Andean Region ShelterTech Accelerator

Village Capital Latin America is partnering with Habitat for Humanity’s Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter to launch a startup accelerator program centered on safe and affordable housing. The Andean Region ShelterTech Accelerator will support entrepreneurs addressing an enormous ongoing problem in the region: more than 59 million people lack adequate homes and affordable housing.

“Housing is a human right that relates both to physical and mental wellbeing, and every individual in Latin America deserves this safety,” said Daniel Cossío, Regional Manager for Village Capital Latin America. “It is important to create opportunities for innovators who can disrupt the housing deficit that we have in the region by providing targeted and tailored support, beyond a pitch competition.” 

“What’s unique about ShelterTech is the global scope of our offerings,” said Patrick Kelley, vice-president of the Terwilliger Center. “Backed by Habitat’s decades of global experience as a leading housing organization, we are building a network of affordable housing leaders, and connect innovative solutions with global mentors, partners, experts and investors for maximum impact,” he added. 

Selected startups will receive support through tailored engagements with potential partners, corporates, investors, and other experts in the sector. Entrepreneurs will also engage in a rigorous feedback and evaluation process with and by a cohort of startups. Village Capital’s initiatives have been ranked by others, such as the Global Accelerator Learning Initiative, as one of the best accelerator programs in the world.

The program is followed by a Global and Alumni phase, we will share more information in due course.

Benefits startups will receive:

• Ability to network and receive mentorship from potential strategic partners, customers, and founders.

• Ability to network and receive mentorship from prominent Latin American investors.

• Access to a diverse and inclusive network of mentors and founders.

• Access to an investment analyst who will coach them 1:1 on building a financial model, identifying unit economics, and on using financial metrics to drive both their business and investor diligence.

• Ability to participate in mock board meetings with representatives from potential partner institutions, corporates, and investors that can help their organization scale.

• Exposure on Village Capital’s program website and other communications collateral.

• Technical and targeted mentorship from experts in the housing industry.

• ShelterTech offers catalytic funds to startups. The catalytic funds support entrepreneurs in laying the foundation for growth, getting them closer to customer segments, and attracting new sources of capital and investments.