If you're exploring opportunities in Mercosur and Latin America, you may have questions about where to start, what to expect and how Gateway can support you.
We've put together some answers to help you get a clearer picture. If your question isn't here, just get in touch.
We work with European companies of different sizes and across a wide range of sectors that are looking to explore, enter or grow in Latin America.
Our experience and market knowledge are particularly relevant to businesses in areas such as electrical and mechanical engineering, automotive and industrial supply, mining, oil and gas, medical technology, food, pulp and packaging, IT and telecommunications, as well as other internationally minded businesses looking towards the region.
Some companies are considering Latin America for the first time. Others are already exporting, working with local partners or operating in the region and want to take the next step.
You don't need to have previous experience in Latin America or a fully developed expansion plan. We can help you understand the opportunities, assess your options and work out what makes sense for your business.
The evolving relationship between the European Union and Mercosur is also creating new opportunities for European companies looking towards the region. We help businesses understand what these developments could mean for them and where potential opportunities may lie.
Our main focus is Brazil and the Mercosur region, including Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. We also work across the wider Latin American market, including countries such as Mexico and Chile, depending on the project.
Because every expansion is different, we look at the markets that make sense for your particular business rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach.
Yes. In many cases, that's where it makes sense to start.
Before investing in a new market, you may want to understand the opportunity, assess potential risks, compare markets or simply find out whether Latin America is the right next step for your business.
We can support you with market research, competitive analysis, local insights and expansion strategy before you make any major commitment.
We can support you at different stages of the process - from the first market assessment through to market entry and ongoing growth.
Depending on what you need, this can include market and competitor research, expansion strategy, partner and distributor searches, business development, commercial negotiations, local coordination and support with establishing a local structure.
Our role can be strategic, practical or a combination of both.
Every market is different, but some challenges come up again and again: understanding local business practices, finding reliable partners, navigating regulatory and operational requirements, and adapting to different ways of building business relationships.
Language and culture also play an important role.
What works well in Europe doesn't always work in exactly the same way in Latin America. Understanding those differences early can make the whole process much easier.
Yes.
We can help identify and evaluate potential distributors, suppliers, service providers and other business partners according to your requirements and market strategy.
The goal isn't simply to find a name on a list. It's to help you understand who could be a good fit for your business and support you in developing the relationship.
Business development can mean different things depending on your situation.
We can support you in identifying potential customers and partners, developing distributor networks, exploring commercial opportunities, preparing for meetings and trade fairs, supporting negotiations and coordinating local business activities.
Where appropriate, we can also stay involved as relationships develop and opportunities move forward.
That depends on what your business needs.
Depending on the project, we can support areas such as local business coordination, sourcing, supply-chain and logistics considerations, identifying local service providers, setting up local structures and developing relationships with people on the ground.
We don't offer a fixed package of services. We work out together where our involvement can actually add value.
They can be very important.
Understanding the market is one thing. Knowing how to navigate it, who to talk to and how business relationships are built is another.
Being present locally gives us a different perspective from someone advising from thousands of kilometres away. We can help you understand the local context, connect with the right people and build relationships in a way that feels natural and appropriate to the market.
We combine strategic thinking with practical, local experience.
Our team brings together European and Latin American perspectives, with experience in international business, business development, marketing, communication, digital strategy and localisation.
We are based in Florianópolis, southern Brazil, and understand both the European companies coming into the region and the Latin American markets they are entering.
Most importantly, we don't believe in handing over a strategy and leaving you to figure out the rest. Depending on what you need, we can stay involved and help turn the plan into action.
If you're exploring Latin America and aren't sure what the next step should be, tell us what you're thinking about. We'd be happy to have a conversation.