Driving Innovation in Paraguay: Connecting Startups and Corporates for Impact

We participated in the event “New Business Through Startups and Technology,” organized by the Paraguayan Venture Capital Association (PARCAPY) and the Club de Ejecutivos del Paraguay, hosted at Sancor Seguros Ventures’ offices in Asunción, Paraguay.

Representing Galicia Ventures, Mercedes Fiuri joined the morning’s first panel alongside other regional CVC leaders: María Eugenia Elorza from Sancor Seguros Ventures and Florencia Williams from Start2 Group, in a conversation expertly moderated by Gloria Ortega from Banco Familiar.

The panel explored how open innovation and Corporate Venturing are key tools for companies’ evolution and continuity, allowing businesses to connect and collaborate with startups to develop solutions and products that meet customer needs while upgrading and streamlining their processes.

Through real cases and her own experience, Mercedes shared the journey of building and evolving Galicia Ventures as Banco Galicia’s open innovation and CVC platform, emphasizing the importance of synergy between internal culture and collaboration with the entrepreneurial ecosystem, as well as the crucial role of CVCs in fostering meaningful connections that impact the core business.

We wrapped up the day with more networking and exchange at an After organized by Start2 Group, bringing together key actors in innovation: entrepreneurs, professionals, and leaders of Paraguay’s business and corporate ecosystem.

Many thanks to the organizers and sponsors of this event —Paraguayan Venture Capital Association (PARCAPY), Club de Ejecutivos del Paraguay, BID Lab, iThink VC, and Cibersons— for hosting and welcoming us, and to all the participants for creating these spaces that promote exchange and synergy, boosting the VC ecosystem throughout the region.