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Welcome to another edition of 🔍 Startup Researcher - Latin America, your essential digest delivering the latest news and premium insights on startups and venture capital across the region 🌎️

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📰 Important News

• Nu Colombia partnered with Redeban to enable instant, free transfers for its 2.5 million users with Bancolombia, Davivienda, Nequi, and Daviplata.

• Brazil’s tax agency is planning to revisit fintech transaction reporting rules, citing money laundering risks, after a 2023 proposal was delayed due to public opposition.

• Lemon launched the VISA Lemon Card in Peru with Pomelo, enabling users to pay in soles or cryptocurrencies worldwide and receive Bitcoin cashback.

• Uruguayan fintech Prometeo launched Borderless Banking to streamline B2B financial operations between the US and Latin America.

• Toquea, a fintech backed by Grupo AJE, secured authorization from Peru’s SBS to offer digital loans.

💸 Top Funding Rounds

• Mexican fintech Plata raised $160 million in a Series A led by Kora, reaching a $1.5 billion valuation and becoming Mexico’s newest unicorn.

• Grão Direto raised $15 million from Kaszek, Bradesco, and other investors to expand financial and digital services in grain trading.

• Voa Health raised $3 million in a seed round led by Prosus Ventures to expand its AI-powered platform that automates medical documentation.

• Mondelēz International invested in Zíro through its Sustainable Futures platform to expand inventory financing for 100,000 small merchants over the next three years.

• Enter raised an undisclosed investment from Sequoia and Atlantico to expand its legal platform, which automates lawsuit analysis and defense generation.

💰️ Notable Exits

• ClickBus acquired 80% of RJ Participações from Totvs for $8.64 million, strengthening its market position and expanding its international presence.

• Cade approved Sem Parar’s acquisition of the super app Gringo, adding 2.5 million monthly users and expanding its mobility solutions portfolio.

🏦 About Investors

• Alexia Ventures launched its second $100 million fund to invest in Enterprise Software, B2B, and AI startups, focusing on Series A rounds and supporting companies that develop industry-specific AI solutions.

• FUNSESI, Espírito Santo's sovereign fund managed by Quartzo Capital, has invested over $12.19 million in 33 startups since 2019 and plans to deploy $8.71 million in 2025 to strengthen the state's innovation ecosystem.

• Start Growth accelerator is investing $2.5 million in HRtechs, Fintechs, Edtechs, Database, and Martechs, offering $85,000 to $170,000 per startup along with strategic guidance to help them scale.

🚀 Startup of the Week

Introducing our Startup of the Week 🏆

Plata

Mexican fintech Plata, founded in 2023 by Neri Tollardo and Danil Anisimov, has raised a $160 million Series A round led by Kora, bringing its valuation to $1.5 billion and making it Mexico’s newest unicorn. Specializing in credit cards, cashback, and BNPL services, Plata aims to expand financial access for underserved populations, now serving over 1 million active credit card users. With a total of $750 million raised in debt and equity, the company plans to use the new funding to scale its operations and enhance its financial services in Mexico’s rapidly evolving fintech landscape.

💼 Investor of the Week

Introducing our Investor of the Week 🏆

Alexia Ventures

Brazil-based Alexia Ventures has launched its second $100 million fund, continuing its focus on Enterprise Software, B2B, and AI startups, particularly in Series A rounds across Latin America. Founded in 2019 by Patrick Arippol and Wolff Klabin, the firm aims to invest in industry-specific AI solutions that drive efficiency, with check sizes ranging from $2 million to $6 million and a commitment to securing board seats. After deploying its first $85 million fund across 10 companies, including a recent $20 million Series A investment in N5, Alexia Ventures is doubling down on AI-driven innovation with a results-oriented approach.

🤑 Opportunity Radar

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