Hello there,

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 🌎️

If you haven't subscribed yet, now's the perfect time. Don't miss the opportunity to supercharge your understanding and stay ahead in this dynamic world.

Let's delve into the core sections of our weekly newsletter:

• 📰 Important News

• 💸 Top Funding Rounds

• 💰️ Notable Exits

• 🏦 About Investors

• 📈 Deep Dive Bites

• 🤝 Diversity Spotlight

• 🚀 Startup Of the Week

• 💼 Investor of the Week

• 🤑 Opportunity Radar

📰 Important News

• Google Cloud announced the launch of Google Cloud Space in São Paulo for 2025.

• BeeHero has entered the Latin American market, expecting over $70 million in revenue for 2024.

• The President of ApexBrasil and the Vice President of the Republic announced R$18.3 million in investments to train 2,000 companies for export.

• Mercado Pago has launched a digital wallet in Colombia, enabling users to register local bank cards, track expenses, and access discounts.

• Yuno has appointed Walter Campos as the new General Manager in Brazil, aiming to enhance operations and drive growth.

💸 Top Funding Rounds

• Colombian fintech ExcelCredit secured $50 million from Nomura to enhance financial inclusion for low-income seniors, offering loans via payroll deduction.

• Brazilian fintech Versi raised $9 million in debt via CRI bonds to support affordable housing developers under the Minha Casa Minha Vida program.

• Brazilian fintech Gibb raised $5.5 million from SRM Ventures to enhance operations and expand its payroll streaming services.

• Uruguayan biotech Xeptiva raised $2.5 million in a seed round led by Zentynel to develop veterinary vaccines.

• Rockhead Studios, a Porto Alegre-based game studio, secured R$1 million from Google's Indie Games Fund to enhance game content.

💰️ Notable Exits

• Serasa Experian has acquired ClearSale for R$2.1 billion to enhance its security portfolio, offering payment options and integrating operations, with ClearSale's founder assisting in the transition.

🏦 About Investors

• Kapitale launched a R$50 million fund to support SMEs, offering fee-free receivables aimed at reducing defaults and improving cash flow for small businesses in Brazil.

• Sebrae-SP and Criatec 4 ASG Fund secured R$20 million for investments in up to 35 scalable tech startups, aiming to raise over R$300 million, marking the largest fund in the Criatec series.

• Imagine Ventures closed its first fund after evaluating over 500 startups aiming to invest $4 million across 13-15 Latin American startups.

• ACE Ventures appointed Luiza Leite as Head of New Ventures and Caroline Dallacorte as Head of Portfolio.

📈 Deep Dive Bites

Brazil's venture capital scene is a powerhouse driving innovation across Latin America. With São Paulo at its center, top VC firms are backing startups in fintech, healthtech, logistics, and more. From early-stage investments to major exits, these VCs are fueling Brazil's entrepreneurial growth and shaping industries. Want to see who’s leading the charge? Explore how these key players push boundaries and support the next wave of high-growth ventures.

🚀 Startup Of the Week

Introducing our Startup of the Week 🏆

ExcelCredit

ExcelCredit, a Colombian fintech company founded in 2013 and headquartered in Bogotá, has secured a $50 million investment from the Japanese bank Nomura to enhance financial inclusion for low-income seniors. The company specializes in providing loans to pensioners, public employees, and public school teachers through a payroll deduction financing model, which has gained significant traction in Colombia, accounting for 37% of the total consumer credit portfolio. This partnership with Nomura, along with successful bond issuance, is expected to drive ExcelCredit's growth and solidify its position as a leading player in the Colombian fintech landscape, aiming to offer more accessible financial services to underserved demographics.

💼 Investor of the Week

Introducing our Investor of the Week 🏆

Imagine Ventures

Imagine Ventures, a venture capital firm focused on early-stage startups in Latin America, has closed its first fund, aiming to raise $4 million for 13 to 15 pre-seed or seed stage investments by mid-2025. After evaluating over 500 startups across 28 countries, the firm targets disruptive entrepreneurs addressing challenges in digital transformation, sustainability, and financial inclusion, particularly within the Pacific Alliance. With a current portfolio of eight startups and over 10 years of experience in the region, Imagine Ventures is dedicated to promoting diverse and impactful startups.

🤑 Opportunity Radar

Techstars Anywhere Accelerator

Apply to the Techstars Anywhere Accelerator by May 22nd, 2024, to elevate your startup from anywhere in the world. This innovative remote-first program, designed for companies across various industries, offers access to top-tier mentorship, funding of up to $120,000, and a worldwide network of investors. With three in-person meetups throughout the Americas, you'll gain valuable insights and connections to help you succeed. The accelerator kicks off on September 9th, 2024, and culminates in a Demo Day on December 5th, 2024. Don’t miss this opportunity to join a dynamic community of entrepreneurs and accelerate your business journey.