Technology-based startups in Costa Rica make up a sector that is still expanding, but with the potential to contribute to the country’s economic growth. This is clear from the study Radiography of technology-based startups in Costa Rica: drivers of economic growth and well-being, prepared by the State of the Nation Program (PEN).
To build the report, the PEN consulted 97 startups that create, adapt, or use technology-based knowledge between 2018 and 2020.
According to the results released this Thursday, these ventures generate, on average, four jobs. In the initial stages, most are part-time, but as the startup consolidates, they become primarily full-time.
It is precisely in these last stages of growth and consolidation that the potential to positively impact the economic growth of the country increases, as it is an engine of new quality employment, according to the PEN.
Two thirds of the entrepreneurs surveyed have received support, mainly in the incubation process.
The main areas in which he is dedicated are information and communication technologies (ICT) and education. Most have been in operation for less than three years.
The PEN detected that the typical profile of the entrepreneur is a man between 26 and 35 years old. Only 18% of entrepreneurs are women.
Most of these startups are currently looking for partners to be able to expand within and outside the country.
However, the study indicates a disparity in the opportunities for these ventures within the country.
58% of startups belong to the province of San Jos, while only 10% are located in areas outside the Greater Metropolitan Area (GAM). The province of Limón was the only one that did not have any representation.
“Outside of the central region, there is no minimum threshold of supportive actors that promote the emergence of startups. This accentuates the negative spiral of development opportunities in the periphery and more markedly on the coasts ”, the report indicates.
The PEN also made an X-ray of public and private institutions that offer seed capital and venture capital that drive startups in their initial phases.
Among these, the study mentions Auge, Caricaco, Carao, Procomer, Parque TEC, among others.
