Supporting startups transforming food systems by empowering informed consumer decisions, enhancing food center efficiency, reducing production and distribution losses, and driving innovation in food waste diversion across Latin America.
In partnership with Posner Foundation, the program's third iteration will support ten startups across Latin America to reduce food waste and enhance food security. It will focus on startups that empower consumers, improve food center efficiency, and address food loss in regional production and distribution.
One-third of all food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted each year, valued at USD 940 billion. This creates economic loss for farmers and raises consumer prices, heightening food insecurity for vulnerable groups.
Almost a quarter of all the meat consumed globally comes from Latin America; despite that, 60.6% of the region’s population experienced moderate or severe food insecurity in 2022. The main reason for food losses in these regions is due to poor infrastructure and logistics, which translates into 223 kg of food waste per person annually.
Food waste is expected to increase, with Latin America playing a critical role in global food production. Urgent action is needed to address these inefficiencies, improve food systems, and reduce waste to enhance food security, mitigate environmental impact, and ensure a more sustainable future.
We are looking for startups that:
Empower and inform consumers: Provide tools that reduce food waste (shopping assistance, kitchen tech, shelf-life extension, smart home devices).
Enable food centers: Offer solutions for waste tracking, demand planning, and inventory management.
Minimize production & distribution loss: Develop ambient/freshness monitoring technologies and sustainable biotech to protect food and crops.
Optimize food waste diversion: Repurpose scraps, leftovers, or still-edible food to divert it from disposal.
Eligibility requirements include:
Have legal incorporation and operations as a for-profit entity in at least one Latin American country.
Have a market-based solution that tackles food loss and/or food waste challenges in Latin America.
Have at least one full-time founder based in Latin America.
Be in compliance under local fiscal and business law.
Have a minimum viable product (MVP) and raised less than USD 1M in equity.
Have meaningful customer or business validation (not limited to revenue; it can also be successful pilot studies, number of users, and/or strategic partnerships).
Access to an investment analyst who will coach them 1:1 on building a financial model, identifying unit economics, and using financial metrics to drive both the business and investor diligence. Participate in mock board meetings with representatives from financial institutions, corporations, experienced entrepreneurs, and investors that can help their company scale.
Access to a diverse and inclusive network of mentors and founders within the agtech and foodtech sectors.
Access to live and asynchronous sessions tailored to a virtual learning environment to help their companies identify early milestones and prepare for their next round of capital (if relevant) or big expansion.
Access to the in-person program summit in Mexico City focused on networking with relevant stakeholders in the impact ecosystem, including potential clients and investors.
Exposure on Village Capital’s program website and other communications collateral.
Receive milestone-based funding (USD 4K per startup in the cohort).
Meet with and receive mentorship from prominent potential strategic partners, investors, potential customers, and other founders from Latin America and the US.
Virtual Workshop 1: May 26 - 30, 2025
Virtual Workshop 2: June 16 - 20, 2025
In-Person Program Summit Mexico City: September 29 - October 3, 2025
