11 startups from Peru you can’t miss in what’s left of 2020

Contxto – Yes, we all love Crehana, and we are proud to know it’s the startup of the hour and see it on the rise. Crehana has been a very successful and helpful tool during the pandemic, with a huge rise of users all over Latin America, along with some bigger investments.

However, the same fact that it’s growing at such a pace can overshadow smaller projects. But there are some pretty cool startups that deserve credit as well. 

• Related article: Edtech Crehana boosted by #StayAtHome and ALCP led investment 

Peru’s economic background

The Peruvian economy has experienced two distinct phases of economic development since the turn of the century. Between 2002 and 2013, Peru was one of the fastest-growing countries in Latin America, with an average GDP growth rate of 6.1 percent annually.

The above is the World Bank’s statements in its Peru’s Overview publication. Peru, like many other countries in the region, has not had an easy road. It has had a hard past, involving terrorism and terrible government decisions.

However, between 2014 and 2018, Peru’s GDP growth slowed down due to “mainly owing to lower international commodity prices”. Which led to a reduction in private investment, less income, and decreasing consumption. 

Even with some rough starts, Peru is opening its way to a more stable economy, with better GDP improvements than previous years. And even, an expected rapid economic recovery after Covid-19. 

The Peruvian startup ecosystem

Although Peru is a country that usually likes to stick to the traditional way of working, the Peruvian government began a mission to start investing in innovation. And a perfect excuse was to support the economy through entrepreneurship by having high-impact startups and the creation of more jobs. 

Peru has not yet witnessed a unicorn startup. But that doesn’t mean the country isn’t ready to start creating unicorns in the next few years. In fact, over the last decade, they’ve outdone themselves in terms of innovation. The country is a strong player when it comes to the fintech game. 

Peru is the fifth largest market in the region. With VCs (venture capitalists), such as Angel Ventures Peru, The Board, Escala.vc, Winnipeg Capital, and Wayra Perú. Wayra is the country’s first big accelerator. 

So, without further ado, here are 11 Peruvian startups that have been making some real noise:

Top 11 Peruvian startups in 2020:

Nanovida

Nanovida is a biotech project developed by former students of the Santa Maria Catholic University (UCSM). They created a healing, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic gel made out of silver-nanoparticles and extracts of native plants with high healing properties. 

The gel is especially aimed at individuals who have diabetes, since their skincare tends to be more delicate and the products available are expensive.

Nanovida is to be considered to work with one of the few “green” nanotechnologies around, since its development uses plants instead of toxic chemicals. It has already been tested at labs and was one of the winning contestants at StartUp Peru 2019. 

The creators also won the Startup Chile Seed 24G and were introduced at the INC Discover 2019 at the very first Health Innovation Award.

Kambista

Kambista is an online currency exchange platform that allows customers to easily exchange US dollars for Peruvian soles. Kambista claims to save customers from being charged any additional fees. 

The steps to follow are pretty simple:

You first list the amount you wish to exchange and the account where you wish to receive the payment. The platform then gives you a receipt you must keep in order to verify your order and then get the money, honey.

Whether it is through the website or the app, it also allows you to schedule reminders when there’s a fluctuation in the dollar exchange rate. 

Transactions work both on the app and website directly. With more than 300,000 successful transactions and more than half a billion exchanged dollars. 

Veronica Core

Veronica Core is an all-in-one smart analytics platform, developed by Veronica Technologies. The amount of analytics applications they provide is like something straight out of the future, and their main goal for all these apps is to provide top security surveillance all around Lima. 

Some of the services Veronica Core offers are:

Automatic license plate recognition, Face recognition, Object detection, Voice transcription, Big Data management, Container recognition, and tracking (they emphasize how easy it is to rob one), and computer-based street simulations. 

Veronica stands for “Video Efficient Recognition of Named Identities and Content Analysis”. They even have that sorted out. 

This project’s main reason for existence is due to a terrible car accident that occurred back in 2010. The culprits were never caught. Veronica’s creators believe that all would have been solved if the Veronica gadgets had been created before. 

Pixed Corp

Pixed Corp is a biotech project dedicated to the creation and development of inclusive technologies, such as prostheses, rehabilitation exoskeletons, splints, orthoses, and tools that help people with disabilities. 

Their 3D printed products aim to be affordable, high-quality, with personalized designs and a constant after-buy service experience. The team has delivered products all around the US, Chile, Brazil, El Salvador, and Honduras. 

Pixed Corp was also named the 7th generation StartUp Peru winner in 2019. 

Emptor.io

Emptor.io is an information software that automates knowledge processes with trusted data from their own internal database, governmental sources, and trusted web sources.

They provide precise information with customizable filters based on the client’s requirements, and their API allows integration with companies to launch the service in a couple of days.

They provide large scale identity and security services in Latin America, while building up trust to uphold the organization and its relationship through its products and services.

It was founded in New York by Peruvian entrepreneurs and employees. 

Vipa

Vipa is an app that allows citizens to report bad behavior in the streets. They do this by  recording problems like poorly made roadways and sidewalks, badly parked vehicles, and misbehaving pedestrians and authorities. 

What happens next is that the user must upload the video evidence, specifying what the fault is and where it took place. Afterwards, these recordings are reviewed by the relevant authorities and the user is notified when action has been taken.

Given Latin America’s terrible track record for roadway and pedestrian etiquette, the startup seems to have its work cut out for it. But this app seems to be taking their business very seriously. 

iPluton

An edtech that uses AI to help students get ready for their university admission exams. Their app provides short and concise lessons, specialized tests, and a personalized learning program through their app. 

iPluton also works as a website, where students can choose some of the best universities in Peru and do mock exams, covering the topics that the real deal might include. 

I wish I had this when I first entered college. Darn. 

Solven

Solven is a fintech that provides loans for customers, they seek to offer the cheapest loan with the banks affiliated with them. But the offer doesn’t stop there. If you enter your DNI (National Identity Document, the same as an official ID), their website provides you with your credit history and what are the most convenient transactions for you.  

Their service stands out for their high-speed, lack of bureaucracy and paperwork. With an entirely online and personalized support.

However, they see themselves as a bridge between financial institutions and customers. Any product or service you wish to acquire, runs entirely on financial institutions’ hands. 

DevCode

An e-learning platform that provides online courses around technological subjects, who seek to create and promote a community of web developers and designers. 

DevCode plans on expanding the community to all Spanish speaking countries. They have affordable plans and courses that cover different topics and coding languages, such as; CSS, Python, Java, Javascript and HTML. They also cover design, editing and animation programs.

Silabuz

Silabuz is a startup that connects Spanish-speaking students and professionals from around Latin America through online coding courses for kids. Their online courses seek to reinforce skills and awake curiosity in kids for today’s digital needs. 

The ranking ages they teach are 5 to 16 years old. They are introduced to Python, video game creation, and the basics of coding. Silabuz even offers scholarships for some bigger events and courses. 

Netzun

I’d say Netzun is the Peruvian “Masterclass”. Netzun offers courses from successful people in Peru from all areas. From social entrepreneurship and art, to successful businesses and motivational speeches. 

The platform also offers a certificate once you finish the course, allows you to have a forum with students and the instructors themselves. You learn at your own pace and keep the content once you’ve bought the course.

Netzun also allows you to register on their website so you can find the ideal job for you, based on your interests. 

I bet you didn’t know some of these. And there are obviously more to explore, but these were just a pick of them worth tracking. 

Related articles: Tech and startups in Peru!

-IvP