Venture firm Axon Partners Group has closed a $65m venture capital fund backed by Spain-based telecoms operator Téléfonica, US-based wireless company Brightstar, the Colombian small business bank Bancoldex and the Spanish fund for international development, AECID.
The Amerigo Colombia Ventures fund has already closed five investments, the company said, and plans five more in 2013. During its four-year investment period it will target digital businesses, either at early stage or as they begin regional expansion in Latin America, and will look for opportunities in e-commerce, e-learning, e-health and media.
Axon Partners currently manages around $130m in technology venture capital funds, investing around the world.
The mandate follows Chile-based venture firm InverSur Capital becoming the manager of the Amérigo Chile Early Stage & Growth fund, backed byTelefónica and the Chilean government. The Chile fund has initially raised $30m and said it plans to raise up to $50m.
In September Telefónica launched Amérigo as a €300m ($377m) network of venture capital funds.