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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 🌎️

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

• 📋️ Curated Lists

• 📈 Deep Dive Bites

• 🎙️ Expert Insights

• 🤝 Diversity Spotlight

• 🚀 Startup Of the Week

• 💼 Investor of the Week

• 🤑 Opportunity Radar

📰 Important News

• Mexican startup Konfront was recognized in the Developer Awards 2024 for its innovative Product-as-a-Service business model.

• Pako Wallet, a digital wallet from Grupo Coen, launched a prepaid infoless card in Guatemala in partnership with Mastercard.

• Redeban and Capgemini have partnered to transform Colombia's financial sector through Open Finance, enhancing financial inclusion.

• Mexican neobank Klar launched a platinum credit card offering premium benefits like up to 6% cashback and VIP airport lounge access.

• MACH and Pomelo have partnered to enhance digital banking in Chile, starting with the development of a next-generation credit card.

💸 Top Funding Rounds

• Ualá raised $300 million in its Series E round led by Allianz X, reaching a $2.75 billion valuation, and will use the funds to expand in LATAM.

• Plata Card raised $55 million through the issuance of senior unsecured bonds to support its credit services expansion.

• Fairplay secured a $35 million credit line from BBVA Spark to support SMEs and expand its presence in the retail sector.

• Educbank raised $14.5 million through corporate bonds securitized in school fees to fund its “guaranteed income” product.

• Brazilian employee lifecycle platform Tako closed a $13.2 million seed round co-led by a16z and Ribbit Capital to enhance automation and R&D.

💰️ Notable Exits

• Voke acquired Renter and ATTA Tecnologia to expand its HaaS ecosystem, boost its portfolio, and strengthen its presence in São Paulo's food retail sector.

• Ânima Educação acquired the startup Eu Médico Residente for $6.52 million to enhance its healthcare education portfolio.

• SAS acquired Hazy’s synthetic data technology to enhance its AI and data management portfolio.

• Asia Shipping has acquired Hórus Logística, expanding its logistics services to include warehousing, cross-docking, and RFID tracking.

📋️ Curated Lists

Discover Peru's vibrant startup ecosystem and the venture capital firms driving its rapid growth. From Salkantay Ventures to Ataria Ventures, these investors are championing innovative startups in fintech, agtech, SaaS, and beyond. With a focus on strategic funding and guidance, they’re empowering local entrepreneurs to scale their businesses regionally and globally. Delve into the full article to explore Peru's top VC players, their standout investments, and their impact on shaping the country’s entrepreneurial future.

🚀 Startup Of the Week

Introducing our Startup of the Week 🏆

Ualá

Ualá, the Argentine fintech company founded in 2017 by Pierpaolo Barbieri, recently raised a $300 million Series E round, bringing its valuation to $2.75 billion. This round was led by Allianz X, marking its first investment in Latin America, with other notable participants including Tencent, SoftBank, and Goldman Sachs. The funding will help Ualá expand its services in Mexico, Argentina, and Colombia, with plans to enhance its product offerings and explore new areas like insurance. Ualá has already established itself as a leading neobank, offering a range of financial products like payment accounts, credit cards, investments, and loans to over 8 million customers. This Series E round represents the largest funding raised by a Latin American startup in the past three years.

💼 Investor of the Week

Introducing our Investor of the Week 🏆

Allianz X

Allianz X, the corporate venture capital arm of Allianz Group, focuses on investing in technology-driven companies across sectors relevant to insurance and asset management. Since its establishment in 2013, Allianz X has built a portfolio of over 25 companies, with assets under management nearing €2 billion. Among its investments are 12 unicorns, demonstrating its commitment to high-growth digital enterprises. Recently, Allianz X marked its first investment in Latin America by leading a $300 million Series E round for Ualá, an Argentinian fintech unicorn.

🤑 Opportunity Radar

Call for Applications: Start-up Chile’s BIG 9

Apply to Start-Up Chile’s BIG 9 Program and take your technology-based venture to new heights. This globally recognized accelerator offers equity-free co-funding, mentorship, coworking space, and connections with key players in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Tailored programs—Build, Ignite, and Growth—support startups at every stage, from validated ideas to global expansion. Selected participants will embark on an intense 4- to 8-month journey of growth and impact, backed by a vibrant community of over 3,000 startups. Don’t miss this chance to accelerate your business and contribute to transformative innovation. Applications close on November 29, 2024, 1:00 PM; start yours today!