IDB Lab will fund LUCHA to catalyze more impact startups in Latin America

Partnership with the accelerator will benefit over 50 Latin American founders whose organizations operate at the intersection of business and impact.

IDB Lab, the innovation and venture capital arm of the Inter-American Development Bank, has established a strategic partnership with LUCHA, an accelerator aiming to strengthen the impact startup ecosystem in Latin America and the Caribbean, to help close critical gaps in the region.

Over the next three years, thanks to the activity of the startups selected participants in this project, it is expected to directly benefit 300,000 people in vulnerable economic and social situations. Additionally, 65,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions are projected to be avoided.

"At IDB Lab, we mobilize financing, knowledge, and connections to drive innovative ecosystems and ventures. This alliance combines our experience in developing impact markets with LUCHA's transformative approach to strengthening founders and their capabilities, creating a significant effect in Latin America and the Caribbean," said Irene Arias, CEO of BID Lab.

LUCHA, established in Peru in 2021, stands out for its deep intervention methodology, which includes developing critical capacities in founders and organizations, such as impact modeling, conscious leadership, and development of storytellingstrategic development. Additionally, its Fondo Luchante provides seed capital support to startups undergoing their acceleration process.

“More and more Latin American startups are born with a genuine impact orientation, but many fail to scale due to a lack of key tools and the right environment. Together with IDB Lab, we will catalyze the growth of founders and their startups, making them investment-ready to amplify their impact,” highlighted Giacomo Hoyos, co-founder of LUCHA.

IDB Lab and LUCHA call on founders, investors, and the general public interested in creating systemic impact on the major challenges of our region.

About IDB Lab IDB Lab is the innovation and venture capital arm of the Inter-American Development Bank Group. We find new ways to drive social inclusion, environmental action, and productivity in Latin America and the Caribbean. IDB Lab leverages financing, knowledge, and connections to support early-stage entrepreneurship, develop new technologies, activate innovative markets, and energize existing sectors.