Xpand Ventures, Grupo Clarín’s new corporate VC, has opened applications for their accelerator open to high-potential companies searching for early-stage funding. Xpand will select up to 5 companies through 2017, which will each receive a US$50k-US$250k investment along with additional benefits.

(Press Release) The accelerator is focusing on companies applying technology to agriculture (AGtech), finance (Fintech), insurance (Insurtech), electronic commerce (E-commerce), sales leads (Lead Generation/ Lead Closing) and digital media solutions (ADtech).

Xpand Ventures is selecting up to 5 companies throughout 2017, each receiving a USD 50k -250k investment along with benefits such as consulting, mentoring, co-working space and advertising; thus enhancing their growth and internationalization.

Applying companies should be operating in Argentina and being able to show strong sales and customer acquisition metrics. Xpand Ventures especially looks for companies applying Data Science, IoT (Internet of Things) and high-speed mobile internet to their solutions. Xpand Ventures is led by Vanesa Kolodziej, an entrepreneur and investor with over 15 years of experience creating tech-companies and making venture capital investments.

“We want to leverage projects which innovate in our country’s strategic verticals such as agriculture, a worldwide recognized Argentinean sector. Our country is in the ideal situation to meet the growing food demands, it only needs to apply new technologies along the production chain,” says Kolodziej, the accelerator’s General Manager.

Xpand Ventures is currently operating in Barracas, Buenos Aires City, and will be opening two accelerators more in Córdoba and Mendoza to diversify VC funding opportunities in Argentina. “We select high-impact tech-entrepreneurs prioritizing knowledge and job creation across the country” said Kolodziej.