More than 300 entrepreneurs anticipate a new wave of entrepreneurial capital
As a result of the drop in interest rates, VC funds will once again set their eyes on the region. Which sectors in Argentina can benefit
The expected drop in interest rates in developed countries may be good news for Latin American entrepreneurs. If a scenario similar to the first years after the pandemic returns, venture capital (VC) funds could once again set their eyes on the region's startups.
"VCs will take advantage of this drop in rates and Latin America will be favored," predicted Alexander Busse, Managing Partner of NXTP Ventures at the first edition of the RepensAR Summit, which brought together local entrepreneurs at the Malba to analyze global investment possibilities and think about how to develop an investment ecosystem that accompanies Argentine talent in the construction and attraction of capital. Busse shared a panel with Sofía Gutiérrez, Head of alternative investments at Compass Group Investments, Matías Peire, Co-founder of GRIDX, and Martín Otero Monsegur, Partner at Towerco Investments LLC.
Among the sectors that could benefit from this investment wave is agriculture. In this regard, Ignacio Bartolomé, CEO of Grupo Don Mario, pointed out that financing is one of the key issues to be resolved for the industry to continue growing.
"Today there is a huge opportunity to differentiate and add value in Argentine agriculture. You have to be open to listen and take risks to take advantage of opportunities that arise," said the businessman.
The drive for technology
Hernán Kazah, Co-founder & Managing Partner of Kaszek Ventures, mentioned the possibilities that technology opens for financing to reach the region:"Technology increases possibilities. It has made funds from other regions of the world have information and platforms to bring part of their venture capital to other regions like ours".
Finally, Miguel Gutiérrez, Partner of Rohatyn Group, and former CEO of YPF, spoke about the problems that emerging countries could face in the future: "While there is an opportunity for Argentina due to lower international interest rates, there are two things to add: the shift towards protectionism in many countries around the world and the Chinese slowdown. Who will buy everything that emerging countries were selling?" he wondered.
The day began with a speech by Jorge Bustamante, businessman and journalist, and author of the book La república corporativa (The Corporate Republic). In his speech he recalled the great qualitative leap made by Argentina in the early 19th century, its different stages and economic cycles, and how the historical influences that led the country to become a power were negatively affected by internal policies that did not look at the common interest but at benefits with sectorial regulations.
Focusing on the United States
The event also included a look at investment opportunities in the United States. Ramiro Juliá, Founder & CEO Americas Capital Investments, Francisco Sosa del Valle, Co-founder & Bunker Invest, and Steve Weikal, Industry Chair of the MIT Real Estate Transformation Lab, analyzed the elements that should not be overlooked when investing in the world's largest economy.
In Sosa del Valle's opinion,"In the financial world there are those who have always been there and those who came to break in. Today we are in that battle and we are fighting it from the investment side thanks to technology, offering financial consulting and giving people the possibility to invest better".
Regarding Real Estate, Juliá highlighted the role of sustainability in the sector as a differential for investors: "It is not a cost but a question of basic engineering to build". For his part, Wikal highlighted the future role of Latin America and emerging economies."From before covid until now, the growth has been enormous. PropTech is a sector that has developed a lot and real estate in these countries has great potential due to their population growth," he said.
Source: El Cronista