WeXchange 2025 Program
Application period: December 16, 2024 – February 7, 2025
Program dates: March 10 – May 23, 2025
Program completed
This part-time, virtual pre-acceleration program ran for 10 weeks, providing women founders and C-level managers of technology startups with access to training, mentoring, and a network of entrepreneurs, mentors, and partners from Techstars and IDB Lab.
The program aimed to empower participants to increase their chances of entering accelerator programs, securing funding, and improving their startups' revenue.
This activity was organized with the support of Techstars.
This program is right for you if:
- You are a co-founder or woman in a C-level position at a startup with a strong technology and/or innovation component in Latin America.
- Your startup is in an early stage (or pre-launch).
- You have raised less than US$ 500,000.
- You are in a pre-revenue or early revenue stage (less than US$ 5,000 in recurring monthly revenue).
At the time of application, the startup must also meet at least one of the following criteria in at least one country in Central America and/or Ecuador:
- Physical presence of a significant part of the team (direct employees).
- Active clients or registered sales.
- Legal incorporation of the company.
- In the process of expanding into these markets.
Program start: March 10, 2025
Program end: May 23, 2025
What is the application deadline?
The application deadline is February 7, 2025.
How many hours per week will I have to devote to the program?
This is a part-time virtual program. Each week you will have approximately 4 hours of content divided into masterclasses, mentoring, coaching, and breakout sessions. You will be able to coordinate as many mentoring sessions as you like.
How do I know if my application has been received?
Upon registration, you will receive an email confirming receipt of your application. Follow-up emails will be sent regarding next steps.
How and when will I know if my proposal is selected?
You will be notified by email by the third week of February 2025. Keep an eye out for our email, as you will need to confirm your participation in time.
Can I change my submission after I have applied?
After submitting your proposal, you can request changes by writing to [email protected].
Will I have ownership rights over the product/service idea to be developed?
Yes. The team retains full ownership rights to their ideas and all intellectual property.
How many women will be selected for the program?
During this second edition, as in the first, up to 40 women per cohort will be selected.
Is there a cost for the program? Is equity transfer required?
There is no cost and no in-kind payment will be requested. No equity transfer is required to participate.
Is there a template for the presentation?
There is no template. You will need to submit your presentation as a .pdf file. You may also include a link to a website or video of your proposal or solution.
Is this an accelerator or incubator program?
No. The Techstars Founder Catalyst Women powered by WeXchange is a ten-week pre-acceleration program that provides participants with the knowledge, tools, mentoring, and networking to propel their startups to the next level. The program helps participants hone their business skills, better understand their target customers, and refine their products or services.
Can I apply simultaneously to more than one WeXchange program?
Yes — each program is independent and you can participate in more than one. We recommend reviewing what each activity offers, as they have different objectives.
What if I have more questions?
Send an email to [email protected].
November 30 – December 2, 2025. The selected woman entrepreneur or C-suite director will pitch to regional investors and ecosystem players. Each company's representative must be available to travel within four days before and after the event.
* Each selected participant is responsible for complying with the immigration and health requirements to travel to El Salvador. IDB Lab will not provide support with visa procedures.
How to Apply?
Applications are submitted through Google Forms. The deadline to apply is July 9, 2025 (11:59 p.m. ET).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply if I have already participated in other WeXchange calls for applications?
Yes. You can apply to the WeXchange 2025 Women STEMpreneurs Competition as long as you have not been selected with the same company in the previous four editions.
Do you have more questions?
Send us an email at [email protected], copying [email protected].
Additional Resources
Pitch Practice
Amplifica Capital organizes weekly pitch practice sessions with up to 8 entrepreneurs per session, of which 4 will present their company in 5 minutes and receive feedback from investors. During June and July, priority will be given to companies referred by WeXchange.
Sessions take place every Thursday at 11:00 a.m. CT via Zoom. Take advantage of this opportunity to strengthen your pitch and get feedback from investors across the region!
Register at Pitch Practice – Amplifica Capital, and when asked, "Can you tell us who recommended you?", write "WeXchange 2025".