WIND Ventures

WIND Ventures is the corporate venture capital (CVC) arm of Empresas Copec, a prominent Chilean conglomerate with significant operations across Latin America in sectors like energy, retail, and forestry. Established in 2019, WIND Ventures was founded with the strategic objective of identifying and investing in innovative startups that can bring disruptive technologies and business models to Copec’s core operations and expand its future growth avenues. This strategic alignment allows WIND Ventures to offer portfolio companies not just capital, but also unparalleled access to Copec’s vast market presence and operational expertise in Latin America, particularly in Chile, Colombia, Peru, and the United States.

The firm primarily focuses on early-growth stage companies, typically engaging in Series A and Series B funding rounds. Their investment thesis revolves around three key sectors: new mobility, energy transition, and future of retail. Within new mobility, they seek innovations in areas such as electric vehicle charging, last-mile delivery, and smart city solutions. In energy, their interest spans renewable energy, energy efficiency, and advanced materials. For retail, they look for technologies enhancing customer experience, supply chain optimization, and new commerce models. WIND Ventures typically deploys initial checks ranging from $1 million to $5 million, aiming to be a significant strategic partner rather than just a financial investor.

Beyond capital, WIND Ventures leverages Copec's extensive infrastructure and customer base to facilitate pilot programs, market entry, and scaling opportunities for its portfolio companies. This CVC model provides a unique value proposition, enabling startups to test and refine their solutions in real-world environments with a large, established enterprise. Their portfolio includes companies like Ampere, a provider of EV charging solutions, and Fill It, a mobile fueling service, showcasing their commitment to transforming Copec’s traditional business lines and exploring new frontiers.

WIND Ventures represents a forward-thinking approach to corporate innovation, bridging the gap between established industry leaders and agile startups. By strategically deploying capital and offering operational support, they aim to foster a symbiotic relationship that drives innovation for Copec while accelerating the growth of promising ventures. Their disciplined focus on sectors critical to Copec's future, combined with their hands-on approach, positions them as a distinctive player in the venture capital landscape, particularly for companies seeking to expand into Latin American markets.