Panama is represented on the global stage by the startup Tizo, whose founder, Adriana González, has been named one of the 10 finalists for the 2026 Aurora Tech Award, an international prize organized by inDrive. Following a rigorous selection process that evaluated over 3,400 startups from 127 countries, Tizo, an AI-powered platform for inclusive commerce, will represent Panama in the final in Santiago, Chile. Currently in the seed stage, the startup aims to reduce barriers to digital commerce and expand financial inclusion in communities traditionally underserved by the banking system. The ten finalists will present their projects in Santiago, competing for non-dilutive funding and direct access to a network of over 40 venture capital funds allied with the program. González's participation highlights the country's potential for developing innovative solutions with regional and international reach. Tizo is an AI-enabled messaging platform that facilitates online transactions for unbanked buyers and small businesses in Latin America through networks of local stores. Among these funds are DPI Venture Capital, Ventures Platform, Janngo Capital, Sarmayacar Ventures, SuperSeed, Imagine Ventures, and Plus VC. The announcement of the Aurora Tech Award is particularly relevant given that, according to 2025 data, founding teams composed exclusively of women received only 1.4% of the total global venture capital funding.
