IGNITION · PRE-SEED ACCELERATOR · BY POWERTRAIN VENTURES
Ignition is Powertrain Ventures' 10-week accelerator for Latin American founders who already have a product and first customers. Sharpen the product, the go-to-market and the raise, then pitch to the region's most active investors.
1,000+
FOUNDERS & INVESTORS IN THE NETWORK
100+
VCS & ANGELS AT DEMO DAYS EACH YEAR
10
WEEKLY SESSIONS, MOSTLY ONLINE
0%
EQUITY TAKEN FROM YOUR COMPANY
WHY IGNITION
You have a product and a few customers. Ignition is where you turn that into a company investors can back.
A seasoned early-stage team. Work every week with Powertrain's advisory team, top founders and expert mentors.
A direct line to capital. Meet active VC funds and angel investors, in Latin America and beyond.
360° support. Product, go-to-market and funding, worked on together so the pieces fit.
THREE TRACKS · ONE COMPANY
01
PRODUCT
Find real market validation and ship a product with an experience people come back to.
02
GO-TO-MARKET
Develop a sharp value proposition and learn to communicate it to the buyers who matter.
03
FUNDING
Financial analysis, investor communication and a fundraising plan, so you negotiate your pre-seed round from a position of strength.
HOW IT WORKS · 10 WEEKS
Most of the program runs online. One week brings the whole batch together in Monterrey.
STAGE 1 · ONLINE
Group mentoring and discussion on every key subject for founders, led by our team, top founders and expert mentors.
STAGE 2 · MONTERREY
A week of collaboration with your batch, where you refine and launch your renewed strategy.
STAGE 3 · ONLINE
Pitch to our investor network of angels, VC funds and corporations, and start raising your next round.
“
Leave with real momentum, not just slides.
ADMISSION · WHO WE BACK
We back founders tackling high-impact problems, with a preference for B2B startups disrupting legacy industries, a strong technical team and a robust AI strategy.
REQUIREMENT · IMPACT
You're solving an impactful problem that can transform our region.
REQUIREMENT · SCALABILITY
An exponentially scalable business model, preferably built on technology.
REQUIREMENT · TEAM
At least two full-time cofounders, one of them with technical skills.
REQUIREMENT · FOUNDER-MARKET FIT
Significant experience in the industry you're building for.
REQUIRED · PRODUCT
A working product. Ignition starts after the MVP, not before it.
REQUIRED · TRACTION
Initial traction you can show. It is required to apply.
NOT THERE YET?
Ignition needs a product and initial traction. The Makr incubator takes you from idea to a working product in six weekly sessions.
ALUMNI · ACCELERATED STARTUPS
FREQUENTLY ASKED
Q.01
No. Participation is non-dilutive: we don't take ownership in your company. We do prepare you to negotiate a pre-seed round with investors.
Q.02
Up to three team members.
Q.03
Not for most of it. Weekly sessions, workshops and Demo Day are online. The in-person week and extra pitch events happen in Monterrey, and we strongly encourage founders to travel for them.
Q.04
Ignition doesn't include schedulable 1-on-1 sessions. Admitted founders may be invited to an optional 1-on-1 advisory program, offered separately.
Q.05
Batch dates, eligibility details and the application live on the Powertrain Ventures accelerator page.
READY TO IGNITE?
Applications run through Powertrain Ventures. Check the next batch, apply, and get ready to meet the team.
HOW TO APPLY · 3 STEPS
1
Check the fit. Product in market, initial traction, two or more cofounders.
2
Complete the application on the Powertrain Ventures site.
3
Interview with our team. Get ready to talk through your company.
