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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

• Revolut launched Pix transfers for local bank accounts and debit cards in Brazil, shifting its focus to compete with local fintechs.

• Credibanco partnered with Dock to launch a cloud-based instant payment solution for Bre-B in Colombia, enabling secure 24/7 transactions.

• Brazil's Federal Police and Gaeco launched Operation Hydra against two fintechs, arresting 2GO Bank's CEO and blocking assets for alleged money laundering.

• FEMSA, the owner of OXXO, is planning to apply for a banking license to strengthen its financial ecosystem and expand digital services in Mexico.

• Swedish fintech Qred has suspended its operations in Brazil, halting new loan origination for SMEs while evaluating other options.

💸 Top Funding Rounds

• Ximple raised $30 million in funding from Architect Capital to expand credit access for Mexico's unbanked entrepreneurs.

• Capim closed a $26.7 million Series A round co-led by Valor Capital and QED Investors to expand its dental clinic management platform.

• Maxxa secured $10.6 million in debt financing from Symbiotics and Delphos to expand SME lending and enhance its credit evaluation platform.

• Buser obtained $5.1 million from 4Equity in a media for equity round to expand its marketing, strengthen its brand, and accelerate growth.

• Yavendió raised an $850,000 pre-seed round to enhance WhatsApp sales automation, streamline operations, and expand its presence in Mexico.

💰️ Notable Exits

• Payment infrastructure company Trio acquired PayBrokers to strengthen its presence in Brazil's regulated iGaming market, pending regulatory approval.

• Evertec announced is acquisition of cloud solutions provider Nubity to strengthen its technology offerings in Latin America and the Caribbean.

• WeWork has taken full control of its Brazilian operations after the Cade approved the purchase of SoftBank’s 49.9% stake.

• Neura acquired ACDI to enhance its behavioral research capabilities by integrating neuroscience and strategic analysis.

🏦 About Investors

• Raio Capital launched its second fund of $17 million, focusing on early-stage tech startups and aiming for shorter investment cycles of 4 to 5 years.

• Mouro Capital appointed Diego Gálvez as Partner to lead its strategy in LATAM, aiming to boost Fintech innovation and support startups.

• Círculo de Crédito launched its Corporate Venture Capital program to invest in and accelerate early-stage tech startups in Mexico.

• Impact Ventures PSM and Impacta VC launched a $5 million fund to support 20 early-stage startups focused on social and environmental impact.

🚀 Startup of the Week

Introducing our Startup of the Week 🏆

Ximple

Ximple, a Mexican fintech founded in early 2024 by Daniel Sujo, Rodrigo Aparicio, Juan Pablo Salem, and Joao Ramos, has secured a $30 million financing deal with Architect Capital to expand credit access for underbanked entrepreneurs in Mexico. The company, which focuses on financial inclusion, primarily serves entrepreneurial women in direct sales, known as "Aliados," by providing digital tools and working capital lines to help grow their businesses. This investment will accelerate Ximple’s nationwide expansion, reinforcing its role as a key financial partner for small businesses while strengthening Mexico’s fintech ecosystem.

💼 Investor of the Week

Introducing our Investor of the Week 🏆

Raio Capital

Raio Capital, a Rio de Janeiro-based venture capital firm founded in 2021 and led by Bruno Teixeira, has launched its second fund, valued at $17 million, to invest in early-stage tech startups that enhance productivity in Brazilian businesses. With a focus on adapting to the local market rather than importing foreign methodologies, the firm targets professional investors with a minimum of $1.77 million in applications and aims for shorter investment cycles of four to five years. Having already made over 20 investments and achieved two exits, Raio Capital continues to refine its boutique investment approach to navigate Brazil’s evolving venture landscape.

🤑 Opportunity Radar

Call for Applications: Future Positive Challenge

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