Copec WIND Ventures

✨ We're excited to share an article by our Senior Associate, Mark Dryden, featured in Global Corporate Venturing: "Time for Latin America to Come Out of Stealth Mode as an Energy Powerhouse". Latin America is breaking barriers with a 60% renewable electricity mix—double the global average. Countries like Paraguay, Chile, and Brazil are leading with significant advancements in hydroelectric, solar, and wind energy. Mark’s piece explores the opportunities in the region, from transforming industrial sectors like mining to enhancing grid reliability and exporting green energy. 🌎 🔗read the full article here ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/d-WWUCGC

We are thrilled to announce that our very own Brian Walsh, Head of WIND Ventures, has been recognized on the prestigious Global Corporate Venturing Power List! This accolade is awarded to the most influential figures in corporate venturing and reflects their exceptional contributions to the industry. The Power List selection criteria includes a mix of quantitative and qualitative factors—number of investments, exits, team composition, strategic approach, and community engagement. Brian’s leadership has influenced WIND Ventures’ success and trajectory in all of these areas, distinguishing him as a pivotal figure in shaping today's corporate venturing landscape. Under Brian's leadership, Copec WIND Ventures has grown to a team of five people, deployed >$110 million in capital, completed 3X exits, manages >20 active portfolio companies and continues to deliver distinctive value to global founders in partnership with COPEC S.A. Congratulations, Brian! https://lnkd.in/gYBd4PxU #VentureCapital #EnergyInnovation #Sustainability #CorporateVenturing #Leadership

📢 WIND Ventures parent company COPEC S.A. and our portfolio company INERATEC have signed an agreement to spearhead sustainable e-Fuel production in Chile 🇨🇱 ! This collaboration aims to establish a Power-to-Liquid plant capable of producing 3,500 tons of e-Fuels per year, bolstering Chile’s position as a renewable energy hub. 🌍💡 This collaboration underscores the value of WIND Ventures’ deep-rooted relationships in Latin America, providing startups with an unfair advantage to expand or accelerate existing growth in the Latin American markets. 🌱 More here: https://lnkd.in/ggU9aNvq

Great to showcase our new office during SF Climate Week last night as part its first ever Latin America Track in collaboration with Reciprocal. With attendance exceeding expectations (by far!), we hosted a great panel discussion titled 'Empowering Climatetech Innovation in Latin America' with an enthusiastic audience. Thank you to Reciprocal for organizing the entire LatAm track this week (Carrasco Waldo Soto Bruna, Daniel Gajardo Gabriela) as well as our panelists last night (Thomas Wilson, Mauricio Kremer, Gonzalo Fuenzalida-Meriz) and María Gracia Lagos Soza from Copec WIND Ventures for organizing it from our end. #ClimateTech #Innovation #LatinAmerica #SFClimateWeek

🚀 Empowering the Future of Public Transportation with Our Investment in Optibus 🚌 At WIND Ventures, we are passionate about pioneering solutions that not only drive innovation but also foster sustainability and efficiency in key sectors. Today, we are proud to share our latest blog post on our strategic investment in Optibus, a leader in digital public bus transportation systems. Why Optibus? In the face of growing complexities within the trillion-dollar global public transportation market, Optibus stands out with its robust digital platform. This platform addresses critical challenges - from adapting to changing rider patterns to navigating labor shortages and advancing towards electrification. The Impact: Optibus' innovative software-as-a-service model is revolutionizing how cities manage public bus transportation, making operations more agile, efficient, and sustainable. It's about moving beyond outdated tools and embracing a future where technology drives public transportation forward. Our Commitment: WIND Ventures is excited to join forces with industry giants like Bessemer Venture Partners and Insight Partners in supporting Optibus' mission. This investment underscores our commitment to accelerating growth and improving lives in Latin America and beyond. More here ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/gDkRbM7d

We're thrilled to announce our strategic investment in Optibus, a leader in software platforms for sustainable public transportation. 🚀 This partnership marks a significant leap towards bus electrification across #latam aiming to revolutionize urban mobility with efficient, accessible, and sustainable solutions. With Optibus' innovative approach and our commitment to accelerating the energy transition, we're not just electrifying buses; we're reimagining the future of transportation. The electric bus market in Latin America presents an unprecedented sustainability and impact opportunity, with an expected increase from 4,000 to 25,000 e-buses by the end of the decade. 🌍💡

For the first time since we started our Emerging Growth Markets VC survey in 2019, Latin America has been identified as the hottest growth market for startups outside of North America and Western Europe. 🚀 This marks a significant shift, with Latin America overtaking China and Southeast Asia in investor interest. Key Findings: - Latin America is now viewed as the top growth market, chosen by 37% of respondents, showcasing a remarkable rise in confidence since 2020. - The region's large market size and high rate of tech adoption are key attractions, with a notable increase in positive perception among investors. - Fintech is the leading sector for investment in Latin America, with climate tech and energy also identified as crucial areas needing innovation. Brian Walsh, head of Copec WIND Ventures, emphasized the opportunity: “The region’s potential for technology adoption, driven by its digital transformation, is immense. With a total market larger than the United States - 650 million people - the promise of Latin America's markets is clear. We're excited to support global startups in leveraging these dynamic opportunities.” For a deeper dive into our findings, check out our medium post here: https://lnkd.in/gTwveJ5X   #StartupGrowth #LatinAmerica #CVC

🚀 Thrilled to share insights from Copec WIND Ventures' Fourth Annual Growth Markets Survey, spotlighting Latin America as the prime growth market for startups outside of NA or EU! 🌎 Our comprehensive survey among venture capitalists reveals a significant shift with 37% viewing Latin America as the most compelling region for startup expansion, outpacing China and Southeast Asia. This change underscores the region's tech-enabled transformation and its burgeoning potential. Key findings: - Latin America emerges as the top choice, surpassing China's previous dominance. - Market size and high tech adoption rates are pivotal for VCs when exploring new regions. - Fintech leads as LatAm's hottest investment sector, with climate tech and energy also critical areas. As WIND Ventures continues to fuel global startups' journey into Latin America, we're excited about the endless possibilities this dynamic market offers. Dive into our survey's full findings and discover how we're leveraging Copec's vast resources to accelerate growth across new mobility, energy, and retail sectors. https://lnkd.in/gx5YgeuM

It has become our annual tradition to assemble our thoughts on what will happen in the sectors we invest in the coming year. 🚀 As we kick off 2024, our investment sectors of mobility, energy, and retail are poised for significant market breakthroughs. Our key predictions include increased climate-tech investments, innovations in HVAC systems for energy efficiency, and the emergence of superior shared EV charging solutions. Metals supply chains will face disruptions, and the grid's fragility will drive a push for resilient solutions. Additionally, expect AI-powered search from Amazon and the rise of live commerce.   WIND Ventures is thrilled to be at the forefront of these transformative trends, leveraging our position to accelerate growth in Latin America and beyond.    Stay tuned for an exciting 2024! 💡🌐    Check out our medium post for more predictions here: https://lnkd.in/ggPW9tKV Bob Ma Mark Dryden María Gracia Lagos Soza Francisco Larrondo

The transportation sector, responsible for a quarter of global GHG emissions, is at a critical juncture. For specific sectors, like mining, the challenge is particularly acute. 80% of the mining sector’s CO2 emissions come from diesel. Facing mounting pressure from regulators, investors, and customers, mining companies seek to decarbonize their operations. This is why we invested in INERATEC , a startup revolutionizing the industry with its decentralized "oilfield of the future." 🌍 INERATEC offers a carbon-neutral drop-in replacement for fossil diesel. Its miniaturized tech, like Lego blocks, achieves fuel production at various scales, making e-fuels affordable. The technology is efficient and flexible, producing certified fuels for mining, aviation, shipping, and more. It eases the burden on customers, shifting decarbonization responsibilities. We look forward to partnering INERATEC to bring this tech to Chile's transportation markets. Chile's renewables, carbon, and hydrogen abundance make it an ideal location for decentralized fuel production. 🚀 Find out more about Why we Invested in INERATEC in our blog post here: https://lnkd.in/gPZaR2VZ