Picante backs young founders and tech startups in Uruguay
Picante is expanding its footprint in Latin America with its first investment in Uruguay. Beyond funding and mentorship, Picante is forging partnerships with universities, coworking spaces, and venture capital funds to create bridges for Uruguayan entrepreneurs across Latin America.
Picante, the Argentine accelerator known for empowering young founders through close mentorship and collaborative funding, is expanding its footprint in Latin America with its first investment in Uruguay. The initiative combines seed funding, mentorship, and a strong peer network to help early-stage entrepreneurs turn bold ideas into scalable ventures.
From Buenos Aires to Latin America’s Next Generation of Builders
What started as a spontaneous effort among Argentine founders has now evolved into one of the region’s most promising startup accelerators. The story began in Buenos Aires, when the creators of fintech Takenos began meeting informally with young entrepreneurs to refine their business ideas and introduce them to potential investors.
Over time, those casual gatherings grew into a movement. As more founders joined and projects multiplied, a shared sense of purpose emerged. Co-founders Federico Ades, Fede Gir, and Lolo Sacerdoti formalized that community into what is now Picante, a platform designed to support early-stage founders across Latin America.
Investing in Young Founders and Early Talent
Unlike traditional funds, Picante operates as a community-first accelerator. Each startup receives up to $30,000 in seed capital, but the real value lies in the hands-on guidance and network founders gain.
“We see brilliant young people passionate about technology and eager to make an impact. We speak their language and understand what drives them,” said Federico Ades, co-founder of Picante.
Mentors within the program are also founders who volunteer their time to guide newcomers, sharing customers, suppliers, lessons learned, and even mistakes. This peer-driven model has become the cornerstone of Picante’s success.
Eight Startups Backed in Just One Year
In its first year, Picante has already invested in eight startups:
The connection with Uruguay came naturally. The team met Viatik’s founders, Renzo Costanzo, Gonzalo Aszyn, and Renzo Battaglia, in Buenos Aires, and immediately recognized a shared vision.
“We found a new generation of Uruguayan entrepreneurs with a global mindset and an incredible drive to grow,” said Ades.
Viatik, created within the CIE of Universidad ORT, quickly gained traction in the shared travel market. After success with its Buenos Aires–Mar del Plata route, the startup is now working with Picante to expand across Latin America.
Picanthon Uruguay: Building Together
Last weekend, Picante hosted Picanthon Uruguay, a 24-hour hackathon held in Punta del Este, where 13 teams of young innovators developed B2C products from scratch. The event gathered mentors from both Argentina and Uruguay, alongside a jury of ecosystem leaders.
This milestone event marks Picante’s formal entry into the Uruguayan tech scene, further strengthening regional collaboration between emerging founders.
Beyond funding and mentorship, Picante is forging partnerships with universities, coworking spaces, and venture capital funds to create bridges for Uruguayan entrepreneurs across Latin America.
With its people-centered approach and growing community, Picante is positioning itself as a new force in the regional tech ecosystem, empowering the next generation of Latin American founders to build, scale, and dream beyond borders.
