Narayan AmmachchiThe IDB Lab, the innovation and entrepreneurship arm of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), has set aside $25 million to invest in business startups in El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras.
This is the IDB Group’s first fund dedicated entirely to startups in the Central America.
The fund plans to invest in around 25 promising startups working in areas such as agriculture, online commerce, education, the future of work, digital finance (fintech), health and wellness, digital insurance, logistics, and business software (B2B SaaS).
An important part of the plan is that at least 25% of the money will go to companies founded or led by women. The goal is to bring more diversity and inclusion into the startup scene in the region.
Beyond just providing money, the fund will also offer practical help. This includes business mentoring, introductions to useful networks, support for entering new markets, and guidance on raising more funding in the future.
The initiative has attracted strong interest from both local and international family offices — investment groups that bring not only money but also valuable experience, long-term vision, and a real commitment to developing the region.
This mix of local and global investors is expected to increase the amount of capital available and help build a stronger, more stable, and more inclusive startup ecosystem across Central America.
This project fits perfectly with the IDB’s Impact+ strategy, which focuses on promoting economic growth that is sustainable, inclusive, and driven by knowledge and innovation.
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