Venture Capital and Technology Entrepreneurship in Latin America: A Comparative Approach

Abstract

The purpose of this chapter is to investigate whether the venture capital (VC) availability influences the technology entrepreneurship (TE) in Latin America by adopting a comparative approach with high-income economies. By applying panel data methodology in a sample of 21 Latin American countries over the period 2006–2017, we find a positive effect of VC availability on the TE only in the sample of Latin American countries. This result contrasts with that obtained for the sample of high-income countries, where no significance is found. Based on the findings, we propose some policies to improve the entrepreneurial ecosystems of Latin American countries.