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Start-Ups, Gender Disparities, and the Fintech Revolution in Latin America

Bernardo Bátiz-Lazo ^a

Ignacio González-Correa ^b

^aNorthumbria University, UK; Universidad Anáhuac, Mexico

^bUniversity of California, USA

The Emerald Handbook of Entrepreneurship in Latin America

ISBN: 978-1-80071-956-9, eISBN: 978-1-80071-955-2

Publication date: 23 June 2022

Abstract

This chapter considers the process of entrepreneurial activity to deploy financial technologies (fintech) through mandate-specific new companies in Latin America. We deal with important historical issues such as defining the term, establishing temporal and industrial activity boundaries, positioning this particular process within other organizational forms typical of the region, the role of women, and other relevant issues such as the modernization of retail payments and personal lending. A central question is whether fintech start-ups have had a “scissor” effect in the entrepreneurial process of Latin America: at the base of the pyramid (i.e., reducing frictions to support overall entrepreneurial activity, increasing financial inclusion, etc.) and near the top (by creating new business leaders). As a result, this chapter provides an initial assessment of gender disparities and barriers enabling women entrepreneurs in the fintech ecosystem.

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Acknowledgements

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank those participants in the Latin American fintech industry that contributed their time and insight into this research. We are also indebted to the helpful comments of Samuel Ackah, Araceli Almaraz Alvarado, Diego Bermudez, James Cunningham, Juan Felipe Espinosa, and Oscar Javier Montiel Méndez. Comments from participants in the first ReWomen (Researching Women of Management and Enterprise Network) webinar series were also very helpful to clarify ideas. As per usual, all shortcomings remain the responsibilities of the authors.

Citation

Bátiz-Lazo, B. and González-Correa, I. (2022), "Start-Ups, Gender Disparities, and the Fintech Revolution in Latin America", Montiel Méndez, O.J. and Alvarado, A.A. (Ed.) The Emerald Handbook of Entrepreneurship in Latin America, Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 221-242. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-80071-955-220221014

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited