The Explosion of Fintech Startups in Latin America

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The explosion of Latin American fintech startups is largely due to an increase in scalable and easily accessible technologies (allowing founders to test their ideas more quickly and affordably), there is an increase of mobile technology consumers, a cross-border market, and healthy competition so far.

Fintech companies are revolutionizing the way of understanding, creating and providing financial services in modern times, providing new ideas and renewing the traditional formula of the sector through the use of information technologies, mobile applications and big data.

Discover how in the race to create innovative financial products, Latin America has not been left behind and has shown itself as fertile ground.

Today in Global Small Business: Working With An International Distributor

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What's affecting me, my clients, my colleagues and other global small business owners:

• Facebook aims to make shopping easier across its ecosystem.
• Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com Inc. has increased its presence in the emerging online grocery industry.
• Quote of the week: “We must create a kind of globalization that works for everyone...and not just for a few." – Nestor Kirchner
• Due to the region’s untapped potential, data has shown that Latin America is a leading region to grow your business.
• What you need to know for working with an international distributor (by Laurel Delaney).
• Even if you work locally, there’s a good chance that some of your employees or customers may speak other languages.

Where Is There a Treasure Trove of Overseas Opportunities for U.S. Middle Market Businesses?

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Oh come now.  You may think that Asian and European markets are the best and most prosperous markets to enter when expanding your business internationally.  Not according to a recent report, "Winning in the Americas."

The report, co-authored by the National Center for the Middle Market (NCMM) and TradeUp Capital Fund, a premier fundraising platform for globalizing companies, concludes that the best opportunities for U.S. middle market companies (those with annual revenues between $10 million and $1 billion) lies in Latin America.

Surprised?  So am I.  To feed your curiosity and to learn the facts, visit:  NCMM Report Finds that the US Middle Market is "Winning in the Americas"

While you are at it, take action on two other things that will help you expand your business internationally:

1. Sign up for TradeUp Capital Fund's newsletter
2. Determine the strength of an export market you wish to enter (new tool that is very cool!)

The Spirit of Latin America Lands With Latinicity in Chicago!

The spirit of Latin America lands in the heart of Chicago with Latinicity!  What is there not to love about food court Latinicity located at Block 37 (108 N. State)?  See for yourself.  

Photos courtesy:  ©Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

The Importance of the Spanish Speaking Market

Western Hemisphere Will Recover Faster Than Advanced Economies Despite Global Turmoil

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Latin America and the Caribbean are expected to emerge from the financial crisis earlier than the advanced economies, according to the latest Regional Economic Outlook: Western Hemisphere report of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Expect growth the second part of 2009. While growth in advanced economies may not turn positive until the middle of 2010.

Read more here.