Isabela Fleischmann (EN)
Reporter
English
MercadoLibre’s Credit Card Bet Pays Off in Mexico, Brazil as Q1 Profit Soars
The Latin American e-commerce giant founded and led by Marcos Galperin accelerated its lending growth during the first three months of 2024, as it also saw a boost in advertising revenue
English
iFood CEO Sets Sights on Expansion into Credit, Supermarket and Voucher Businesses
Fabricio Bloisi told Bloomberg Línea that the leading restaurant delivery startup is “just getting started” as it moves into new verticals
Brazil News
Brazilian Software Giant Totvs Will Keep Betting on M&A for Growth in 2024, CEO Says
Despite Brazil’s high-interest rate environment, acquisitions are important to bring in talent and strengthen the company’s position in the market, Dennis Herszkowicz said in an interview
English
Brazilian Seller of Startup Stakes Shifts Platform’s Focus From LatAm to Global
Carlos Naupari, CEO of Velvet, explained to Bloomberg Línea why he has decided on a new strategy for the company, two years after raising US$200 million
English
Microsoft Already Seeing ROI from Software Development With AI, Brazil CEO Says
The software giant’s CEO in Brazil Tânia Cosentino tells Bloomberg Línea that the development of artificial intelligence is already bringing return on investment and highlights Copilot’s potential for commercial clients
Flexible Business Model Is Brazil’s Differential, Says CEO of WeWork LatAm
In an interview with Bloomberg Línea, Claudia Woods cites factors such as contractual flexibility with clients and tenants to prevent operations in the region being affected by the company’s crisis in the US
English
Silicon Valley Bank Strives to Bring Latin American Startups Back Onboard
Andy Tsao, the bank’s executive in charge of international markets, tells Bloomberg Línea it is looking for a leader to do business with companies in Latin America
English
How Brazilian-Founded Fintech Brex Is Eyeing Global Expansion and an IPO
Co-CEO Pedro Franceschi tells Bloomberg Línea that the startup has begun hiring in Mexico after seeing growth in Brazil and Canada
English
Google’s CEO in Brazil: ‘AI Is the Most Significant Transformation We Will See on the Planet’
In a panel with Intel and Nvidia, Google’s president for Brazil, Fábio Coelho, said executives need to advocate within the companies they represent to bring technologies to the country
English
Rounds of the Week: Trinetix Raises $10M to Expand Into Latin America
In recent days, startups such as Ukraine’s Trinetix, Mexico’s Mundi and Brazil’s Zenit and Yooga received venture capital investments
English
Pierre Schurmann’s Nuvini’s Plans after its Nasdaq Debut
The software company raised $18 million with its debut on the US stock exchange; CEO and founder spoke to Bloomberg Línea about the next steps
English
In No Rush for an IPO, Ebanx Uses Operation Cash to Expand to 29 Countries
The payment fintech has decided to prioritize expansion in emerging markets for now, said Paula Bellizia, Global Payments President, to Bloomberg Línea
English
Marcelo Claure Named Global VP of Shein Amid Strategic Growth Plans, Taxation Changes in Brazil
The former COO of SoftBank will work directly with the founder and global CEO of the Chinese retailer, Sky Xu, and also hold the position of Chairman for Latin America
English
Rounds of the Week: Fintechs Condoconta and Cobre Receive Funding
This week, fintech startups caught the attention of venture capital investors; Bossa Invest and Monashees are the most active VCs in the region, according to CB Insights
English
Rounds of the Week: Latitud Ventures, with Investments from Nubank and Kavak Partners, Launches New Fund
David Vélez and Carlos García are among the investors in Latitud’s new venture capital fund, a network of entrepreneurs in Latin America
English
Fintech Unicorn Anticipates Improving Credit Market in Brazil with Lower Default Rates
Fernando Miranda, co-president of Brazil-based Neon, with 26 million customers, predicts a gradual decrease in default rates in Brazil as recent credit operations yield better results and defaults approach their peak
English
Rounds of the Week: Series D Strikes Back With Daki Investment
In addition to Daki, Mexican Blind Creator and Brazilian companies Mission Brasil and Starbem also secured financing
English
Infrastructure for Generative AI Is an Opportunity, Says the CEO of AWS in Brazil
Cleber Morais tells Bloomberg Línea that infrastructure like data centers with the capacity to securely serve clients becomes increasingly critical
English
Record Heat? Climate-Focused Funds Have $33 Billion to Invest in 2023
The volume reflects capital raised since 2021 and not yet utilized by funds dedicated to this theme, according to CTVC market research
English
Rounds of the Week: Mottu Becomes Bicycle’s First Startup Investment in Latin America
Mottu and N5 secured funding in recent days, amidst a 32% decline in venture capital transactions in 2023
English
Uber Ordered to Pay $205 Million for Moral Damages in Brazilian Ruling
Decision by the Labor Court in São Paulo mandates the company to recognize employment relationships with all its drivers; Uber says it will appeal
English
Rounds of the Week: Brazilian Foodtech, Healthcare Staffing Startup Secure Funding
Brazilian foodtech Nuu and MyCareforce, a human resources platform for healthcare professionals, raised funds this week
English
This Is How Nvidia Aims to Bolster its Presence in Brazil and Latin America
The tech giant’s remarkable revenue increase during the second quarter was in part attributable to its operations across the region
English
MercadoLibre to Capitalize on Tax-Break by Selling More Imported Products in Brazil
The Latin American e-commerce giant says the Lula administration's new rules for small importers represent an opportunity
English
Rounds of the Week: Automotive Services Startups Gain Attention in Latin America
Latin America-based startups that operate vehicle-related services such as Autolab, Voltta, and Frota 162 have received venture investments in recent days
English
MercadoLibre Renews Its Loyalty Program as ‘Meli+’, Explores Ad-Backed Content
In an interview with Bloomberg Línea, CMO Sean Summers explains the rationale behind the program along with the vision for the ad-supported streaming platform
English
Brazilian Startup Praso Raises $9.5 Million in Series A Led by Valor Capital and NFX
The foodservice-focused company has acquired intellectual property from Floki, an automated procurement solution for bars and restaurants
English
Rounds of the Week: AI, Education and Fintech Sectors Land Investments In LatAm
Latin American startups Vendah, BrainLogic, Cumbuca, Coala Saúde, and Prestamype have bagged early-stage funding rounds
English
Marcelo Claure’s New VC Firm Bicycle Capital Set to Lead Investment Round in Gympass
New growth equity fund led by former SoftBank executives is in talks to become one of the investors in the corporate well-being benefits unicorn
English
Brazil’s Nomad Raises $61M to Enhance Credit Offering
The fintech’s CEO Lucas Vargas tells Bloomberg Línea that the Series B round, led by Tiger Global, will help the company compete against global banks and fintechs
English
Brazil’s Mercado Bitcoin Cuts 8% of Staff, Shifts Focus to ‘High-Impact’ Businesses
Brazil’s largest cryptocurrency exchange has laid off 45 people, but said it is still hiring for its development and product teams
English
Rounds of the Week: Insurance and E-Commerce Startups Among Recipients of Funding
To July, the total funds raised by Latin American startups was $3.3 billion, less than half of that raised during the same period of 2022
English
Nubank Beats Q2 Forecast, Becomes Brazil’s Fourth-Largest Bank By Number of Customers
The neobank’s shares climbed 4% on the NYSE in after-hours trading, and expects payroll loans to become an important offering in the coming years in a lower-risk credit environment
English
Uruguay’s dLocal Taps Former MercadoLibre CFO Pedro Arnt, Shares Fly
The crossborder payments company, which is reportedly evaluating a sale, also posted its second-quarter earnings results
English
Rounds of the Week: AI-Powered Startups Attract Investment In Latin America
Tractian and Fintalk were among the companies that landed investment this week, at a time when the number of deals across the region fell by 23% to July
English
MercadoLibre CFO Pedro Arnt Is Stepping Down: Who Will Replace Him?
MercadoLibre has put in motion a reshuffling of roles within the company’s top management. The company’s current credit business VP will take over as Chief Financial Officer
English
As its Stock Sinks, This is What WeWork’s Plan For Survival Looks Like
The co-working space company pointed to a lack of liquidity and leasing expenses as its main obstacles to profitability; shares fell 40% on Wednesday
English
Rounds of the Week: Momento Seguros Raises $10.5 Million to Begin Operations
This week, venture investors bet on the technology sector for car insurance and credit
English
Former Credit Suisse Executives Set Up Their Own Asset Management Firms in LatAm
In Mexico and Brazil, former executives of the Swiss bank have launched their own boutiques: Capstone and Sten
English
Mercado Libre’s Q2 Profits Surpass Expectations, Powered By Mexico and Brazil
The e-commerce company saw total revenues of $3.4 billion in second quarter, up 57.3% in comparison against Q2 2022, and its IR director says it is considering entering the Remessa Conforme program that would reduce tax on imports
Startups
Rounds of the Week: Brazilian Startups Axur, Radix Raise Funds
This week, venture investors bet on the cybersecurity and climate technology sector
English
Soho House Selects São Paulo as Second Location for Exclusive Club In Latin America
The London members’ club’s Brazil outpost will feature 36 rooms, a gym, a rooftop bar with a swimming pool, and restaurants
English
Why Are More Founders Leaving Startups to Become Venture Capital Investors?
Victor Lazarte, ex-CEO of Wildlife, is the most recent case of an entrepreneur leaving a startup to enter venture capital as partner at Benchmark in San Francisco
English
Rounds of the Week: LatAm Education and Sustainability Startups Land Investments
In the first half of the year, investors contributed $1.1 billion to startups in the region, and this week, one of the highlights was Foodology
English
Startups Seem to Have Weathered the Worst as Data Reveal Increase In Valuations
Recent investment rounds have priced the value of companies upwards, in a first sign of improvement for the venture capital market
English
Rounds of the Week: Colombia’s Somos Internet Lands Investment From Jay Z’s Fund
The Colombian startup received $13.4 million from Kaszek, Nazca, K50 and Arrive, while Argentine SaaS platform InvGate garnered its first round of institutional funding
English
Nubank Seeks to Increase Customer Loyalty With Ebanx Partnership
The partnership will allow the use of NuPay for purchases from international companies such as Airbnb and Spotify, and which is expected to expand the usage of the neobank’s payment method
English
Latin America Sees Fewer Venture Capital Fund Exits In First-Half
Only 23 exits were carried out between January and June, 57% fewer than in the same period of last year
English
Rounds of the Week: Car Rental Startup, AI-Powered Edtech Receive Investments
Brazilian startups Turbi, Teachy and Bipa have received venture capital investments in recent days
English
Hernán Kazah Says SPACs Remain On the Radar Even if MEKA Was Shut Down
The founder of Kaszek Ventures says investors on good tech companies prefer to wait for the VC market and valuations to improve