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The Startup Ecosystem of Cali

Cali has 147 startups in our sample database. This represents about 9% of Colombia’s startups. Cali is the 3rd best startup ecosystem in Colombia.

CITY RANKING

In 2024, the startup scene of Cali shows much promise after advancing in the Global Ecosystem Index by 1 spot.

National Ranking

3rd
0
In Colombia

Regional Ranking

13th
0
In South America

Global Ranking

281st
+
1
Worldwide

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Cali Ecosystem Partner logo

Ecosystem

Startup Ecosystem Overview

Cali painting
Cali, located in Colombia, has emerged as a thriving startup ecosystem and an attractive destination for relocation and investment. It boasts a strong educational foundation, with Icesi University recognized as the top university in Colombia by Times Higher Education. This esteemed institution nurtures talent and produces graduates well-equipped for the demands of the startup landscape.


The region of Cali and Valle del Cauca has established itself as a technological hub, housing prominent software development companies like Carvajal, Siesa, Open, and Óptima. This concentration of tech expertise provides fertile ground for collaboration and access to skilled professionals.


Cali offers valuable support to startup projects and companies through its extensive mentorship and counseling network. With over 200 mentors and counselors available, startups receive guidance and advice to navigate organizational challenges, fostering growth and success.


Colombia, including Cali, offers a digital nomad visa, enabling remote workers employed outside the country to relocate and contribute to the local economy. This visa program attracts international talent and fosters a diverse entrepreneurial community.


The Cali Chamber of Commerce plays a vital role in improving infrastructure and support networks for small businesses and startups. With a focus on innovation, the chamber actively promotes entrepreneurial growth and prosperity in the region.


In summary, Cali’s startup ecosystem stands out with its top-notch education institutions, abundance of talent, robust infrastructure, attractive public sector incentives, and dedicated organizations focused on fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. These factors position Cali as an ideal destination for individuals and businesses seeking to thrive in a dynamic and supportive startup environment.

Startups

Cali Top Startup Industries

Foodtech icon
Foodtech
#100 worldwide

5 startups

Edtech icon
Edtech
#187 worldwide

9 startups

Fintech icon
Fintech
#199 worldwide

15 startups

Ecosystem HealthCheck

Cali Ecosystem Health Check

The health check tables allow you to look at the performance Cali has in each of the parameters that are part of StartupBlink's ranking algorithm. There are five tables, corresponding to the three subscores, the subscore analysis and industry ana...

  • Overperformance
  • Performance equal to global ranking
  • Underperformance
IndustryGlobal rankMomentum YoYNumber of Startups
Global281194025

ECOSYSTEM

Browse the startup ecosystem database of Cali

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Startup Ecosystem Charts

Startup Funding in Cali2017 - 2024

Startup Funding in Cali 2017 - 2024

From 2022 to 2023, startup funding in Cali has increased by 1428.57%. During this period, the number of deals in Cali has increased by 50%. Since 2017, total startup funding in Cali exceeded US$ $29.47M.

Average Funding in 2023

$2.68M

Cali
Colombia
+919.05% YoY

Funding in 2023

$16.05M

Cali
Colombia
+1428.57% YoY

Deals in 2023

6

Cali
Colombia
+50.00% YoY

USD

Amount of Funding (USD)

Number of Deals

20172018201920202021202220232024$0.00$15.00B$30.00B$45.00B$60.00B036912

Ecosystem

The Startup Ecosystem in Cali

Startups in Cali excel in Foodtech, Edtech, and and Fintech. There are some notable success stories contributing to the city’s growing Foodtech industry. One of the most promising startups in Cali in 2024 is Fanki, Tranqui, and Seeri.

Global Rank

Cali is ranked within the top 300 startup ecosystems globally.

Top Industries

Cali’s startups excel particularly in Foodtech where it ranks 100 and in Edtech, and Fintech. Find out more

Top Cities for Startups in Colombia - Ranked by StartupBlink

StartupBlink ranks the startup ecosystems of more than 100 countries and 1,000 cities. Download our latest Global Startup Ecosystem Report.
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2024 National Rank CityGlobal Rank
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Total Score
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Quantity Score
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Quality Score
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Business Score
No Data Available
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Startups

Notable Startups in Cali
Fanki startup icon
Fanki
Tranqui startup icon
Tranqui
Seeri startup icon
Seeri

ECOSYSTEM

Why should you join Cali's Startup Ecosystem?

Overview

Within Cali there is an increased attraction for entrepreneurs to set up their startups in industries such as Foodtech, Edtech, Fintech. These three industries represent about 20% of the startups represented on the Startup Ecosystem Map of Cali.

3rd

National Rank

13th

Regional Rank

Overview

Cali is Colombia's 3rd best startup ecosystem and is ranked 13th in South America. With a population of 2M - 10M people, Cali is ranked 281st in the world. The city has some notable startup success stories including Fanki.

ECOSYSTEM
Startup Infrastructure in Cali
With a large variety of initiatives, Cali's startup ecosystem stands out from other cities in South America. Cali offers a number of funding opportunities for entrepreneurs and startups. Below is a list of Cali's most prominent support initiatives:

BLOG

Recent Posts

Mon Apr 14 2025

From Service-Based to Product-Based Economy – Lessons from North Macedonia

In this special episode of the Startup Ecosystem Podcast, we revisit a conversation from two years ago, recorded during a visit to North Macedonia. Eli David Rokah, CEO of StartupBlink, sits down with Igor Madjov, founder of Startup Macedonia, to explore how Skopje is evolving from a service-based IT outsourcing city into a product-driven startup […]

Wed Apr 02 2025

Corporate Startup Activity Index 2025

For the first time ever, 372 corporations across 30 countries, 11 major industries, and 10 sub-industries have been ranked based on how actively they engage with startups. StartupBlink’s Corporate Startup Activity Index  is the world’s first benchmark for corporate startup engagement — powered by real data, global partnerships with top corporations, governments and data sources, […]

Thu Mar 06 2025

The Impact of Government Support on Startups

A robust startup ecosystem creates a sense of community that brings entrepreneurs together and helps them feel less isolated. It gives them access to mentors, advisors, fellow entrepreneurs, and talents. The foundation of such an ecosystem largely relies on government support. Good policies create a fair and supportive environment that helps startups grow. Bad policies […]