startup aiming to change the way companies approach PR. He also cofounded ESPACIO, a tech incubator located in the heart of Medellín and is a Global Mentor at 500 Startups.
As one of the founders of the cybersecurity startup Fluidsignal, Rafael is an important member of the startup community in Medellin. He is also a mentor and an active angel investor in several startups.
As General Manager, Felipe is responsible for overseeing a $50 million fund that includes Empresas Públicas de Medellín (EPM) and the Municipality of Medellín as partners.
Francisco is directs the Private Equity Management activities of Promotora. There, he operates two funds: a venture capital fund that invests in Colombian startups with global potential, and a growth fund that invests in small and medium sized Colombian businesses.
In his role at SURA Asset Management, Andres is responsible for managing the investment arm of Grupo Suramericana, which is one of the largest conglomerates in Colombia.
Catalina is a Operations Manager at NXTP Labs, an early-stage fund for tech companies in Latin America. Previously, she was country manager for PitchBull, and a Knowledge Business Executive at Ruta N where she was responsible for increasing access to early stage capital for startups.
Eddie cofounded the incubator ESPACIO with Conrad Egusa and serves as a partner at the PR startup Publicize, which has been featured in TechCrunch and the Financial Times.
Esteban and Esteban serve as managing partners of Velum Ventures, a seed stage VC that invests in Colombian companies that are involved in IT, clean technology, and medical technology.
Mayor Sergio Fajard adopts a plan for the city to help develop marginalized neighborhoods in the city. The plan focused on transportation, education, and public spaces. Most notable is the metrocable that extends into the isolated, northeastern part of the city.
2004Ruta N is a joint public-private venture, started by the Municipality of Medellín, utility giant EPM, and UNE Telecomunicaciones. By providing startups with better access to capital, it's aiding in the development of innovative technology-based businesses.
2010An initiative by the Colombian Ministry of Information Technologies and Communications, Vive Digital aims to increase access to information technology in underserved areas.
2010Medellín beat out 200 other cities, in a survey conducted by the Urban Land Institute and published by the Wall Street Journal, as the most innovative city in the world.
2012Over a 10 year period, the local government will invest $220 million in science and technology.
2011ESPACIO is a incubator and coworking space founded by Conrad Egusa and Eddie Arrieta that offers desk space, classes, demo days, marketing and PR advice, and access to a part-time, in-house designer.
2012As the world's largest entrepreneur training and startup launch program, the Founder Institute helps aspiring founders across the globe build enduring technology companies.
2012Founded by Esteban Mancuso and Esteban Velasco, Velum Ventures is an early stage investment firm that focuses on IT, clean technology, and medical technology companies.
2012Designed to push students out of their comfort zones, Startups Academy was created to instill entrepreneurial spirit in the next generation of innovators in Medellín.
2014