A spark of curiosity, a real-world problem, and a drive to improve community life – these were the ingredients that led Francisco Macedo to co-found Kolonus, one of Latin America's fastest-growing property technology startups.
The inspiration struck nearly a decade ago when Francisco visited a friend in a gated community in Mexico. A food delivery led to an unexpected call from the front gate, prompting Francisco to ask a simple question: What personal information did the security team have access to? The response unsettled him. The process was manual, inconsistent, and lacked safeguards for resident privacy. That moment sparked an idea that would soon evolve into a powerful entrepreneurial venture.
Reimagining security and community management
Founded in 2015 in Monterrey, Mexico, Kolonus set out to revolutionise how residential communities are managed by digitising and automating day-to-day processes. Today, the platform connects over 270,000 residents across Mexico, Honduras, Colombia, and Ecuador, with expansion plans across all of LATAM.
Kolonus functions as a comprehensive SuperApp that facilitates communication between residents, administrators, landlords, and suppliers. From booking common spaces to receiving secure QR code access for visitors, the platform enhances both convenience and safety.
“We saw that by streamlining access control and communication, we could not only improve daily life but also raise the standard of security in residential areas,” explained Francisco.
Kolonus started as Proptech and in 2023 launched its own gateway payment Kolonus Pay underscoring the importance of fintech on its history.
A solution born from urban realities
With over 80% of Latin Americans living in urban areas, efficient property management is increasingly vital. The pandemic further highlighted this need, as the rise of delivery apps pushed communities to seek seamless, secure solutions to manage entry and logistics.
Kolonus has emerged as a standout. It was awarded “Best Property Technology Solution in Latin America” in 2022 and 2024, for its innovative approach, market impact, and impressive growth trajectory. Previous accolades, such as being named one of Las 100 PRO in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023, reinforce its credibility in the region’s growing tech landscape. Kolonus was also recognized as one of Forbes Mexico’s “30 Promesas de los Negocios” (30 Business Promises) in 2024.
Francisco remains focused on the broader mission. “We’re flattered by this award but also committed to society,” he notes, emphasising that digital innovation must always serve people first.
A platform with purpose
GEM research tracks how entrepreneurs are using technology. Kolonus serves as an example of how entrepreneurship can bridge daily life with smart technology. By connecting people, improving security, and enhancing community living, Kolonus shows how a single idea, born from a simple delivery experience, can scale to positively impact hundreds of thousands.
Learn more at www.kolonus.com
We thank GEM Mexico, host of the GEM 2025/2026 Global Report Launch, for providing this material and helping to put our data in a real-world context.