Soonicorn Club

Handbook
April 2022
Momentum has been building up for VC investments
throughout Latin America
The fastest growing region in the world for venture capital
Latin America exceeded the billion
dollar barrier in VC investments in
2017. Since then, we have observed
an average year-on-year increase of
115% in investment value, reaching
US$ 15 Bn in 2021. This spectacular
growth made Latin America the fastest
growing region for VC investments
worldwide.
The massive influx of capital has led to
the emergence of a wave of
Soonicorns, that is, startups valued
at more than US$100 million, which
are not yet unicorns but which stand a
good chance of becoming so.

Source: ALLVP estimates, LAVCA, Crunchbase, Statista

This context favors the rise of a wave of Soonicorns across
the region (1/2)

Source: LAVCA, Crunchbase, Press releases

This context favors the rise of a wave of Soonicorns across
the region (2/2)

Source: LAVCA, Crunchbase, Press releases

We witnessed a clear acceleration in Soonicorn growth
during 2021

Number of new Soonicorns per year Time to become a Soonicorn

The massive growth in VC funding during 2021 led to a 5x In 2021, 60% of the startups that reached Soonicorn status
growth in the number of new Soonicorns. did so in less than four years after launch.

5x
60%
of Soonicorns

Source: LAVCA, Crunchbase, Press releases

These Soonicorns come from all over Latam, and are
disrupting a wide range of industries
Country of Origin Industry Breakdown
Mexico and Brazil account for 70% of Latam Soonicorns, Fintech and Enterprise Software concentrate +70% of all
but Colombia and Chile have been increasing their share. Latam Soonicorns.

Source: LAVCA, Crunchbase, Press releases

Zoom: Mexican landscape 󰐏

Some examples Industry breakdown

Key figures Latam lead VCs with most Mexican Soonicorns*

7
32 7 000 3
startups jobs created
3

$2.5 Bn 3.9 years 3

average time to
raised since launch 3
become a soonicorn
3

Source: LAVCA, Crunchbase, Press releases, Linkedin - Includes all Latam-based VCs that led at least one Soonicorn funding round
Zoom: Colombian landscape 󰎪

Some examples Industry breakdown

Key figures Latam lead VCs with most Colombian Soonicorns*

6
18 8 700 2
startups jobs created
1

$1.7 Bn 3.8 years 1

average time to
raised since launch
become a soonicorn

Source: LAVCA, Crunchbase, Press releases, Linkedin - Includes all Latam-based VCs that led at least one Soonicorn funding round
Zoom: Chilean landscape 󰎧

Some examples Industry breakdown

Key figures Latam lead VCs with most Chilean Soonicorns*

10 2 000 3

startups jobs created 2

2
$600 M 3.3 years
average time to 2
raised since launch
become a soonicorn 2

Source: LAVCA, Crunchbase, Press releases, Linkedin - Includes all Latam-based VCs that led at least one Soonicorn funding round
Zoom: Brazilian landscape 󰎙

Some examples Industry breakdown

Key figures Latam lead VCs with most Brazilian Soonicorns*

56 23 500 16

startups jobs created 11

10
$4.8 Bn 3.7 years
average time to 9
raised since launch
become a soonicorn 7

Source: LAVCA, Crunchbase, Press releases, Linkedin - Includes all Latam-based VCs that led at least one Soonicorn funding round
 ALLVP Research - April 2022

Soonicorn Club Handbook

[Link]