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STARTUP
AVENUE
COMPETITION

2025

Promoting an entrepreneurial culture to transform LatAm through innovation & technology .

Our core belief: Entrepreneurs are the seed of innovation, and innovation is the key to development.

 

What we do: We create the appropriate conditions to promote the LatAm Startup Hub from Antigua Guatemala, helping startups in the region scale, to potentialize the impact in the region.

 

Why we do it: We believe deeply in the potential that LatAm has, and we know that the new and innovative ideas are the ones who are going to accelerate the process of transforming our region.

Are you an ambitious entrepreneur with a groundbreaking Startup? Are you looking for an opportunity to showcase your innovation, gain valuable exposure, and secure potential funding?

Startup Avenue is a Competition for aspiring entrepreneurs in Latin America. We aim to foster innovation, drive economic growth, and empower the next generation of Latin American Startups. Our mission is to connect talented entrepreneurs with industry experts, investors, and mentors who can help turn their ideas into reality.

STARTUP AVENUE @ VOLCANO SUMMIT 2025

Raising funding?

Elevating your Startup?

Creating Impact?

This is the place for you.

From September 6 to 8 in Antigua, Guatemala, we’re bringing together the most innovative founders from LATAM with global investors, top VCs, and world-wide leaders as mentors.

 

Startup Avenue is for founders who are ready to raise funding, grow fast, and make a tangible impact in the region.

WHY JOIN STARTUP AVENUE?

Side Door Ventures

Will invest at least a USD$100,000 check to the startup they’re most excited about.

Caricaco

Will invest USD$50,000 in the most cutting-edge startup based in Central America.

SECURED INVESTMENT FOR
STARTUPS

Connect with Family Offices looking to test and support new solutions.

VOLCANO CAPITAL

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Learn how to structure your overall pitch, including your startup’s finances, how to talk to investors, and how to close funding rounds successfully.

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VC TRAINING PROGRAM

Meet and build relationships with leading VC funds from LATAM, the U.S., and Europe.

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TOP VC CONNECTIONS

Work with world-wide leaders from different backgrounds who will become  mentors to help you grow your business.

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GLOBAL MENTOR
SHIP

Join a powerful network of founders, investors, and leaders making change across the region.

HIGH IMPACT COMMUNITY

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Your product is validated, your business has strong traction and growing revenue, and you’re ready to scale. This stage is ideal if you’re expanding to new markets, consolidating your business model, or building a strong team to accelerate growth. You're now seeking smart capital to fuel the next phase and capture larger market share.

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WHO SHOULD APPLY?

We’re looking for startups in key growth stages that are ready to raise funding.

Here’s who we’re focusing on:

GROWTH 
SCALA
BILITY

03

  • Revenue: $50,000 to $500,000 in monthly revenue

  • Users (B2C): 10,000 to 100,000 active users

  • Clients (B2B): 20 to 50 paying clients

  • Capital raised: $500k to $5M

  • Team: Full-time founding team with key hires

EARLY STAGE

02

Your startup has a working MVP, early users or customers, and is starting to show clear signs of traction. You've developed a robust product that is well-positioned for broader market adoption. Investors want to see you’re on the path to product-market fit and have a solid strategy for growth.

  • Revenue: $5,000 to $50,000 in monthly revenue

  • Users (B2C): 1,000 to 10,000 active users

  • Clients (B2B): 5 to 20 paying clients

  • Capital raised: $50k to $500k

  • Team: Founding team is full-time and has hired key talent

PRE

SEED

01

Your startup is beyond the ideation stage, and you've validated your idea. You’re building (or finalizing) your MVP and starting to gain traction over the past 6 months, demonstrating product-market fit. At this stage, you’re looking for your first investors — we'll look closely at your team’s potential, vision, and ability to execute.

  • Revenue: $1,000 to $5,000 in monthly revenue

  • Users (B2C): 100 to 1,000 active users

  • Clients (B2B): 0 to 5 paying clients

  • Capital raised: First round from friends and family

  • Team: Fully committed founding team

Change in LATAM starts with you.
Apply now and be part of the region’s future.

VIEW 2024
SELECTED STARTUPS

FAQ FOR THE STARTUP AVENUE COMPETITION 2025

  • About Startup Avenue
    What is Startup Avenue? Startup Avenue is an entrepreneurship and Startup competition in Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala focusing on Latin American Startups. It provides an opportunity for selected startups to showcase their ideas, connect with industry experts, investors, and mentors, and compete for investment money. When and where will Startup Avenue take place? Startup Avenue will take place during the Volcano Innovation Summit on September 6th, 2025, at Cerro de Santo Domingo, Antigua Guatemala, and on September 7th & 8th, 2025, at Hotel Casa Santo Domingo, Antigua Guatemala. Who can participate in Startup Avenue? Startup Avenue is open to startups from Latin America that fall into one of the three categories: Pre Seed, Early Stage and Growth & Scalability. Are there any restrictions on the industry or sector for participating startups? Startup Avenue welcomes Startups from various industries and sectors. There are no specific restrictions on the industry or sector, as long as the startup fits into one of the three defined categories and meets the eligibility criteria. Is Startup Avenue open to international Startups? Startup Avenue is open to Startups from any country in Latin America. It provides an excellent opportunity for international Startups to showcase their ideas and connect with the Latin American Startup ecosystem. What are the benefits of participating in Startup Avenue? Participating in Startup Avenue offers a range of benefits, including: Opportunity to win US$150,000 in investment money. Chance to win additional cash prizes, such as grants. Networking opportunities with industry experts, investors, and mentors. Stand position to showcase your startup during the event. Exposure and brand visibility among the entrepreneurial community. Learning and growth through interactions with industry leaders and experts. Investment and business development opportunities. Media exposure Potential client acquisition Can I attend Startup Avenue as an observer or attendee? Volcano Summit is an event by invitation only, we just have a limited tickets sale prior to the event. Each participating Startup will receive a (1) free ticket to the whole event & 1 Ticket restricted to the first day of the event. Additional tickets will be available for purchase with a 10% discount if you are a selected startup to be part of the competition.
  • Application
    How can I apply to participate in Startup Avenue? Registration will Open On February 28th 2025 If you participate, you will be part of the F6S community. What is it? The F6S community is the largest online network of founders and entrepreneurs. By participating in Startup Avenue, you have the opportunity to become part of this community, gaining access to its extensive network and multiple international events. This membership provides valuable exposure and connections within the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Is there a cost to participate in Startup Avenue? There is no cost to participate in Startup Avenue. However, Startups are responsible for covering their own travel and accommodation expenses. Can Startups participate in Startup Avenue if they have previously received funding or investment? Yes, Startups that have previously received funding or investment can still participate in Startup Avenue. The event provides an opportunity for startups to showcase their progress, attract further investment, and form strategic partnerships. Are Startups required to have a legal entity or be registered to participate in Startup Avenue? Yes, startups need to have a legal entity or be registered to participate in Startup Avenue. This will ensure a clear business structure and provide documentation that fosters credibility and facilitates potential partnerships and investment opportunities. Can I participate in Startup Avenue as an investor or venture capitalist? Startup Avenue is primarily designed for participating Startups. However, if you are an investor or venture capitalist interested in attending the event, please reach out to startups@volcanosummit.com We can discuss potential opportunities for involvement.
  • About the Event
    Are there any benefits before the event? Yes, participating startups can enjoy pre-event benefits, including: Access to Curated Educational Material: Gain exclusive access to educational resources curated by experts in relevant Startup fields. Category-specific Workshops: Participate in specialized workshops designed for each category of Startups. Will there be opportunities to network with other Startups and industry professionals? Yes, Startup Avenue provides numerous networking opportunities. You can connect with like-minded entrepreneurs, industry professionals, potential partners, and mentors throughout the event. These connections can open doors to collaboration, partnerships, and future opportunities. Will there be networking opportunities at Startup Avenue? Yes, Startup Avenue provides ample networking opportunities. You can connect with like-minded entrepreneurs, industry experts, potential partners, mentors, and potential investors during the event.
  • Event Day
    Can Startup bring promotional materials or set up a booth at the event? During the first day of the event, Startups will have the chance to set up their own dedicated stand where they can display relevant information about their Startup and pitch their ideas to individual attendees. Additional information will be shared with the selected Startups. Can Startups bring promotional materials or merchandise to the event the other two days? Yes, Startups are encouraged to bring promotional materials, merchandise, and any relevant collateral to showcase their brand and offerings at their stand. This can include brochures, business cards, product samples and branded merchandise. Will there be opportunities for Startups to showcase their products or prototypes during the event? Yes, Startups will have the opportunity to showcase their products or prototypes at their stand during the event. This allows attendees to interact directly with the startup's offerings and gain a deeper understanding of their value proposition. Will there be workshops or masterclasses during the event? Yes, there will be exclusive masterclasses conducted by experts in various fields. Topics covered may include raising capital, perfecting your pitch, and more. These workshops will provide valuable insights and knowledge to enhance your entrepreneurial skills. Will there be investors or venture capitalists present at the event? Yes, there will be multiple investors, venture capitalists, and potential clients and partners present at the event, offering opportunities for startups to connect and explore potential collaborations. You can check the partners of Volcano Summit at the following link: https://www.volcanosummit.com/
  • Pitch Presentation
    How long will each Startup have to pitch their idea? Each startup will have 4 minutes to pitch their idea to a panel of experienced judges and investors. This will be followed by a 3-minute question session. Are there any restrictions on the language used during pitches and presentations? Startup Avenue welcomes pitches and presentations in both English and Spanish. We strongly recommend giving it in English. It is very likely that at least one member of your judging panel would need to hear your pitch in English.
  • Travel & Accommodation
    Is accommodation provided for participants traveling to the competition? No, accommodation is not provided by the event. Participating Startups are responsible for covering their own travel and accommodation expenses.
  • Who attends Volcano Innovation Summit?
    Volcano Innovation Summit brings together individuals worldwide, including entrepreneurs, intrapreneurs, executives, investors, thought-leaders and influencers, fostering cross-pollination and business opportunities on a global scale.
  • What content does Volcano Innovation Summit cover?
    Our Content Treks* include Investment, Technology, Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Sustainability, Inspiration, Wellness and Fintech. Prepare to immerse yourself in a dynamic environment filled with thought-provoking discussions, hands-on workshops, and networking opportunities with industry leaders and innovators. *Why Content Treks instead of Tracks? Treks is our exclusive term designating the immersive content journey you will experience and symbolically “hike through” from the start to the culmination of the event.
  • When and Where is the Summit taking place?
    The Summit is taking place from September 6th, 2025 to September 8th, 2025 in Antigua Guatemala, located about an hour from Guatemala City. Antigua Guatemala served as Guatemala’s capital during the 16th century and it has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is known for its preserved Spanish Baroque-influenced architecture as well as being surrounded by three volcanoes: Agua, Fuego and Acatenango. Our main venue is Hotel Casa Santo Domingo. Stay tuned for more information when tickets are out for sale.
  • How do I purchase a ticket for the event?
    The event is primarily by invitation, but we reserve tickets for sale. Stay tuned for release announcements on our socials: https://www.linkedin.com/company/volcano-summit/ https://www.instagram.com/volcanosummit/
  • What should I bring or how should I prepare for the Summit?
    Prepare with an open mind and a readiness to challenge established paradigms. Clear your schedule of any conflicting meetings to fully engage with the content and networking opportunities available on-site. Ensure you have your Volcano Innovation Summit 2024 ticket either on your mobile device or in printed form, along with a valid ID or passport for identification purposes. For a comprehensive overview of what to expect and additional tips, make sure to keep an eye out for our Volcano Innovation Summit Attendee Guide, which will be provided to you along with your ticket. This guide will serve as your go-to resource for navigating the summit smoothly.
  • How can I become a Speaker or propose a Speaker?
    We welcome your suggestions! To be considered to speak at our 2024 edition, please fill out our Speakers Application form. To propose a high-level speaker please email your proposal to our Head of Speakers at speakers@volcanosummit.com.
  • What language will sessions and materials be presented in?
    All sessions and materials are presented in English to accommodate our diverse global community. As a LATAM-focused event with a substantial presence from the region, we offer professional translation equipment on-site for stage sessions to enhance accessibility and inclusivity.
  • I’m a member of the press; can I register for a press seat?
    Yes, we allocate a limited number of press seats. Contact the Head of Communications at info@volcanosummit.com for press registration or media queries.
  • How can I become a Volcano Volunteer?
    Enthusiastic individuals interested in contributing to event execution can join our volunteer team. Fill out the Volunteer Application form and contact the Head of Volunteers at volunteers@volcanosummit.com.
  • When and how can I check out the Agenda for 2025?
    We will announce our 2025 Agenda through our socials (Linkedin and Instagram) and you will be able to access the Agenda (and start networking!) through our App*. *TBA
  • Is there a dress code during Volcano Summit?
    There's no set dress code for the event. We encourage you to unleash your creativity and embrace freedom in your clothing choices. It's all about having fun, celebrating originality, and wearing what makes you feel most comfortable. 🙌🏼
  • Is there virtual access to sessions or livestreams?
    We do not offer virtual access or livestreams at the moment. All of the sessions are live 100% on site.
  • I have a question not covered above; who can I contact?
    For any other inquiries, email us at info@volcanosummit.com. If you feel there's a crucial question missing, let us know, and we'll add it to assist as many people as possible.

If you have more questions please contact: startupavenue@volcanosummit.com

IN COLLABORATION WITH

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