| | SEP-NOV - 2020 6EDITOR'S DESKAt the beginning of May, the Latin America Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (LAVCA) released a report showing that venture capital investment in the region had more than doubled from 2018 to 2019, reaching a total of $4.6 billion invested into "LatAm" companies.Fast-forward from December 2019 to May 2020 and the region's startup ecosystem momentum has, like elsewhere in the world, been significantly impacted by the outbreak of COVID-19.The current slowdown is affecting start-up investment regardless of location. However, it could prove particularly damaging to smaller start-up ecosystems, like the ones emerging in Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia.Organizations that support start-ups are facing their own challenges to sustain their activities during the pandemic, whether it's due to a lack of funds or technical limitations. Start-ups in these less-developed ecosystems now have fewer resources and may face longer recovery periods than their counterparts in the region's more established tech hubs. Start-up communities in Uruguay and Chile showed positive signs of flexibility and continued activity, but others in Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, Panama, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Venezuela all indicated that they are facing difficulties.Despite these challenges, startups across the region saw further rounds of investment, acquisitions including a Chilean food delivery startup, and the introduction of new products. For instance, Colombian background check startupTruora adapted its technology to help the country's fourth largest city Barranquilla track essential employees as the city heads back to work, according to the city's Mayor's Office. The company donated technology that will allow city authorities such as police officers and transit officials to quickly identify individuals that have permission to travel to and from work during lockdown.As more and more substantial tech companies enter the region, not only are they bringing with them innovative solutions and hiring local tech talent, but they are also inspiring the latest generation of entrepreneurs and forming beneficial partnerships in Latin America, bringing a new wave of energy and excitement about the region's potential.Let us know your thoughts.Looking into Latin America's Emerging Start-up EcosystemsKenneth Thomas Managing Editoreditor@startupcity.comCopyright © 2020 SiliconMedia, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part of any text, photography or illustrations without written permission from the publisher is prohibited. The publisher assumes no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or illustrations. Views and opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the magazine and accordingly, no liability is assumed by the publisher thereof.September - November - 2020, Volume 4 - Issue 11Published by SiliconMedia, Inc. To subscribe to Startup CityVisit www.startupcity.com Editorial StaffAaron Pierce Ava Garcia Mia WilliamsDanny RobinsonJoshua ParkerVian IsaacManaging EditorKenneth Thomas*Some of the Insights are based on the interviews with respective CIOs and CXOs to our editorial staffSalesRich Gonsalvessales@startupcity.comVisualizersIssac George Contact Us:Phone:510.972.5010Fax:510-894-8405Emailsales@startupcity.comeditor@startupcity.commarketing@startupcity.com
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