Arturo Mercado

LATAM-Asia Innovation: Alliances and Startup Acceleration in 2026

06/01/2026

This year is crucial because the alliances between LATAM and Asia aim to turn the region into a bridge of knowledge and markets, facilitating technology transfer in sectors such as packaging, telecommunications, and healthtech, while strengthening transregional initiatives and digital infrastructure projects that could redefine Latin America's digital sovereignty.

Currently, Latin American startup delegations have found in Asia partners for technology transfer, supported by initiatives such as CIRCLEPACK 2026 and Andina Link Smart Cities Expo, which consolidate global trends and bring business opportunities to the region. These dynamics allow regional startups to connect with Asian markets and with Deep Tech actors excelling in investment and technological capabilities.

A highlighted component is the Humboldt project, described as an initiative that will connect South America with Asia-Pacific through a submarine cable in Chile, with capabilities that will transform the connectivity and digital sovereignty of the region. The development of this technological bridge is part of efforts to reduce dependence on certain networks and increase the resilience of regional digital infrastructures.

Efforts for industrial modernization and energy transition are also strengthened by cooperation between Asia and Latin America. In this framework, China and Brazil stand out in promoting renewable energies and associated technologies, while collaboration in health, AI, and agri-tech drives opportunities for startups with global reach. This ecosystem benefits from a long-term vision oriented towards efficiency and sustainability, key for sustainable growth from early-stage to scale.

Among the identified challenges are the uneven maturity among ecosystems, regulatory differences, and the need for more agile technology transfer cycles. Success will depend on building cultural trust among actors, sharing real use cases, and accelerating the training of founders to understand and apply Asian and Latin American trends in a practical and measurable way.

From the perspective of policies and institutional support, it is essential to promote a narrative based on data and evidence, reinforcing the importance of strategic alliances for regional competitiveness and the creation of high-value jobs. The 2026 vision suggests that investments in networking, training, and public-private collaboration projects can activate a global ambition startup ecosystem.

In summary, the trajectory towards 2026 points to a new paradigm of globalized innovation in which Latin America and Asia participate as equal partners to accelerate startups, develop technologies, and broaden market access routes, with benefits for founders, investors, and societies.

LATAM-Asia Innovation: Alliances and Startup Acceleration in 2026

ARTMERLOP S.A.S. de C.V.