Caricaco

Caricaco is a Costa Rica-based impact catalyst that operates both a venture capital arm and a philanthropic foundation to support the Central American entrepreneurial ecosystem and local youth education. Through Caricaco Ventures, the firm invests in early-stage regional startups, while the Caricaco Foundation focuses on employment-oriented educational initiatives and targeted social impact projects. The organization operates with a dedicated team of six employees who manage its dual-mandate business model alongside providing resources like digital tools and a founder academy. The firm actively engages the broader technology community by hosting regional events, such as the Caricaco Summit, which has featured prominent industry figures like Daniel Vogel from the cryptocurrency exchange Bitso. Operating under the leadership of chief executive officer Andrés Lang and foundation manager Mauricio Miranda, Caricaco was founded at an undisclosed date by Amadeo Quirós Martén.

# High-Level Overview

Caricaco is a dual-purpose impact organization operating as both a venture capital firm and a philanthropic foundation, dedicated to strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Central America.[1][2][3] The organization's mission centers on positioning Central America on the venture capital map while preparing leaders and supporting innovative projects that generate real impact across the region.[2][3]

As an investment firm, Caricaco Ventures provides early-stage startups with capital, mentorship, strategic support across operations, marketing, and product development, and critical connections to venture firms and key partners throughout Latin America and globally.[1][2] The firm focuses on sectors including healthcare, media, services, and education, with a particular emphasis on backing exceptional teams that challenge the status quo.[1][2] Complementing this venture arm, the Caricaco Foundation works to level the playing field by creating opportunities for young people in Costa Rica through employment-oriented education and social impact projects.[3]

# Origin Story

Caricaco was established in 2015 and is headquartered in San José, Costa Rica.[1] The organization was founded by Amadeo Quirós Martén, an entrepreneur and social leader who developed a vision for creating equal opportunities in the region.[3] Quirós recognized that the inequality gap—particularly in terms of possibilities—was unfair and decided to act across multiple fronts to expand his impact.[3] He initially created Caricaco under an incubator model to support entrepreneurs, then took the vision further by establishing the foundation to generate more and better opportunities through education, employability, and social impact initiatives.[3] This dual-track approach reflects Quirós's belief that sustainable regional development requires both venture investment and foundational support systems.

# Core Differentiators

• Regional expertise adapted to local context: Caricaco Ventures understands and lives the Central American context, allowing them to adapt venture capital practices to the reality of the region's countries—a capability that distinguishes them from traditional VC firms.[2]

• Integrated support ecosystem: Beyond capital, the firm provides hands-on support in strategy, operations, marketing, and product development, coupled with facilitation of connections to venture firms and key partners.[2]

• Founder-centric approach: Testimonials from portfolio founders highlight consistent engagement, valuable tools and information, and meaningful introductions to market companies and investment funds that directly advance their growth.[2]

• Dual-mission model: The combination of Caricaco Ventures and Caricaco Foundation creates a unique ecosystem where venture investment and philanthropic education work in tandem to build long-term regional capacity.[3]

• Community-driven culture: The organization emphasizes balance, family, and purposeful work, creating a space where decisions with impact are made and where passion and community are central values.[3]

# Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

Caricaco operates at the intersection of two significant trends: the emergence of regional venture capital ecosystems outside traditional hubs and the growing emphasis on impact-driven investing. Central America has historically been underrepresented on the global venture capital map, creating both a gap in funding for promising startups and a missed opportunity for investors seeking high-growth markets.[2][3] By establishing a dedicated venture firm with deep regional knowledge, Caricaco addresses this market inefficiency while simultaneously building the foundational infrastructure—through education and mentorship—necessary for sustainable entrepreneurial growth.

The firm's portfolio spans diverse sectors addressing real market needs: Vitrinnea operates a sustainable second-hand apparel marketplace, Listo solves supply chain inefficiencies in restaurant ordering, and Azulo provides white-labeled credit infrastructure for financial institutions.[1] These investments reflect a broader shift toward solving regional problems with technology-enabled solutions, positioning Central America not merely as a market for external capital but as a source of innovation.

# Quick Take & Future Outlook

Caricaco is well-positioned to become a defining force in Central American venture capital over the next decade. As the region continues to attract attention from global investors and as local entrepreneurial talent matures, the firm's combination of capital, operational expertise, and deep regional networks will likely become increasingly valuable. The organization's emphasis on building long-term relationships with founders—rather than transactional investments—creates stickiness and positions Caricaco as a trusted partner through multiple funding rounds.

The future trajectory will likely involve expanding the firm's fund size and geographic reach while maintaining the founder-centric philosophy that has earned strong testimonials from its portfolio.[2] Additionally, as the Caricaco Foundation continues to develop employment-oriented education programs, the pipeline of future founders will strengthen, creating a virtuous cycle where the foundation feeds talent into the venture arm. In a region where entrepreneurial opportunity has historically been constrained by access to capital and networks, Caricaco's dual-mission approach represents a compelling model for how venture capital can simultaneously generate returns and build regional capacity.