News

These Digital News Startups Show Us What's Possible for Independent Media

When El Surti first began publishing hard-hitting visual journalism five years ago, it quickly developed a loyal base of followers in Paraguay drawn to the startup’s novel approach to storytelling. El Surti wasn’t just providing independent, visually compelling coverage on corruption, disinformation and more – it involved audience members as collaborators along the way.

Newsrooms Team Up to Cover the Impact of the Pandemic on Latin America’s Middle Class

A new collaborative editorial project explores how the COVID-19 crisis in Latin America has affected the middle class, a group that has dwindled in number as millions struggle from economic and health setbacks. Six independent newsrooms, along with ICFJ partner Connectas, teamed up on the coverage, reporting on everything from mental health, jobs, access to healthcare, and the impact of the crisis on women in particular.

How Paraguay's El Surti Became a Regional Model of Visual Journalism

Before joining the Velocidad media business accelerator program, El Surti had a staff of five people. “We were a small team that worked horizontally. Our whole team could work together at one table,” remembers El Surti Director Alejandro Valdez Sanabria. All team members would meet in the newsroom, around a long table where they discussed their news agenda and the possibilities for creating certain stories. They also edited the content and design of their articles together. In that small, common space, in a pre-pandemic world, communication flowed naturally.

For Argentina's Posta, Financial Organization Has Been Key for Media Outlet Growth

Posta was a young podcast production company when selected for the Velocidad media business accelerator program. Even though the organization was founded in 2014, the team behind Posta had not even calculated the company’s first balance when selected for Velocidad in early 2020. Posta founders, Diego Dell’ Agostino and Luciano Banchero, suspected they had a stable startup with a business model that could be improved. They also recognized it would be a challenge to optimize that business model, especially from a financial point of view.

How a News Startup in Brazil Restructured for Growth

Velocidad Helps News Startups Grow Membership and Revenue as Program Enters Second Phase

In November, six of the 10 Velocidad grantees will progress to the second phase of the program and will receive an additional $600,000 in direct investments and more than 2,000 consultation hours, among other benefits. This translates to a total investment of $950,000 and 3,000 consultation hours since the beginning of the accelerator program in February 2020.

Diez Medios Latinoamericanos Reciben Subsidios y Consultoría para Fortalecer su Sustentabilidad

Velocidad, una aceleradora de medios independientes de América Latina diseñada para lograr su sostenibilidad, ha seleccionado 10 emprendimientos digitales que recibirán inversiones y servicios especializados de consultoría. Velocidad fue desarrollada por por el Centro Internacional para Periodistas (ICFJ) y SembraMedia y el apoyo de Luminate, con el objetivo de impulsar el importante trabajo de estos medios en la región.

Ten Latin American News Startups Get Grants and Consulting to Help Boost Their Bottom Line

Velocidad, an accelerator designed to help independent news media in Latin America become sustainable, has selected 10 digital startups to receive investments and specialized consulting services. Velocidad was established with funding from Luminate and designed by the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) and SembraMedia to support the important work of independent media outlets. 

Velocidad to Help Latin American News Startups Accelerate Revenue Growth

A pioneering initiative announced today will identify and invest $1.5 million in promising news media startups in Latin America and accelerate their efforts to grow into thriving businesses.