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

• Payments unicorn Kushki has partnered with J.P. Morgan to enhance its payment processing capabilities for large corporations in LATAM.

• Nubank has launched NuCel, a digital mobile phone service offering flexible plans with unlimited calls and integration within the Nubank app.

• Bitget has appointed former Binance executive Min Lin as chief business officer to lead its expansion in Latin America.

• FZ Sports has teamed up with CosmoBlue Media to create a streaming platform that will serve as a marketplace for sports content.

• SumUp has appointed Mariana Pimenta as the new head of People for Brazil, focusing on strengthening the company's positioning.

💸 Top Funding Rounds

• Mexican debt settlement startup Bravo has secured $27 million from BBVA Spark to expand its credit division.

• Rental guarantee proptech CredAluga has raised $3.9 million led by Caravela Capital to enhance technology and expand operations across Brazil.

• Fintech OxPay has secured a $3.8 million investment from SRM Ventures to support its growth strategy aiming to double its customer base.

• Stay has raised $2.85 million in a seed funding round led by MAYA Capital and Better Tomorrow Ventures to enhance its corporate pension plan services.

• Ola Media Innovations secured a $1.6 million investment from Plaza Capital to enhance its advertising platform in Mexico's ride-share market.

💰️ Notable Exits

• Funcional Health Tech has acquired BeFlex, a corporate multi-benefits card provider with 70 corporate clients and 20,000 active users.

• Brazilian bank Afinz has acquired Tappaggo, a digital payments platform that transforms mobile phones into POS systems.

• Grupocard and Movilway have merged to form CardWay aiming to generate $570 million in annual revenue by enhancing digital payments in Brazil.

• Beorange has acquired HRELP, a recruitment platform that provides various job search and recruitment opportunities.

🏦 About Investors

• Startups backed by Wayra Brasil and Vivo Ventures secured $13.8 million in contracts with Vivo in H1 2024, marking a 53% increase from 2023.

• João Kepler's Equity Fund Group has partnered with BTG Pactual's Azure Investimentos aiming to reach $200 million in custody within a year.

📈 Deep Dive Bites

Explore Chile’s vibrant venture capital landscape, where top VC firms are fueling groundbreaking innovation and supporting a dynamic startup ecosystem. From early-stage investments to growth capital, these influential players are shaping the future of Chile’s tech and business sectors with impactful portfolios. Learn about the leaders behind each firm, their notable investments, and the role they play in positioning Chile as a regional hub for entrepreneurship and global tech advancements. Dive into the full article for an in-depth look at the VC firms driving this transformation.

🚀 Startup Of the Week

Introducing our Startup of the Week 🏆

Bravo

Bravo, a financial technology company founded in 2009 in Mexico, specializes in debt management and financial advisory services and has positively impacted over 450,000 clients by liquidating more than 380,000 debts valued at approximately €965 million ($1B). Recently, Bravo secured a $27 million financing agreement with BBVA Spark, aimed at enhancing its credit solutions and expanding its services to address over-indebtedness challenges. The partnership reflects Bravo’s mission to provide responsible credit tools that help individuals regain financial stability. Founded by a team dedicated to leveraging technology for financial empowerment, Bravo's innovative platform combines debt resolution services with tailored credit options, demonstrating its commitment to supporting clients in improving their financial health.

💼 Investor of the Week

Introducing our Investor of the Week 🏆

Vivo Ventures

Vivo Ventures, launched in 2022 as Telefónica’s corporate venture capital fund, works alongside Wayra Brasil to enhance the startup ecosystem. In the first half of 2024, Vivo Ventures’ startups secured $13.8 million in contracts with Vivo, marking a 53% increase from the same period in 2023. With a total fund size of $64 million, Vivo Ventures has invested $20 million in six startups, including Klavi and Digibee. The fund focuses on sectors such as Entertainment, Healthcare, and Fintech, with over 80% of its portfolio actively partnering with Vivo, demonstrating the strategic alignment between both investment vehicles.

🤑 Opportunity Radar

Call for Applications: YC W25

Apply to Y Combinator's Winter 2025 Batch by November 12th, 2024, to supercharge your startup journey. Gain access to a world-class ecosystem, resources, and networking opportunities in the heart of San Francisco. The YC program is designed for founders at all stages, from those with just an idea to companies with significant traction. Begin your application process today and join the ranks of successful startups like Airbnb, Stripe, and Reddit. The batch runs from January to March 2025, featuring weekly meetups, eminent speakers from the startup world, and dedicated support from experienced YC partners. Don't miss this chance to tap into YC's $600B combined valuation network and receive $500,000 in funding to kickstart your company's growth.