• The acceleration program is ISA’s response to the challenges of economic reactivation in the region, based on the purpose to inspire and call on others to work on solutions for the benefit of humanity.
• The increase of up to 55% in sales compared to the same period of the previous year is part of the proof of the growth process during the provided assistance.

After four months of commitment to innovation as an engine of change for society, the acceleration program that arose from the alliance between ISA and Rockstart, to leverage economic reactivation in the region through the acceleration of 10 startups with a focus on positive social or environmental impact, culminates with excellent results.

Within the positive balance, and as part of the evolution of the process, comprehensive mentoring spaces were generated for the startups by Rockstart on different fronts: product development, financial models, impact indicators, legal aspects, marketing, UX / UI, growth, fundraising (Venture Capital), leadership, among others. In addition, the startups were registered in the lifetime program offered by the accelerator to its trainees.

One of the most significant and beneficial moments for the participants was the Demo Day, the closing event that generated a space for interaction that allowed the creation of more than 40 connections between the participating startups with funds, investors, and corporations, and which was the starting point of an investment round with financing possibilities equivalent to approximately USD 1 million.

“Our goal was to inspire and convene others to work on solutions for the benefit of humanity and with this partnership we accomplished it, we can proudly say that the program achieved that each startup could develop a viable product and business model to maintain growth in future rounds of investment. This program is just the beginning to promote the development of the innovation ecosystem with ventures that generate positive impact in the region,” stated Agostinho João Almeida, ISA’s Corporate Director of Innovation.

In total, more than 320 startups in Latin America applied to the program, and those selected were initiatives focused on solving problems of connectivity, education, mobility, sustainability, inclusion, and gender. As a common factor and as a result of the assistance exercise, the participants highlighted that through the program “they changed our way of thinking about the path to growth”, due to favorable results such as the 2,5X growth of their startup, the generation of new jobs, the increase of up to 55% in sales compared to the same period of the previous year, among other reasons.

Felipe Santamaría, Managing Director of Rockstart LATAM said: “We would like to congratulate the new Rockstars who work every day to grow their business and generate a positive impact. This program, these months of support to entrepreneurs is just the beginning of the relationship and support; together with ISA we hope to continue supporting entrepreneurs and many more.”

In short, this startup acceleration strategy reflects the commitment of ISA and Rockstart to promote economic reactivation, in addition to addressing and promoting affairs on the global agenda such as climate change mitigation and adaptation, the rational use of resources, the development of programs that generate a positive impact on the environment, and the comprehensive development of communities.

About Rockstart

Rockstart, has implemented more than 30 programs globally in which it has invested in more than 260 startups over the last 10 years. With this experience, Rockstart has achieved that the startups that go through its program have a Funding Rate (capital raised after the program) of 80%. In turn, after going through the Rockstart program, startups have achieved up to 4X growth in the 4 to 6 months of the program.

About ISA

ISA, a company of the Ecopetrol Group, is a multi-Latin company with more than 54 years of experience and track record that operates in the Electric Power Transmission, Road Concessions, and Telecommunications and ICT business units, providing quality of life to millions of people in Colombia, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, and Central America through the work of its 4.326 employees in its 47 companies.

ISA conducts business based on technical excellence, an efficient provision of services, and the creation of sustainable value for its stakeholders and society in general, leveraged on innovation and digital transformation, supported by best practices in corporate governance and ethics.

ISA and its companies are committed to the mitigation and adaptation to climate change, the rational use of resources, the development of programs that generate a positive impact on the environment, the comprehensive development of the communities where it operates, and the quality, reliability, and availability of the services it provides.

Selected companies: