Medellín Foreign Investments are better than ever. During the first half of 2025, the Agency for Cooperation and Investment of Medellín -ACI Medellín- and the Metropolitan Area managed 18 direct foreign investment projects totaling 168.11 million dollars, with a projection of 8,100 jobs. These initiatives come from countries such as the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Brazil, China, and Puerto Rico, and are concentrated in sectors such as technology services, commerce, energy, manufacturing, and the creative economy.
This makes Medellín an attractive investment market with high growth projections for all foreigners who wish to come to Colombia through direct foreign investment that positively impacts not only their investment but also economic growth and job creation in the city.
What is the Impact of Medellín Foreign Investments?
On July 23rd, the latest Medellín Investment Round 2025 took place, an event led by ACI Medellín and the Chamber of Commerce of Medellín for Antioquia, with the support of ProColombia, Ruta N, ANDI del Futuro, and the Government of Antioquia. The event provided a forum where 27 local and regional companies held 127 one-on-one meetings with 19 national and international investment funds, seeking capital to grow, innovate, and consolidate their expansion.
Beyond attracting new companies, this strategy also strengthens the brownfield model by connecting companies already established in the region with financing sources that allow them to scale their operations and generate a sustainable impact on the city-region’s economy. The event clearly demonstrated the significant impact this strategy brings to the city:
The results of this semester confirm that the Mayor's Office of Medellín is a reliable partner for investment and cooperation. From ACI Medellín, we are carrying out a determined global positioning effort to keep the city on the international investment map. Cases like Accenture, Recurly, or Health Prime, and projects like Primavera Norte, which received technical assistance from the C40 program, are proof that internationalization transforms territories, strengthens trust among all actors in society, and is reflected in a better quality of life for our people," stated Cristina Zambrano, Executive Director of ACI Medellín.
How Has Foreign Investment in Medellín Been Consolidated?
Ruta N, a strategic ally of ACI Medellín, has been key in strengthening the city’s science, technology, and innovation ecosystem. In articulation with ProColombia and ACI, it facilitated the establishment of 10 new STi sector companies (Science, Technology, and Innovation) from the United States, Ukraine, Argentina, Chile, and Colombia, consolidating Medellín as a competitive destination for technology-based companies.
Through the Medellín Venture Capital program, Ruta N builds local and foreign investment capabilities, mapping and attracting more than 200 regional funds interested in investing in the city, training more than 100 new venture capital investors, structuring new investment vehicles, and creating an active investment community with angel investors, family offices, corporations, and funds. Additionally, Ruta N, in alliance with Bancoldex, invested USD 3.2 million in a city investment fund that will make a total of around USD 10 million available to 30 fintech startups in the region.
Ruta N, in addition to supporting investment rounds with ACI, also promotes the connection between investors and startups through Startia, the brain of the city’s entrepreneurship ecosystem, with more than 350 mapped technology-based ventures and more than 300 investors, where effective connections can be generated organically. From an international perspective, Ruta N boasts strong alliances, including the Royal Academy of Engineering and the UK government, which allocated GBP 200,000 in 2025 for training and scaling entrepreneurs in the city.
ACI Medellín also highlighted key advances in international cooperation. In this first half alone, Medellín managed USD 2.58 million in technical and financial cooperation, with projects addressing topics such as financial education with a gender perspective, circular economy, data for public management, and strategies to combat hunger.
With strategies such as MedInvest, the Antioquia Foreign Direct Investment Board, the strengthening of the Allies Network, and collaborative work with partners like Ruta N, ACI Medellín reaffirms its commitment to connecting capital with purpose and continuing to position Medellín as a global, competitive, and transformative city.
All of the above consolidates Medellín as a reliable city with great potential for foreign investment, offering a robust and constantly growing ecosystem, where all sectors, both official and private, are willing to guide, promote, and make the city stand out as a global center for foreign direct investment, reiterating what Cristina Zambrano, Executive Director of ACI Medellín, who stated: "The economic and social development of a city is achieved when three key forces align: territorial vision, trust among stakeholders, and an ecosystem conducive to investment."
What are the Potential Medellín Foreign Investment Markets?
Medellín, with its burgeoning economy and strategic geographical location, presents a compelling landscape for foreign direct investment across various sectors. Understanding the key markets and their specific opportunities is crucial for investors looking to capitalize on the city’s growth through the following potential markets:
Tech Startups
Medellín has actively cultivated an ecosystem conducive to technology and innovation, earning it the moniker “Silicon Valley of Latin America”, where foreign investors can find opportunities in establishing software development centers or IT service hubs, investing in or partnering with local tech startups, or developing and deploying digital solutions for various industries, thanks to the following factors:
Growing Talent Pool
A robust educational infrastructure, including universities and technical schools, consistently produces a skilled workforce in software development, data analytics, and emerging technologies.
Government Support and Initiatives
The local government, through initiatives like Ruta N, actively promotes entrepreneurship, research, and development by offering incentives, incubators, and accelerators for tech startups.
Digital Transformation
Colombian companies are increasingly embracing digital transformation, creating a high demand for IT services, cybersecurity solutions, and cloud computing.
Startup Ecosystem
A vibrant startup scene, fueled by both local and international entrepreneurs, is constantly innovating in areas such as fintech, healthtech, and agritech.
Tourism Industry Investments
The transformation of Medellín from a city with a challenging past to a vibrant tourist destination has created significant investment opportunities in the tourism and hospitality sector. With its breathtaking landscapes and attractive cities, Colombia has emerged as one of the top destinations in Latin America. Business opportunities in the tourism market include developing new hotels, boutique accommodations, and guesthouses, establishing tour operator companies and specialized travel agencies, ecological experiences, and creating unique experiential tourism offerings, driven by the following key factors:
Increased Tourist Arrival
The city’s improved safety, attractive climate, and diverse cultural offerings have led to a steady increase in both domestic and international tourist numbers.
Diverse Attractions
From the vibrant nightlife of El Poblado to the historical charm of Comuna 13 and the natural beauty of surrounding areas, Medellín offers a wide range of experiences.
MICE Tourism
The city is growing as a MICE Tourism hub, driven by modern convention centers and a supportive infrastructure, which refers to the specialized segment of tourism focused on organizing meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE).
Healthcare and Wellness
Medellín is an incredible travel destination, bursting with vibrant culture and stunning landscapes. It offers fantastic eco-tourism options, charming boutique hotels, and welcoming travel agencies for international visitors. But it’s also a city where thousands of foreigners come to receive medical procedures, aesthetic surgeries, and specialized treatments. This has created huge potential for the development of medical tourism infrastructure and services, both for locals and international patients. The combination of high-quality and affordable care continues to attract a growing number of medical tourists, generating strong demand for specialized healthcare facilities and recovery accommodations. Keep in mind this:
Growing Medical Tourism
Throughout 2024, hospitals, clinics, and specialized healthcare centers in the capital of Antioquia served a total of 23,323 international patients, meaning an average of 64 foreign patients per day, as indicated by a report from the Medellín Health City Cluster, prepared based on data provided by the healthcare institutions (IPS) themselves.
That figure represents a 12 percent increase compared to 2023 and positions 2024 as the year with the best results since 2010, when records on this topic began. In terms of billing, the balance is even more positive, showing a compound growth of 14% over the past 15 years. Revenues amounted to 64,463 million pesos, compared to 61,472 million in the previous year.
“The arrival of international patients in Medellín remains constant throughout the year, reflecting specialty tourism. Furthermore, the city has become a benchmark for the quality of services it offers, the high level of training of its care and medical staff, and the international certifications held by its institutions,” said Mónica Sánchez, manager of the Medellín Health City Cluster.
Infrastructure and Urban Development/ Real Estate
Medellín’s continuous urban growth and its commitment to sustainable development necessitate ongoing investment in infrastructure, where potential areas for foreign investment include participating in public-private partnerships for infrastructure projects (roads, bridges, utilities), developing residential and commercial real estate projects specially in nearby areas such as Rionegro, La Ceja, and some other towns, investing in renewable energy generation and distribution, or providing innovative city technologies and solutions.
However, it’s important to note that Medellín faces significant construction limitations due to its geographical characteristics and soil conditions, which restrict the number of new projects construction companies can undertake within the city limits. Seek professional advice for this matter if this type of investing catches your attention, so you can take into account how this sector offers long-term stability and high returns in some available areas, thanks to:
Public System Transportation
The success of the Medellín Metro system underscores the city’s commitment to efficient public transport, with ongoing and planned expansion projects.
Smart City Initiatives
Medellín is actively pursuing smart city solutions, including intelligent traffic management, smart grids, and digital governance, which require technological infrastructure and expertise.
Residential and Commercial Real Estate
The influx of new residents and businesses fuels consistent demand for both residential and commercial properties, particularly in well-connected and developing neighborhoods.
Renewable Energy
Colombia’s national push towards renewable energy sources, coupled with Medellín’s commitment to sustainability, creates opportunities in solar, wind, and hydroelectric projects.
Manufacturing and Logistics
Medellín’s strategic location and well-developed logistics network make it an attractive hub for manufacturing and distribution within Colombia and across Latin America. With its expanding economy, logistics services like warehousing, trucking, or freight forwarding are in high demand, where foreign investors can consider setting up manufacturing facilities for various goods, taking advantage of FTZs, investing in logistics and warehousing infrastructure to support regional distribution, modernizing existing manufacturing operations with new technologies, developing supply chain solutions for both domestic and international markets, driven by the following factors:
Strategic Location
Medellín provides excellent connectivity to major Colombian cities and ports.
Skilled Labor Force
The region boasts a strong industrial tradition and a skilled labor force in various manufacturing segments.
Free Trade Zone
The presence of Free Trade Zones (FTZs) offers significant tax incentives and simplified customs procedures for businesses involved in export-oriented manufacturing.
Textile and Apparel Industry
Medellín has a long-standing reputation as a center for textile and apparel manufacturing, with opportunities for modernization and export growth.
Agribusiness and Food Processing
Medellín is located in Antioquia, a department known for its fertile agricultural landscape, which presents significant opportunities in agribusiness and food processing. With offerings that include coffee, exotic fruits, and sustainable farming, investing in Colombia’s agricultural sector is promising thank to the country’s rich soils, which make it an ideal destination for export-oriented agribusiness ventures. Investment opportunities include establishing food processing plants for various agricultural products, investing in cold chain logistics and distribution networks for perishable goods, developing and marketing value-added agricultural products, and adopting and promoting sustainable agricultural technologies and practices, driven by the following factors:
Diverse Agricultural Production
The region produces a wide variety of crops, including coffee, fruits, flowers, and livestock, providing raw materials for processing.
Growing Domestic and Export Demand
There is increasing demand for processed food products both domestically and for export markets.
Sustainable Agriculture
A focus on sustainable and organic farming practices aligns with global consumer trends.
Value-Added Products
Opportunities exist to transform raw agricultural products into higher-value processed goods, such as specialized food ingredients, packaged foods, and beverages.
As we can see, Medellín is a promising market for investors, with broad sectors where foreign direct investment can make a difference, positively impact the city, and, of course, generate solid returns on invested capital. Keep in mind that all these incentives and diverse sectors also involve legal requirements, processes, and documentation that must be handled carefully to avoid setbacks, difficulties, or—worst case scenario—falling victim to bad advice, scams, or financial losses.
We recommend seeking the legal advice and support of our expert partner, expatgroup.co, which for nearly 10 years has helped turn clients’ investments into reality, facilitating approximately USD 121.2 million in foreign direct investment. Their proven expertise, trustworthiness, and guidance make them the best ally for your foreign investment projects in Medellín.
Take the First Step and Invest in Colombia
Our reliable partner expatgroup.co offers a wide range of services for Foreign Investors:
Medellin Guru's Comprehensive Business and Taxes Series
At Medellin Guru, we are passionate about Colombia and committed to providing valuable insights for the business community. Our page features a blog series dedicated to business and taxation in Colombia, offering expats essential guidance and pertinent information to navigate the local landscape. Discover our articles on business strategies, tax regulations, and best practices for operating in Colombia here:
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- Colombia’s IVA Tax & How Tourists Can Get an IVA Tax Refund
- US Taxes Expat’s Guide: Foreign Financial Reporting -Tax Strategy One
The Bottom Line: Medellín Foreign Investments Reach $168M in First Half of 2025
Medellín secured over $168 million in foreign investments in the first half of 2025, attracting projects from the US, France, the UK, Brazil, China, and Puerto Rico. Key sectors include technology, commerce, energy, manufacturing, and creative economy. The city’s strategic advantages, supportive ecosystem, and initiatives like ACI Medellín and Ruta N are driving this growth, with significant opportunities in tech startups, tourism, healthcare, infrastructure, manufacturing, logistics, and agribusiness. These investments are projected to create 8,100 jobs and reinforce Medellín’s position as a global investment hub, which you can take advantage of with the proper advice.
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