Rio 2013 Blog: Latin American Startups Panel

During the first panel of AS/COA's Rio de Janeiro conference, participants discussed Brazil's growing startup ecosystem and the challenges that remain ahead. Benjamin White one of the founders of 21212 Digital Accelerator, explained that not only is the concept of startup entrepreneurship catching on in Brazil, but the country increasingly attracts foreign talent as well.

.@instantbenjamin of @21212com: In Rio, "there's an abundance of opportunity but a dearth of experience" bit.ly/ZsJwj8 #techrj

— AS/COA Online (@ascoa) April 11, 2013

Márcio Kumruian, founder and CEO of e-commerce site Netshoes reflected on challenges such as bureaucracy and lack of infrastructure.

#Mexico has less bureaucracy to set up a business than in Brazil. Environment in BR needs to change. - M. Kumruian of @siganetshoes #techrj

— AS/COA Online (@ascoa) April 11, 2013

Francisco Alvarez-Demalde, founder and partner at Riverwood Capital Partners noted that excitement around early-stage investment has increased in Brazil over the past five years, and said that with an increasingly digital world, "innovation can come from anywhere." Eduardo Klingelhoefer, head of the department of funds at the Brazilian Development Bank, discussed non-digital startups, explaining that agribusiness, health, and education companies also form an important part of Brazil's startup scene.

Watch the video below:

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