Bitte beachten Sie, dass die von Ihnen aufgerufene Seite nicht in Ihrer Standardsprache vorliegt. Sie nutzen unsere Plattform nun in einer anderen Sprache.

Startups in Central America – statistics & facts

Central America is home to a nascent but fast-growing startup scene. As of June 2021, almost 900 private companies made up the Central American startup ecosystem, with the largest quantity of them based in Costa Rica. Commonly associated with violent crime and migration crises, what is less known is that the isthmus comprehended between Guatemala and Panama holds great potential for entrepreneurism. Central America is among the regions with the highest rates of entrepreneurship in the world. In 2020, more than 16 percent of adults in Guatemala and nearly 10 percent in Panama managed or owned a new business. Honduras and Nicaragua are also some of the Latin American countries with the highest percentage of self-employed workers.

Costa Rica, a startup haven

It is said that Costa Rica owes its name to Christopher Columbus who, impressed by the gold ornaments worn by the natives, baptized it as a “rich coast” at the time of conquest. This also holds true for the country’s recent history. In May 2021, the club of rich countries that form the OECD opened its doors to Costa Rica as their latest member. In the startup world, Costa Rica is home to the most thriving group of startups in Central America, composed of at least 98 companies. Telecommunications, computer programming, and education make up for the largest startup segments in the country. Decentral games, a virtual casino based on the Metaverse and Blockchain technologies, is one of the most notable examples of Costa Rican startup success.

Panama: from banking to fintech hub?

Worldwide (and sometimes, infamously) known for its banking industry, Panama shows great potential for fintech development. One reason is that over two million Panamanian consumers used digital payment services in 2021, nearly half of its population. In 2019, with at least 14 fintech initiatives, Panama had the largest fintech offer in Central America. Crypto-banking platform Aurora Labs, for instance, makes the cut among Panama's best funded startups.

El Salvador, a rising market

Surrounded by larger neighbors Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua, El Salvador is doing surprisingly well in the startup scene. Founded in 1972, Banco Cuscatlán has ventured into digital banking and turned into one of the most successful Central American companies at raising capital, accumulating investments for 37.5 million dollars as of June 2021. San Salvador-based hugo is a food delivery and transportation app that has caught quite the buzz in the region, gathering 13.7 million dollars in investments and servicing almost one million users.
This text provides general information. Statista assumes no liability for the information given being complete or correct. Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date data than referenced in the text.
Published by Statista Research Department, Feb 29, 2024

Key insights

Startup ecosystem size in Central America
3,299 private companies
Largest startup ecosystem in Central America
Costa Rica
Best rated startup city in Central America
San José (Costa Rica)
Get more insights

Editor’s Picks Current statistics on this topic

Value of venture capital investment in North, Central and South America from 1st quarter 2014 to 2nd quarter 2022 (in billion U.S. dollars)

Corporate Financing

Americas: VC investment value 2014-2022

Most innovative countries in Latin America and the Caribbean in 2023, by global innovation index score

Science & Research

Global innovation index in Latin America and the Caribbean 2023, by country

Number of fintech users in Central America in 2021, by country and segment (in millions)

Financial Services

Number of fintech users in Central America 2021, by country and segment

Related topics

Recommended

8

Recommended statistics

Overview

5

Overview

Leading startups

6

Leading startups

Fintech

5

Fintech

Funding

4

Funding

Ease of doing business

7

Ease of doing business

Innovation

4

Innovation

GovTech

3

GovTech

Further reportsGet the best reports to understand your industry

Startups in North America
Startups in North America
Startups in Brazil
Startups in Brazil
Fintech in Brazil
Fintech in Brazil
Crime in Central America
Crime in Central America
Venture capital in Mexico
Venture capital in Mexico
E-commerce in Central America
E-commerce in Central America
Insurtech in Brazil
Insurtech in Brazil
Banking industry in Central America
Banking industry in Central America

Contact

Get in touch with us. We are happy to help.
Statista Locations
Contact Meredith Alda
Meredith Alda
Sales Manager– Contact (United States)
Email
support@statista.com

Mon - Fri, 9am - 6pm (EST)

Contact Yolanda Mega
Yolanda Mega
Operations Manager– Contact (Asia)
Email
asia.support@statista.com

Mon - Fri, 9am - 5pm (SGT)

Contact Kisara Mizuno
Kisara Mizuno
Senior Business Development Manager– Contact (Asia)
Email
asia.support@statista.com

Mon - Fri, 10:00am - 6:00pm (JST)

Contact Lodovica Biagi
Lodovica Biagi
Director of Operations– Contact (Europe)
Email
eu.support@statista.com

Mon - Fri, 9:30am - 5pm (GMT)

Contact Carolina Dulin
Carolina Dulin
Group Director - LATAM– Contact (Latin America)
Email
latam@statista.com

Mon - Fri, 9am - 6pm (EST)

Menu