Erco Energía received investment from four international funds to accelerate the development of projects across several regions of Colombia.
In an unprecedented milestone, one of the companies participating in Ruta N’s Medellín Next program has closed a US$129 million Series C investment round with international funds, a financing stage typically associated with mature and established technology companies.
The company is Erco Energía, whose investors acquired an equity stake in exchange for their investment. This makes it the largest funding round in the history of a Medellín startup and the largest equity investment in Colombia so far in 2026.
"We are proud to have accompanied part of this journey through different programs and initiatives led by the District and Ruta N, such as Medellín Next. This achievement sends a powerful message: today, Medellín is experiencing one of its strongest moments for technology-based entrepreneurship and venture capital investment," said Carolina Londoño, Executive Director of Ruta N.
Next Utility Ventures, from Spain (with EPM as its main investor); Augment Infrastructure and Endeavor Catalyst, from the United States; and Norfund, from Norway, participated in the transaction. The investment increases the company’s capacity to develop and build clean energy projects across different regions of the country and supports the expansion of its portfolio. In addition to capital, the new partners bring expertise in infrastructure financing and new developments, strengthening the company’s capabilities to execute larger-scale initiatives.
"The transaction reaffirms the organization’s purpose of being a vehicle for energy growth and prosperity in Colombia, a country with enormous energy potential. With these investments, the company will be able to continue building infrastructure, sustainability and growth for the country and Colombians," explained Luis Fernando Gómez, CFO of Erco.
The District supports technology-based companies through strategies such as Medellín Next, which has supported more than 100 entrepreneurs over the past year; the StartIA platform, which brings together more than 700 ecosystem stakeholders; as well as Capital Semilla and the Entrepreneurship Route, which have provided specialized support to businesses and benefited 1,201 people.
Additionally, the support provided by the Medellín and Metropolitan Area Cooperation and Investment Agency (ACI) has been fundamental to these types of processes. In recent years, the agency has certified approximately US$10.8 million in foreign investment in the energy sector, generating 34 direct jobs. This momentum is further strengthened by a territory that concentrates nearly US$20 billion in corporate assets in the energy sector and generates 46% of Colombia’s energy.
This transaction also demonstrates that the talent and technology-based companies created in the District have the capacity to attract global investment, drive strategic industries and turn innovation into a driver of economic development, employment and opportunities for people.
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