South and North America

The Americas have always been lands of opportunity. Prehistoric settlers and modern immigrants alike have looked to the New World
for a fresh start in greener pastures. More than anything, the Americas offer variety and choice: from the rich, established
and progressive economies of Canada and the United States to the fledgling, promising new opportunities of Latin America,
these two continents offer something for everyone.

Countries in the Americas

North America is a continent rich in economic opportunity and is the largest and most highly-developed economy in the world. The U.S. dollar is the most-used currency in international transactions. The South American continent represents the economy of 12 nations, with Chile and Brazil leading the pack in terms of wealth. Regional economies experienced a growth-spurt in the 1990’s, when the South American nations adopted a Free-Market economy and overcame the debt crisis. Today, mining, agriculture and forestry are South America’s major industries.

Canada

Canada’s economy is mixed and highly developed. It has the 10th biggest nominal GDP and 17th biggest PPP GDP in the world. The country’s economic history started with hunting, farming, and trading by its indigenous inhabitants.

Mexico

Mexico is the 15th largest recipient of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the world and is known as one of the emerging countries most open to FDI. Mexico is the 11th largest economy in the world and has an exceptionally skilled and highly stable labor force.

Argentina

Argentina’s emerging markets are growing and as overall market conditions are improving, the sovereign risk is falling. Impact investment, which was vehemently opposed by the previous government, is being embraced, and conditions favourable to these investments are being fashioned. I

Brazil

Brazil is active in several industries including mining, agriculture, services and manufacturing and has been expanding its presence in the global commodities markets. Brazil is one of the major exporting countries in the world with major exports including electrical goods, coffee, orange juice, soya beans, corned beef, aircraft, footwear, textile items, iron and steel.

United States

The United States is the leading global military power and a formidable force politically, culturally and academically. US economy is fueled by natural resources and a high level of productivity.

North America is a continent rich in economic opportunity and is the largest and most highly-developed economy in the world.

Companies Investing in the Americas

America’s Fortune 500 companies represented two-thirds of the U.S. GDP in 2017. Together, these companies amassed $12 trillion in revenue and made $840 billion in profits. There are no surprises among the leading-players, with Apple listed as the third most profitable company, and Walmart holding the coveted number one position. Other big players are AT&, and retail-giant Amazon. The Americas offer fertile ground for companies wishing to establish themselves there or grow their current operations into the region.

GP Investments

GP Investments is a Brazilian alternative investment company with a focus on technology investments. Learn about the company’s history and find out about its most significant investments.

Socialatom Ventures

Socialatom Ventures is a seed capital firm founded by entrepreneur and investor Andrés Barreto. The company invests in global tech startups located across the Americas and are pioneers in the recent entrepreneurial ecosystem development in Latin America.

Princeville Capital

Princeville Capital is a US-based investment company which is focused on growth-stage technology companies.

Redpoint Ventures

Redpoint Ventures, an American investment firm that invests in local industry giants as well as a variety of companies in South America, particularly in Brazil and Colombia.

Benchmark

Benchmark, a top Silicon Valley investment firm that has been making waves with investments in France. Discover how the boom in investment in French technology companies has spurred on top investment firms like Benchmark.

SoftBank Capital

SoftBank Capital, a top US-based investment company involved in all investment stages, with focus on technology, mobile telecommunications, and SaaS.

Avalon Ventures

Avalon Ventures is an early stage venture capital fund particularly focused on making investments in information technology, biotechnology, healthcare, pharmaceutical, venture capital and life sciences.

XponentialWorks

XponentialWorks is a venture capital firm based in California. Read about the company’s history and investments.

The Americas offer fertile ground for companies wishing to establish themselves there or grow their current operations into the region.

Investors in the Americas

The United States is one of the most popular countries in the world for foreign investment. It has many competitive advantages which help it hold this coveted position. These include its open regulatory environment, leading consumer market and culture that supports entrepreneurism and innovation. The United Kingdom is the largest direct investor in the US, followed by Japan, The Netherlands, Canada and, surprisingly due to its tiny size, Luxembourg.

James Ahern

James “Jim” Ahern is the managing partner of Laidlaw & Company UK and the founder of Laidlaw Venture Partners (LVP).

Bedy Yang

Bedy Yang is an American investment specialist who is highly skilled in entrepreneurship, venture capital investments and startups.

Jocelyn Goldfein

Jocelyn Goldfein is the managing director at Zetta Venture Partners. Read more about her investments and ventures.

Steve Case

Steve Case is an American businessman who introduced the world to AOL. Find out about his business ventures.

Eduardo Saverin

Eduardo Saverin, the Brazilian investor and entrepreneur who co-founded Facebook. Find out more about his life and read about the other significant investments he has made.

Charlie Songhurst

Charlie Songhurst is a US-based but British-born individual angel and advisor who has personally invested in around 500 companies throughout his career, predominantly in Europe.

Andrés Barreto

Andrés Barreto, a Colombian-American entrepreneur who is involved with several investments that tie the US to Latin America.

Paul Buchheit

Innovation and free thinking are guiding principles for Paul Buchheit. His work at Y Combinator and the many angel investments which he nurtures are a testimony to his application of these principles in daily life.

Carl Icahn

Carl Icahn is a high profile American business magnate, investor and philanthropist. He is listed as number 27 on Forbes’ ‘World’s Billionaires’ list (2017)

Featured Stories from the Americas

Read our featured stories from around the American continents, and discover the latest investment developments and trends that may help shape your view of the region.