In this episode of La Frontera, we sit down with Alejandro Troll, GP at BVC, to unpack the differences between venture ecosystems in Brazil, Colombia, and Peru—and why those nuances matter for startups and investors. We explore how BVC builds trusted deal flow in markets like Peru and Colombia, sources high-potential startups before they hit major accelerators, and works to educate Japanese LPs on the opportunity in LatAm. We also settle a critical debate: does Peru really have the best sushi in the world?

You can find show notes, deep dives, and other great content, in our newsletter 👉 ⁠https://www.lafronterapodcast.com

Song is ⁠⁠Me Quema⁠⁠ by The Berger / Sanchez Project

In this episode, we chat with Courtney McColgan, Founder and CEO of Runa, about the realities of building and scaling a startup in Latin America as a foreign founder. Courtney shares hard-earned lessons from growing Cabify from $20M to a $1.5B valuation, how she navigated fundraising for Runa during the VC boom, and why thinking like an investor gave her an edge. We also dive into LatAm’s tech talent landscape, why expanding across the region isn’t as simple as market size suggests, and the cultural and operational hurdles that make scaling uniquely challenging.

You can find show notes, deep dives, and other great content, in our newsletter 👉 https://www.lafronterapodcast.com

Song is ⁠⁠Me Quema⁠⁠ by The Berger / Sanchez Project

In this episode, we sit down with Rene Ojeda, partner at 500 Global, who’s been shaping the LatAm startup ecosystem from day one. We explore the history of 500 LatAm, how the VC and startup landscape has evolved, and what makes for a great angel investor. Rene also pulls back the curtain on 500’s investment process and how they add value—plus, he reveals the biggest risk international VCs worry about when investing in the region. But don’t worry—it’s not all caution signs. Rene shares why he’s bullish on the next 5-10 years in LatAm and why you should be too.

You can find show notes, deep dives, and other great content, in our newsletter 👉 ⁠https://www.lafronterapodcast.com⁠

Song is ⁠⁠Me Quema⁠⁠ by The Berger / Sanchez Project

In this episode, we talk to Valentina Valencia, founder and CEO of Vaas, about how she’s unlocking capital markets in LatAm by automating asset-backed private debt transactions. As a Latina founder who started in Silicon Valley, Valen shares why she returned to build in Colombia, how she raised early VC funding from Andreessen with just a vision—no product, no traction—and the lessons she learned along the way. We also dive into how Vaas is making private debt markets more efficient in Mexico and Colombia and get an inside look at Colombia’s thriving startup scene.

You can find show notes, deep dives, and other great content, in our newsletter 👉 ⁠https://www.lafronterapodcast.com

Song is ⁠⁠Me Quema⁠⁠ by The Berger / Sanchez Project⁠

In our very first episode, we sit down with Cristobal Perdomo, co-founder of Wollef VC, to unpack what it takes to build and scale a top VC fund in Latin America. Cristobal shares how he raised his first fund, the key differences between LP bases in Mexico, the U.S., and Brazil, and why foreign investors need strong local partnerships to succeed in the region. We also dive into the challenges of exits in LatAm, the role of IPOs and M&A in creating liquidity, and whether it’s still too early to truly judge the potential for long-term success of VC in the region. 

You can find show notes, deep dives, and other great content, in our newsletter 👉 ⁠https://www.lafronterapodcast.com⁠

Song is ⁠⁠Me Quema⁠⁠ by The Berger / Sanchez Project