Startup investment in Chile: how much venture capital startups raised in 2025 and what explains the jump
Startup investment in Chile reached US$813 million in 2025, 160% more than in 2024. But a single round explains 38% of it, and there were 21% fewer deals.
· 2 min read
Startup investment in Chile took a big leap in 2025. According to the 2026 Impact Report of the Chilean Venture Capital Association (ACVC), cited by La Tercera, Chilean startups raised US$813 million in venture capital, more than 160% above the US$311 million of 2024. That brings it close to the record US$898 million the ecosystem reached in 2023.
US$813 M
Total investment
+160% vs. 2024
274
Funding rounds
21% fewer than in 2024
US$2.9 M
Average ticket
+231%
Source: ACVC, 2026 Impact Report, via La Tercera (July 4, 2026)
View the data as a table
| Total investment | US$813 M | +160% vs. 2024 |
| Funding rounds | 274 | 21% fewer than in 2024 |
| Average ticket | US$2.9 M | +231% |
How much startup investment there was in 2025
What explains the jump: a single round
Behind the record lies a key fact: a single round explains 38% of the total. Runway, a generative AI startup co-founded by two Chileans but based in the United States, raised US$308 million. Without that deal, startup investment in Chile would have been US$505 million, still a 62% increase over 2024.
The other change is that there were fewer but larger rounds: deals fell 21% to 274, while the average ticket rose to US$2.9 million. In other words, funds concentrated their money in fewer companies.
AI at the heart of startup investment
Artificial intelligence is at the core of this wave. According to the same report, about 37% of startups in ACVC members' portfolios have AI at the center of their business. We have seen this in cases like SmartUp, which uses AI agents for logistics, and Aisoncore in mining technology.
Corfo's role
Corfo, Chile's economic development agency, has been the main driver of venture capital in the country. Since its creation, it has backed 73 funds, with US$1,079 million invested and 514 companies financed. But in 2025, funds backed by its credit lines invested US$21.1 million, 8.3% less than in 2024, and new companies financed fell from 21 to 17.
What it means for you
- There is more money, but in fewer hands. With larger rounds and fewer deals, raising capital is more competitive for early-stage startups.
- Look at the figure without Runway. The US$505 million without the largest round shows real ecosystem growth, more moderate than the 160% headline.
- AI attracts investors. More than a third of the startups in ACVC member funds work with AI. This article is for information only and is not investment advice.
Sources
- startup investment
- venture capital
- Chilean startups
- Corfo
- innovation
- artificial intelligence