Interview: Public Policy in Creative and Cultural Industries in Latin America
1. What is the most critical role that government support can play in developing creative and cultural industries, especially where they intersect with technology?
Government support is the primary catalyst for the creative and cultural industries, particularly where they converge with technology. This sector is defined by intangible assets, high informality, and a disconnect from traditional tech and financial ecosystems. Effective state intervention must go beyond simple funding; it should create the conditions for creative initiatives to become sustainable, scalable enterprises.
This means shifting from a subsidy mindset to an investment paradigm—providing patient capital, building soft infrastructure like networks and mentorship, and establishing regulatory frameworks that recognize the value of intellectual property and cultural heritage.
Globally, we see this evolution in places like the UK and Singapore, and Latin America has the opportunity to leapfrog by designing inclusive, tech-forward policies from the outset.
2. What strategic insights did your recent public-private partnership at the CultTech Summit in Vienna reveal, and how can these be scaled across Latin America?
Our collaboration with Argentina’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the CultTech Summit 2025 was a masterclass in strategic cultural diplomacy.
The goal was to position Argentina as a reliable innovation partner in the global creative economy and to facilitate direct dialogue between institutions, European investors, and Latin American CultTech leaders.
The results highlighted Argentina’s unique strengths: leadership in audiovisual production, music exports, publishing, fine arts, and technology services, alongside a startup ecosystem with 400% investment growth in five years and multiple unicorns. Government support provided legitimacy and access that private initiatives alone cannot achieve.
Key lessons include allowing more time for relationship-building, adopting a regional approach by involving more provinces and countries, and creating structured follow-up mechanisms. This model is replicable across Latin America, where strong diplomatic networks and vibrant creative sectors can benefit from similar partnerships.
3. What are the main barriers preventing Latin American creative and technology projects from accessing public funding, and what policy innovations could address these challenges?
The main barriers are structural. First, many creative initiatives lack formal business structures, organized financial records, or entrepreneurial frameworks, making them incompatible with traditional funding requirements.
Second, these projects often fail to capitalize on their intangible assets—like intellectual property and audience databases—which could serve as collateral for financing.
Third, traditional funding metrics don’t capture the full value of creative enterprises, such as cultural preservation and social impact. Policy innovation is needed: governments should implement adaptive assessment frameworks, establish specialized intermediaries like incubators and accelerators, and develop impact measurement systems that reflect the true value of creative investments.
“The key is to recognize creativity as economic infrastructure, not just cultural expenditure.”
4. How should Latin American countries structure public-private partnerships to build sustainable CultTech ecosystems? What role do intermediaries play?
Sustainable CultTech ecosystems require triadic collaboration—strategic partnerships between public institutions, private capital, and specialized intermediaries. The public sector provides regulatory frameworks, patient capital, and long-term vision; the private sector brings market validation, investment, and commercial expertise; intermediaries bridge these worlds, translating between different languages and objectives. The most successful ecosystems prioritize soft infrastructure—networks, mentorship, knowledge transfer, and community building—over direct funding. Intermediaries help creative initiatives adopt startup methodologies and scaling strategies while preserving their cultural identity. Blended finance mechanisms, where public funding de-risks private investment, combined with comprehensive support programs, are key. Global best practices from Canada and Germany show the effectiveness of this model, and Latin America can adapt these frameworks to its unique context.
5. Can you highlight specific policy successes in Latin America where government support created transformational impact for creative-tech enterprises?
Several Latin American policies stand out. Colombia’s Comprehensive Orange Economy Policy combined innovative financing with strategic vision, supporting creative companies nationwide based on impact, decentralization, and sustainability.
Chile’s Chilecreativo program enabled design, music, and gaming sectors to achieve global market penetration by connecting companies, government agencies, and export institutions. Uruguay’s Innovation Vouchers fostered collaboration between creative SMEs and tech companies, addressing technology adoption while maintaining creative independence.
Brazil’s PRONAC program channeled nearly R$49.78 billion into the cultural sector over 27 years, generating significant economic multiplier effects.
The common thread is data-driven policy design, stakeholder consultation, clear impact measurement, and integration of financing with capacity building and market development.
6. What practical roadmap would you recommend for creative entrepreneurs looking to engage with government support programs?
Creative entrepreneurs should approach government engagement strategically.
- First, develop entrepreneurial literacy, master business modeling, financial projection, and impact measurement.
- Second, gain deep industry expertise and market understanding.
- Third, formalize your business: establish legal structures, implement accounting systems, and register intellectual property.
- Fourth, systematically research available support programs and understand their requirements.
- Fifth, build networks through accelerators, bootcamps, and industry associations to access opportunities and mentorship.
Finally, start measuring impact and building alliances from the outset, even with simple metrics. Success comes to those who combine creativity, entrepreneurship, and policy understanding—a continuous learning process with significant rewards.
The creative economy in Latin America can become a global leader by embracing investment-driven policies, fostering public-private partnerships, and building robust ecosystems that value both cultural identity and technological innovation.
