The inaugural report from the Latin American Dynamism Project, mapping the region’s deep tech ventures, the investment landscape around them, and a roadmap to close the gap, for public and private decision-makers.
The “LATAM Discount” is real, but it is driven by solvable structural factors: regulatory fragmentation, thin growth capital and information gaps. Fix those, and valuations converge toward intrinsic value. Scroll through the argument.
Latin America holds 42% of the world’s biodiversity, 58% of global lithium resources, draws 65% of its electricity from renewables, and is home to some 700,000 to 865,000 STEM researchers. The raw material for frontier science is abundant.
Per-capita deep tech investment is just $15, half of Europe’s and a tenth of the United States’. R&D funding runs roughly 13× lower than China and 70× lower than the US. 72% of ventures never move past Seed, and only 19% reach Series A.
LATAM assets trade at roughly a –48% discount to global peers and –23% versus other emerging markets, per the MSCI factsheet of 30 June 2026, far below the historical average of –13.9%. Investors price in uncertainty, not the underlying science.
Deep tech funding grew 219% year-over-year in 2024, the fastest-growing sector in the region, and equity funding 189%. The IDB projects a 20× expansion by 2032. The question is shifting from “Why Latin America?” to “Why haven’t we invested more?”
The report lays out 20 concrete recommendations across market readiness, investor readiness and a regional coalition, from venture building and a pan-LATAM “34th Regime” to SEZs 4.0 and a Deep-Tech CVC Bridge, each with sequenced first moves and an owner.
Large-market scale, abundant clean energy and a nearshoring tailwind, the structural ingredients other regions spent decades assembling.
Sources: UNEP & WEF (biodiversity) · USGS (lithium) · Ember, Global Electricity Review 2026 (renewables) · IDB & RICYT (researchers)
Latin America has traditionally played a passive role in the global technology industry, trading skills, resources and market opportunities at a discount. The LADP exists to change that: to accelerate the development and investment of frontier technologies, and to move the region from a battleground for technological appropriation to a strategic actor in tech-driven geopolitics.
No single country has the scale, resources and institutional reach to compete alone in the global deep tech race. We address that gap with data, providing unprecedented insight to the decision-makers who allocate capital and write policy.
Increased funding flows from both local and international investors into the Latin American deep tech ecosystem.
More Latin America-based deep tech startups advancing through development stages and expanding into new markets.
Strengthened international ties and foreign direct investment (FDI) into the region’s deep tech ventures.
An interactive map showcasing companies in sectors like AI, biotech, and blockchain, among others, providing insights into their mission, stage, and funding composition.
Insightful analysis addressing challenges for both founders and investors, highlighting regulatory hurdles and market dynamics.
A set of actionable recommendations designed to bridge the funding gap and boost the investment landscape in deep tech.
Formation of a coalition of investors, founders, policymakers, and support services to drive ecosystem growth and foster collaboration.
From extremophile microbes to Earth-observation satellites, LATAM deep tech ventures are reaching global markets today.
Figures as published, September 2025. Since updated: Establishment Labs’ market capitalisation is now about $2.59bn, up from the $1.8bn shown here, and Satellogic’s disclosed total funding resolves at about $249m.
A constellation of 34 high-resolution satellites delivering affordable geospatial data for real-time monitoring of global environmental and economic activity. Backed by Liberty Strategic Capital, Tencent and the IDB.
Maker of minimally invasive, next-generation Motiva® breast implants, 25 patents across 25 jurisdictions, distribution to 70+ countries. NASDAQ-listed at a $1.8bn valuation, the region’s most valuable medtech venture.
Integrated hardware, software and AI that democratize predictive maintenance for industrial operations. Raised a $120M Series C led by Sapphire Ventures; backers include General Catalyst and Y Combinator.
Biological inputs for agriculture derived from extremophile microbes found in high-altitude deserts, boosting yields and soil health while cutting chemical fertilizer use. Backed by the Gates Foundation and SOSV/IndieBio.
Standards-based authentication and authorization for modern applications. Raised $210M+ across multiple rounds at a $1.92bn valuation, then acquired by Okta in 2021, a landmark regional exit.
Nanoparticle additives that turn urban surfaces into air-purification agents, degrading atmospheric pollutants in light. Deep Tech Pioneer & Track Winner at Hello Tomorrow’s 2023 Challenge.
Grid-operations AI that tackles energy curtailment and congestion to maximize renewable integration. Raised a $12M seed led by noa, with EDP Ventures and UC Berkeley Foundation.
Biodigester technology that converts organic waste into clean energy and fertilizer for farmers across a dozen LATAM countries. Backers include AXA IM and EcoEnterprises Fund.
Having a report on Deep Tech in Latin America is undoubtedly an essential contribution to the advancement of these technologies in our region. Relevant information like this will help us progress in a sector with immense potential to generate global companies.
The report provides actionable insights for policymakers, investors, and technology leaders seeking to understand how Latin America can harness Deep Technology to enhance its strategic autonomy and influence in this global geopolitical transition.
This report gives a clear view of the state of Deep Tech in Latin America, showing both the opportunities and the challenges. The region already has companies that can compete at the highest level, what is needed now is more global awareness, capital, and partnerships.
Latin America has tremendous potential to transform scientific knowledge into global solutions, especially in biosciences. This report systematizes experiences and guides us in building Latin America’s Deep Tech future.
Made possible by a grant from the International Strategy Forum.
The inaugural LADP report, data, analysis and a regional playbook for deep tech.
