The 2026 edition of the Volcano Summit will be developed under the concept “Echoes of Expansion”, a theme that seeks to reflect the growth of a regional community that, according to the organizers, is committed to strengthening connections between people, companies and institutions to promote the economic and technological development of Latin America.
The announcement comes in a context marked by the acceleration of technologies such as artificial intelligence, automation and new digital collaboration models. Faced with these changes, the organizers of the Volcano Summit maintain that the growth of Latin America will depend not only on access to technology and capital, but also the ability to build networks of trust and long-term cooperation.
From an event to a regional platform
Since its founding in 2018, Volcano has evolved from an annual meeting to a platform focused on connecting different actors in the innovation ecosystem. The organization reports that currently brings together more than 10 thousand members from more than 45 countries, between startups, investment funds, corporations, universities, scientists, artists and business leaders. Likewise, it claims to have facilitated more than 100 thousand strategic connections within its network.
The platform operates different initiatives focused on strengthening the entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem. Among them, the Volcano Innovation Summit stands out, as its main meeting space; Startup Avenue, aimed at the development of emerging companies, and Volcano4Good, focused on social impact and sustainability projects.
The work areas cover artificial intelligence, innovation, technology, investment, entrepreneurship, sustainability, creativity and well-being, sectors that will have a leading role during the next edition of the event.
International speakers
The organization reported that it already has a list of confirmed speakers from America, Europe and the United States, who will share experiences related to business innovation, technology, investment and leadership.
Among them is Cristóbal Perdomo, co-founder and general partner of Wollef, recognized for participating in investments in Latin American technology companies such as Nubank, Kavak, Konfío, Loft and Jeeves. will also participate Ivana María Moreno Valle, executive director of Daliaa platform focused on female leadership.
The agenda will also include Nikita Farenholz, co-founder of Delivery Heroconsidered one of the most relevant technology companies in Europe; Beatriz de los Mozos, founder and executive director of the Spanish firm Flalabelus, and Ed Soo Hoo, Lenovo executive with experience at companies such as Oracle, HP and Unisys.
Likewise, Rolando Carvajal, general manager of Heineken Costa Rica, will participate; Kim Tan, co-founder of Transformational Business Network and international leader in impact investing; Oke Okaro, former senior vice president of business operations at the Walt Disney Company, and Alejandro Zárate, director of data and artificial intelligence at Banco Santander México.
The list also includes Abdon Nacif, founder of the fintech Nexu; Katya Echazarreta, former engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the first woman born in Mexico to travel to space, and Dileep Thazhmon, founder and CEO of Jeeves, a company valued at more than $2 billion.
Promotion of Latin American startups
One of the pillars of the meeting will continue to be Volcano Startup Avenue, an initiative that seeks to accompany entrepreneurs during the different stages of growth of their businesses.
The platform offers membership, acceleration and competition programs aimed at startups. For the 2026 edition, Volcano will select 50 startups from Latin America to participate in an intensive process of mentoring, business strengthening and preparation for raising capital.
Participants will have the opportunity to present their projects during the Volcano Summit Demo Day before international investors, corporations and leaders of the global innovation ecosystem, with the aim of generating financing and expansion opportunities.
Innovation with social impact
In addition to the spaces oriented to business and technology, the organization reported that it will continue to promote social impact initiatives through Volcano4Good.
Among the notable projects is a collaboration between FUNDEGUA and Nutrilisto to combat chronic childhood malnutrition in Guatemala through digital health tools, artificial intelligence and community education. As part of this initiative, Nutrilisto’s technical knowledge will be incorporated into ALMA, a digital platform developed by FUNDEGUA.
The alliance also includes the use of almaRED, a smart assistant integrated into WhatsApp that will allow health workers, community promoters and families to access information related to child nutrition, medical protocols and educational materials.
Guatemala as a regional connection point
For the Volcano Summit, Latin America is going through a decisive stage in which it could position itself as one of the main innovation centers for the coming decades. Under this vision, the organization seeks to strengthen Guatemala as a bridge between North America, Central America and South America, taking advantage of the country’s ability to connect talent, investment and opportunities.
The 2026 edition of the Volcano Innovation Summit will precisely seek to consolidate that role, through spaces where entrepreneurs, investors, corporations and global leaders can generate alliances and projects with regional impact.
With the motto “Echoes of Expansion”, the event aims to reinforce the idea that innovation does not depend only on technological advances, but also on construction of communities capable of collaborating and generating long-term sustainable transformations.