Here are the highlights on Brazil’s tech and business scene in February:
Feb 27
Vicente Silveira, Data Science, Engineering leader & BayBrazil Chairman of the Board, had a live dialogue with entrepreneurs of Cubo, in Sao Paulo, on AI & the future of work. With the support of Grupo SEB & Escola Concept, the dialogue is part of BayBrazil’s Tête-a-Tech program dedicated to promoting knowledge sharing among tech communities in Brazil & Silicon Valley. Watch it here.
Feb 27
Fintech startup N26 plans to launch its retail banking service in Brazil and will compete with another challenger bank in Brazil, Nubank. N26 recently raised $300 million at a $2.7 billion valuation.
Feb 26
Three weeks after announcing a partial sale to XP Investimentos, fintech Olivia, created by Brazilians in Silicon Valley, completed its first round of fundraising with the entry of another investor. The BR Startups fund will invest R$ 1.5 million.
Feb 25
In an interview with EXAME magazine, Itali Collini, operations director of 500 Startups in Brazil, talks about the bets of the accelerator in the country and explains why the Silicon Valley accelerator invested in 43 Brazilian startups.
Feb 22
Fast Company just released its list of 2019 most innovative companies. Topping Latin America’s list is Brazilian fintech Nubank, also among the top 50 globally. The list also includes Grow Mobility, Apli, Magazine Luiza, Rappi, Cliengo, Movile, Pagseguro.
Feb 20
Brazilian audiobook company Ubook is preparing for an initial IPO in Canada in the second half of the year, estimating to raise between $ 8 million and $ 15 million in the transaction.
Feb 13
IBM will create a research center in the area of artificial intelligence (AI) in Brazil. The unit, which will be set up in partnership with the Foundation for Research Support of the State of São Paulo (FAPESP), will receive an investment of US$ 20 million in 10 years. Half of these resources will be shared equally between IBM and FAPESP and the other part will come from one or more universities that join in a consortium.
Feb 12
Neoway, a Brazilian data analysis company, acquired Sevennova for $ 15 million and expanded its operations to the digital marketing segment.
Feb 8
Layer 2, a Brazilian multinational company specializing in technology services, announced the acquisition and control of Hubify, a digital performance marketing agency founded in 2016 and resident of Cubo Itaú.
Feb 8
Ribon, a startup that enables people to donate money to NGOs without spending, finalized a round of investments worth R$ 1,15 million. The private part of the fundraising was led by Redpoint eventures.
Feb 6
BTG Pactual had its first round of investment in startups. The total amount invested is almost R$ 10 million in three deals. The selected companies were Digesto, of legal content, Finpass, a kind of credit bag for small and medium-sized companies, and Agronow, monitoring of satellite crops. All with strong technology profile and artificial intelligence, but with origins in different sectors.
Feb 5
XP invests in Olivia, startup that helps users save money. Founded by two Brazilians in Silicon Valley, Olivia uses artificial intelligence to give behavioral cues and the system will now guide to XP’s investments.
Feb1
Startup Adianta, fintech focused on anticipating receivables for small and medium-sized companies, has just received a new investment in the amount of R$ 8 million. The new round includes former investors such as Yellow Ventures and OsherTech, and the new investors are DGF Investimentos and 42K Investimentos.
