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Press release
Parallel18 announces P18 Gen. 14, with 16 startups from 9 countries and $1.6 million in investment
The acceleration program of the Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust will offer a $100,000 investment to boost the selected local and international startups.
San Juan, Puerto Rico – June 8, 2026 – Parallel18, an entrepreneurship program of the Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust (PRSTRT), announced the 16 startups selected for the fourteenth generation of its international acceleration program P18, which will begin on Monday, July 6. For 16 weeks in Puerto Rico, these companies will participate in bootcamps, establish strategic business connections, gain access to parallel18’s investor network, and receive a $100,000 investment.
The announcement is backed by a solid track record: cumulatively, P18 has received over 9,000 applications, graduated 320 companies—41.3% Puerto Rican—and distributed $13.3 million in seed capital, according to the program’s most recent impact report. In Generation 13 alone, startups reported a combined valuation of $88.5 million and $1.95 million in revenue generated during the cohort.
“For the Trust, it is essential to invest in disruptive solutions that drive the economy and the well-being of citizens through entrepreneurship. P18 plays a key role in our mission to consolidate Puerto Rico as a center of innovation with international prestige,” highlighted Eng. Lucy Crespo, Chief Executive Officer of the PRSTRT.
The cohort brings together a diverse group representing industries such as EdTech, Health, Biotechnology, EdTech, among others, with startups from Argentina, Australia, Chile, Spain, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Uruguay, and the United States.
Among the selected local companies are two graduates of the BioLeap life sciences incubation program: Cultimar Technologies, which expands marine aquaculture capabilities to deep-sea fish sustainably, and Diversia Health, whose patented technology redefines clinical research by integrating participants and trials through advanced connectivity.
“During the curricular programming, the companies will be exposed to bootcamps focused on the transition from theory to practice for capital raising and investor relations management. Likewise, the founders will have the opportunity to visit local companies and participate in networking events, among other initiatives designed to integrate into Puerto Rico’s innovation ecosystem. We are extremely excited about the synergy that will develop in the coming weeks,” anticipated Dr. Héctor Jirau, Director Executive of parallel18.
In addition, P18 startups that raise private capital can benefit from the parallel18 Ventures subprogram and its matching fund, Matching Fund, a co-investment initiative designed to leverage the capital they secure and accelerate their growth. The fund focuses on entrepreneurs who raise capital from institutional and angel investors and who experience accelerated growth thanks to their innovative and scalable solutions.
Furthermore, participating P18 companies will benefit from the parallel18 Connect initiative. This resource is designed to foster and facilitate business opportunities between startups and corporate partners, cultivating relationships that drive innovation and growth. For startups, this means scaling their innovations and gaining market traction; for corporations, it means staying competitive through innovative solutions.
Meet the Official P18 Gen. 14:
Bootup Studios [USA, information technology]
Bumii [Colombia, HR Tech]
Comuhack [Chile, EdTech/Artificial Intelligence]
Comexsoft [Spain, Artificial Intelligence/Retail Analytics]
Cultimar Technologies [Puerto Rico/Aquaculture]
Delfi a la moda [USA, Artificial Intelligence/Commerce]
Diversia Health [Puerto Rico, HealthTech/Clinical Trials]
GOW Credit [Mexico, FinTech/SME Lending]
Kiddo [Colombia, Insurtech]
Monte Caldera [USA, Biopharmaceutical]
Pawer [Chile, Pet Health/Insurtech]
Roxxem [USA, EdTech/Artificial Intelligence]
SkinCheck [USA, Digital Health/MedTech]
Soy Menta [Argentina, HealthTech/ Clinical Management]
Surtly [Uruguay, Artificial Intelligence]
Totex Energy [Australia, Climate Tech/Renewable Energy]
Parallel18 Celebrates the P18 Gen. 14 DemoDay with 15 Startups from Eight Countries
The international acceleration program invested a total of $1.5 million in the startups, which, over the course of the curriculum, scaled their solutions and connected with parallel18’s network of investors and corporate partners.
San Juan, Puerto Rico, Thursday, October 15, 2026 – Parallel18, an investment platform within the entrepreneurship pillar of the Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust (PRSTRT), celebrated the P18 Gen. 14 DemoDay at its coworking space, where 15 innovative solutions were presented before a diverse audience of investors, corporate partners, and members of the startup ecosystem.
“This past July, we welcomed 15 startups from eight countries that arrived in Puerto Rico ready to scale, and today they leave with connections, capital, and a network that will stand by them well beyond these weeks. This is our first generation as an investment platform, and the caliber of this cohort confirms that we are on the right track. It has been a special year: TIME and Statista recognized us as one of America’s Best Incubators & Accelerators; the only organization from Puerto Rico in the ranking. We are just a few weeks away from closing out the year with pride and with our sights set on everything ahead for parallel18 and for the ecosystem,” said Dr. Héctor Jirau, Executive Director of parallel18.
P18 Gen. 14 featured solutions from the healthcare, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and educational technology industries, among others, with startups hailing from Argentina, Chile, Spain, Mexico, Colombia, Puerto Rico, Uruguay, and the United States.
Prior to their arrival, these companies successfully completed an initial due diligence process, a four-week virtual evaluation, that allowed them to advance to the curriculum of mentorship and connections with the Puerto Rico ecosystem. Each startup received a $100,000 investment, for a total of $1.5 million invested in this generation. During their participation, the international acceleration cohort impacted over 85 companies and acquired around 170,000 users on their platforms. In addition, the 15 companies with global potential generated more than $1.7 million in revenue in just 14 weeks.
“Every generation of P18 we celebrate is a reaffirmation of our mission: to strengthen the knowledge economy in Puerto Rico and position the island as a global hub for innovation. Investing in these 15 companies and watching them grow from here into international markets demonstrates the potential of our ecosystem and the value of sustaining this work over the long term. At the Trust, we remain committed to paving the way for more entrepreneurs to build their future from Puerto Rico,” emphasized Eng. Lucy Crespo, CEO of the Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust (PRSTRT).
During the DemoDay, the traditional Giveback Award was presented to Bootup Studios. This recognition, a $1,000 cash prize, is awarded to the company that generated the greatest impact on the community through mentorship, panel discussions, and other activities.
To see the full list of graduating startups, you can access the e-book here. For more information about parallel18 and its programs, visit www.parallel18.com.
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About the Science, Technology and Research Trust:
The Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust, as described in Public Law 214-204, as amended, is a private, non-profit organization created in 2004 to boost the Island’s participation and job creation in the global knowledge economy by promoting investment and funding for science and technology research and development. It invests in, facilitates, and develops the capabilities that continuously advance Puerto Rico’s economy and the well-being of its citizens through companies based on research and development, science and technology, public health, and innovation. Its goal is for Puerto Rico to become a globally recognized innovation hub. For more information: www.prsciencetrust.org.
About Parallel18
Parallel18 is a high-level, results-oriented international platform for startups and investments. Parallel18 offers entrepreneurs worldwide access to high-quality business training, investment resources, mentors, business contacts, and investor connections to help them expand globally, while working to position Puerto Rico as a unique hub for business and technology innovation. Founded in 2015 by the Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Information Trust, Parallel18 is recognized for its high-level, results-oriented acceleration programs. In 2026, Parallel18 was recognized as one of America’s Best Incubators & Accelerators by TIME and Statista, ranking 21st out of 80 organizations nationwide and the only Puerto Rican organization to receive the award. For more information: www.parallel18.com
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is parallel18?
Parallel18 is a global startup accelerator and investment platform that offers startup founders from all over the world access to high-quality business training, mentorship, connections and investment resources to help them scale globally.
The program is part of the Puerto Rico Science, Technology, and Research Trust, a private non-profit organization created with the goal of maximizing Puerto Rico’s participation and creation of jobs in the global knowledge economy by promoting investment and financing of science and technology research development.
Our mission is to invest and accelerate startups while positioning Puerto Rico as a unique hub for innovation and technology-driven solutions.
At parallel18, we have three main programs, P18 an accelerator for international startups, BioLeap an incubator for Life Sciences startups, and Xpand a growth-stage community of startups.
Why Puerto Rico?
Startups struggle to find a bridge between Latin America and the U.S., and Puerto Rico is in the middle of the action. The island has a multicultural society: we share cultural aspects with the Latin American society; the influence and infrastructure of the United States, and also have a connected diaspora throughout the world. Our geographic location is very convenient, and Puerto Rico has a lower cost of living when compared to other innovation and tech hubs in the U.S. We have competitive taxation and business incentives under US laws that help you direct your money towards growth.
Where exactly is Puerto Rico located?
Puerto Rico is located in the parallel of latitude 18, hence the name of the program, since it highlights focusing on our strategic location between the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean. Midway between North and South America, it is the perfect bridge to both continents and the world’s fastest-growing economies. Puerto Rico is serviced by many major airlines from gateway cities in the US. It is only a two-and-a-half-hour, non-stop flight from Miami and a four-hour flight from New York. You can also get direct international flight services to Bogota, Madrid, Frankfurt, London, and Panama City (this might change by season).
What is the relationship between Puerto Rico and the United States?
Puerto Rico is a Commonwealth of the United States. As a U.S. territory, it is subject to both federal and local laws and we share a common currency. This unique relationship guarantees economic, legal, and regulatory stability for investors and businesses. A couple of benefits include:
- Puerto Rico is part of the U.S. free trade zones and customs system
- A regulated banking system that is also insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Company (FDIC)
- Puerto Rico is under the protection of the Homeland Security Act
- Intellectual property protection under the U.S. legal framework
- Access to federal programs and funds for infrastructure, social projects, education, and research programs, among others
Who can apply to parallel18’s programs?
Anyone who’s over 18 years of age and has a startup ready to scale. These companies have to have some traction (sales or users), be in operations for three years or less, and a C-level founder must be willing to come to Puerto Rico for the duration of the program. The founder who comes in as the team leader must have equity in the company and must dedicate full-time to the startup. The companies must be incorporated in Puerto Rico or the United States (authorized to make business in Puerto Rico.) If your startup is not incorporated in any of these places, the program will provide you with the contacts of service providers who can help you in this process.
Who is going to review my application to parallel18?
Parallel18 has a multi-step judging process. After applications are closed, the parallel18 team does an internal screening to understand which companies comply with the program’s basic requirements. Those who advance to judging will be evaluated by a network of international evaluators recruited by the parallel18 team, using criteria provided by the program. Each startup is reviewed by at least three judges. Finally, a Selection Board, composed of players of the Puerto Rico entrepreneurial ecosystem, selects the startups that participate in each cohort. *Selection process may vary by generation.
Who is going to have access to my application?
The parallel18 team, the international judges, and the Selection Board will have access to your application. All documents are kept completely confidential and are not shared with external sources.
Do I need to be fluent in Spanish?
No, we speak Spanglish! All of parallel18’s communications will be in English and, being a bilingual country, lots of people speak or understand English. This might vary depending on the circumstances.
We are still a Spanish-speaking country though, so learning the basics is always recommended. If your first language is Spanish, we highly recommend that you learn English given that all activities will be in this language.
Will the program provide me with housing?
Parallel18 will provide local housing providers in the neighborhood. You can choose whether to use your grant money to cover your living expenses or cover the rent at your own expense and use the parallel18 funds fully for your company.
Will parallel18 provide me with health insurance?
No. Parallel18 will provide contacts with local health insurance providers. You must have evidence of valid health insurance if you want this expense to be approved as part of your budget. You must submit proof of your health insurance, which must cover you for the duration of the program, and show evidence before signing your grant contract.
Do I have to be incorporated in Puerto Rico?
The entity is the legal company duly specified in the application form behind the startup applying to the program. The entity needs to be incorporated or authorized to do business in Puerto Rico in the United States or Puerto Rico as a Corp. or LLC company. In the case that the company does not have a legal firm, the program will provide you with the contacts of service providers who can help you in this process. If you’re planning to apply for any of the tax incentives available for startups, you need to be incorporated into the Island.
I am a foreign entrepreneur, which Visa do I need to participate in the program?
We always encourage you to consult with your country’s U.S. embassy.
Which tax incentives apply to startups?
Startups can apply for several tax incentives according to their needs and the operations. If you want more information about tax incentives and startups visit Invest Puerto Rico.
Can non-profits apply?
No, parallel18 only accepts for-profit companies.
Questions?
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