Here are the highlights on Brazil’s tech and business scene in September:
September 30
Tembici became the survivor among shared bicycles – and raised another R$420 million.The funds came from equity and financing. In equity, the C series was led by Crescera Capital, and other funds that participated in the round are Endeavor Catalyst, Igah Ventures, IFC, Pipo Capital, Redpoint eventures and Valor Capital Group. In financing, the startup raised funds with Itaú and Santander in specific lines for ESG businesses.
September 30
The startup Hi Platform raised R$ 35 million in a the Series A round led by XMS Partners.
September 29
Andela, an African startup with operations in Brazil, raised US$ 200 million in an investment led by Softbank. With the Series E round, the company is now a unicorn, valued at US$1.5 billion.
September 29
Supply management software Neogrid acquired e-commerce solutions Lett for R$38 million.
September 14
The Brazilian startup Cayena, which develops solutions for the food sector, raised a RS$ 20 million Series A round led by European fund Picus Capital and followed by Chinese fund MSA Capital, Astella Investimentos, Coca-Cola Femsa, FJ Labs. Canary and the fund Norte Ventures completed the funding round.
September 14
SoftBank launched the SoftBank Latin America Fund II, the second dedicated private investment fund focused on tech companies located in LatAm. The new fund has an initial US$3 billion commitment and builds upon the US$5 billion Latin America Fund, which was first announced in March 2019. “In LatAm, tech entrepreneurs are building the future for everyone else.” sayid Managing Partner Shu Nyatta.
September 13
MercadoLibre and venture capital fund Kaszek announced the creation of a special-purpose acquisition company to invest in digital businesses in Latin America. The company, dubbed Meli Kaszek Pioneer, has already applied for registration with SEC for an IPO of 25 million.
September 2
Brazil-based insurance startup Pier raised a US$20 million investment, led by Raiz Investimento. Currently, Pier sells insurance for smartphones and cars through a digital platform and seeks regulatory approval to expand into the auto sector and life and home insurance.
September 1
Fintech TruePay raised a US$8.5 million Seed round from Kaszek and Monashees round to facilitate credit for shopkeepers, bolstered by Brazil’s cenbank’s new rule for receivables. The GFC and ONEVC funds also participated in the Seed round.
