The new fund, which will also target startups in Europe and the United States, will focus on B2B projects that use AI technology to transform industries and improve quality of life.
Latin America has emerged as fertile ground for the adoption and development of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. According to the ‘AI for Business Study: Latin America’, conducted by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), 95% of companies in the region have AI implementations planned, underway or completed, while 72% are restructuring their operations and strategies to incorporate these solutions. This scenario is evidence of the accelerated growth of the AI sector in the region as well and demands funding for projects, something that this fund seeks to satisfy.
The newly announced investment fund has been made possible thanks to the alliance between European firms GVC Gaesco, and Next Tier Ventures, with the mission to invest a total of €50 million aimed at boosting artificial intelligence startups.
“The purpose of this first fund, under the corporate name Next Tier GVC Gaesco S.C.R. S.A., is to carry out between 30 and 35 operations in B2B Artificial Intelligence startups. Our goal is to find those projects that seek to improve the lives of people and our industries through technology,” says Paco Illueca, investment director of GVC Gaesco.
The fund recognizes the potential of AI startups in countries such as Mexico, Colombia, Argentina and Chile, and will be offering not only capital – $500,000 tickets – but also accompaniment for startups from their initial stages to their consolidation. This comprehensive approach is key to strengthening an entrepreneurship ecosystem that has shown remarkable growth in sectors such as financial technology, digital health and automation.
Patricia Pastor, general partner of Next Tier Ventures, highlights the strategic importance of this investment: “Countries that invest in AI will be more competitive and grow faster. The birth of this first AI-focused fund is just the beginning of a series of joint initiatives we plan to deploy.” Pastor told Contxto that the fund will focus on “early stage ‘Seed to pre-Series A’ startups that have differentiating and sector-transforming value.”
A fund backed by experience
GVC Gaesco, with more than 50 years of experience in wealth management and financial services, has established itself as a key player in Europe. Together with Next Tier Ventures, a firm specializing in AI startups that has invested in companies such as Vozy, Auravant, Fracttal – an innovative solution for smart maintenance and asset management – among others; the fund combines investment management expertise and an innovative approach to technology. This collaboration promises to maximize returns for investors through rigorous project selection and customized divestment strategies.
With the fund in the final fundraising phase, it expects to reach the €50 million target in the coming months, attracting mainly family offices and private investors. This is the first of a line of funds that both firms plan to launch, consolidating their commitment to AI as a driver of global change.
For the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Latin America, this initiative represents a unique opportunity to access resources and knowledge that can accelerate the adoption of AI in key sectors. In a world where technology is redefining the rules of the game, initiatives like this position the region as a relevant player in the global innovation landscape.
