Application period: June 2–30, 2026
Demo Day: Quito, Ecuador, October 5–7, 2026
WeXchange 2026 Women STEMpreneurs Competition seeks to identify the most innovative and dynamic STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) women entrepreneurs in Latin America and the Caribbean to connect them with potential funding opportunities.
This edition is organized with the support of the venture capital fund EWA Capital.
If you are a female co-founder or part of the leadership team (C-level) of a startup that is raising capital or about to start a financing round, from pre-seed to Series B, apply now. You can be one of the 5 selected and pitch your company in San Salvador to investors and key players in the innovation ecosystem of Latin America and the Caribbean on October 5–7, during the GET Forum: Global Entrepreneurship and Technology Forum, an IDB Group Innovation for Impact Platform.
Who Can Apply
- Startups with at least one woman in the founding or leadership team (C-suite).
- Startups that are actively raising capital from seed rounds to series A/B or planning an investment round within the next 12 months from the start of the call for applications
- Startups with a high technological component or where science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) are key pieces, including sectors such as fintech, edtech, agtech, healthtech, biotech, e-commerce, transportation/mobility, logistics, digital security, cleantech, tourism, SaaS for SMEs, among others.
- Legally incorporated startups with headquarters or operations in at least one country in Latin America or the Caribbean.
- Startups with highly scalable business models at a regional/global level and high potential for social and/or environmental impact.
- Founders who have not been selected as finalists in the last four editions, unless they apply with a new company.
Incentives
- As a selected participant of this call, you will travel to Quito and present your business to investors and key players in the innovation ecosystem of Latin America and the Caribbean on October 5–7, 2026, during the GET Forum: Global Entrepreneurship and Technology for Latin America and the Caribbean, an IDB Group Innovation for Impact Platform.
- As a selected participant of this call, you will receive visibility, press, and dissemination opportunities for your company.
- As a selected participant of this call, you will receive support to connect with venture capital investors.
The prize of this call includes travel and lodging expenses for the female founder/co-founder or director (C-suite) of the company, who will be pitching.
Selection Criteria
- Profile of the founding team, previous experience, and ability to execute.
- Differentiating/disruptive element of the proposed solution.
- Growth potential & market size.
- Viability of the business model.
- Scalability potential.
- Potential for social and/or environmental impact.
- Performance and traction to date.
Key Dates
Application period:
June 2-30, 2026. Applications will be submitted via the online application form.
*Only applications that meet all requirements will be evaluated.
Selection process:
The applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis. The announcement of the selected companies traveling to Quito will be communicated via email no later than September 15, through e mail.
*IDB Lab reserves the right to request additional information, including the ability to request video-call interviews.
*Dates and times are subject to change without notice.
GET Forum: Global Entrepreneurship and Technology Forum
October 5-7, 2026. The woman entrepreneur / C-suite director of the company will pitch to regional investors and ecosystem players. The representative of each company must be available to travel within four days before and after the date of the event.
*Each selected participant is responsible for complying with the immigration and health requirements to travel to Quito. IDB Lab will not provide support with visa procedures.
How to Apply?
The application will be submitted through an online application form.
The deadline to apply is June 30, 2026 (11:59 p.m., ET).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply if I have already participated in other WeXchange calls for applications?
You can apply to WeXchange 2026 Women STEMpreneurs Competition if you have not been selected by the same company in the previous four editions.
Do you have more questions?
Send us an email at [email protected], copying [email protected]
Pitch Practice
Amplifica Capital organizes pitch practice sessions once a week, in which they receive up to 8 entrepreneurs per session, of which 4 will present their company in 5 minutes and receive feedback from investors. During the months of June and July, they will prioritize the companies that are referred by WeXchange. Sessions are every Thursday at 1:00 PM (ET) via Zoom.
We invite you to take advantage of this opportunity to strengthen your startup's pitch and hear feedback from investors in the region! Register at the following link: Pitch Practice Amplifica, and in the question "Can you tell us who recommended you," write "WeXchange 2026".