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Key people at URUCAP.
URUCAP operates as the Uruguayan Association of Private Capital, integrating and developing the nation's private, venture, and seed investment industries. It connects capital, talent, and opportunities, cultivating a dynamic investor ecosystem. The organization strategically facilitates collaboration and knowledge exchange, driving economic growth through investment.
The association originated from a collective recognition to formalize and strengthen Uruguay's nascent private capital market. While specific founder details are unavailable, URUCAP was established to unify disparate investment entities. This foundational insight aimed to promote structured growth and enhance capital flow for investors and entrepreneurs.
URUCAP engages a broad spectrum of stakeholders, encompassing private capital firms, venture capital funds, seed investors, accelerators, incubators, and startups. Its vision is to significantly advance Uruguay's private capital landscape, creating more opportunities for investors and entrepreneurs. The association strives to cultivate a robust, impactful investment environment, fostering the country's economic future.
URUCAP is a non-profit Uruguayan Private Capital Association founded in 2022, based in Montevideo, that unites venture capital firms, private equity players, seed investors, accelerators, incubators, angel investors, and other ecosystem stakeholders.[1][2][3][6] Its mission is to integrate and develop Uruguay's private capital, venture capital, and seed investment industry, fostering opportunities for investors and entrepreneurs to drive positive economic and employment impacts.[1][2][3] With over 100 members—more than 70% foreign—it professionalizes the sector through networking, investor matchmaking, reports, and ecosystem visibility tools like a portfolio connecting 136 active investors to 59 projects.[2][7] Key sectors include fintech, digital commerce, IT, software services, agtech, health tech, biotech, and impact investments with environmental or gender focuses; between 2020-2023, members participated in 72 rounds totaling US$16.5 million, averaging US$380,000 per ticket, mostly in tech ventures.[5][7]
URUCAP emerged in 2022 as Uruguay's hub for its fragmented investment ecosystem, co-founded by Sylvia Chebi, who serves as its president.[1][2][6][7] Backed by founding members like CAF (a Latin American development bank), it quickly grew to over 100 members, including regional funds and foreign players, amid a wave of tech and VC relocations to Uruguay post-Argentina's economic shifts.[2][7][8] Early traction included organizing Uruguay's first Private Capital Forum with Uruguay XXI and ANII, launching data surveys via CPA Ferrere, and building a deal-flow platform—pivotal steps to attract foreign capital and professionalize local investing.[5][7] Chebi emphasized trust-building between risk-taking investors and innovative entrepreneurs as core to its evolution.[7]
URUCAP rides Latin America's VC surge, capitalizing on Uruguay's stability amid regional turmoil—like Argentine relocations boosting its tech/VC scene.[5][7][8] Timing aligns with global post-2020 tech investment recovery, where Uruguay's mature ecosystem (e.g., fintech, biotech) draws foreign funds despite smaller scale; members' US$16.5M in 72 rounds (peaking 2022) underscores momentum in high-impact sectors.[5][7] Market forces favoring it include pro-investment policies, public-private partnerships (e.g., with ANII, Uruguay XXI), and tools countering information gaps for foreigners.[7] It influences the ecosystem by professionalizing deal flow, attracting co-investors, and amplifying Uruguay's voice regionally, positioning the nation as a sophisticated hub for disruptive ventures.[2][7]
URUCAP is poised to scale as Uruguay's VC gateway, with expansions in investor matchmaking, global reports, and forums driving more foreign inflows amid LatAm's tech boom.[2][7] Trends like AI/health tech growth, impact investing, and regional integration will shape it, potentially tripling deal volumes if economic tailwinds persist. Its influence may evolve into a full-fledged LatAm player, professionalizing ecosystems and fueling job creation—cementing its role as the vital bridge between bold entrepreneurs and daring capital that defines Uruguay's startup ascent.[5][7]
Key people at URUCAP.
