Women leading Latin America’s climate transition
In Latin America, women represent more than a quarter of all entrepreneurs – yet only 5% of start-ups in the climate tech sector are founded by women. It’s a stark gap in a field that urgently needs diverse leadership and bold innovation. The CATAL1.5°T Initiative is addressing this challenge by placing gender equity at the centre of its work to accelerate climate entrepreneurship across the region.
Since women are often disproportionately affected by climate change, they are key to building equitable, low-carbon economies. With access to tools, capital, and networks, they can lead meaningful change. Yet in Latin America, women-led ventures still receive only around 5% of impact investment capital (UN Women, 2021) and often lack the technical support needed to scale their solutions.
CATAL1.5°T's commitment to gender equality
To address these challenges, CATAL1.5°T has built a gender lens into every stage of its work across eight countries: Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, the Dominican Republic, Peru, and Mexico. This approach includes not just support, but intentional design:
Climathons, for example – hackathon-style events that generate local climate solutions –- are run with a gender equity goal, aiming for 50% female participation. In our acceleration and pre-acceleration programmes, women-led ventures are actively encouraged to apply. The selection process promotes gender balance, provides specialized mentoring, and includes affirmative scoring –- giving higher points to women-led ventures to help level the field.
This commitment goes beyond quotas. It’s about creating conditions for long-term success by expanding access to finance, knowledge, and support networks.
Mujeres de Cambio en Climate Tech – a new platform
CATAL1.5°T is working to dismantle the structural barriers that limit women’s participation in building sustainable, climate-smart solutions. One key programme is the regional platform "Mujeres de Cambio en Climate Tech" (“Women Driving Change in Climate Tech”), launched in partnership with Mexican media platform Disruptivo TV and Fomento Social Banamex, the social investment arm of Citibanamex, one of Mexico’s largest banking institutions.
Mujeres de Cambio en Climate Tech was created to connect and strengthen women-led innovation in the region. It will support a community of 200 women entrepreneurs, offering tools, training, and targeted support.
Out of those, 60 will receive personalized technical assistance, and three will be selected for seed capital. Measurable goals include growth in customer reach, investment raised, and business development milestones.
Paving the way: for women and a sustainable future
With gender-responsive programmes and strong partnerships, CATAL1.5°T is helping close the gender gap in climate tech. By supporting women’s leadership and fostering inclusive innovation, the Iinitiative is paving the way for a more sustainable and equitable future in Latin America.
"Mujeres de Cambio en Climate Tech" plays an important role in this and is now open to applicants from all over Latin America.
To read more about the event, click here below:
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© GIZ/Josué García