"When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it." - Paulo Coelho
January 18, End Of Day
Talo Payments Inc.: Talo Payments is specializing in crypto payments infrastructure for businesses across Latin America. They have made significant strides, reaching 150 new customers in Q4 2024 and achieving a 50% month-over-month revenue growth since launching their Tiendanube Integration. Talo is expanding its services to Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Chile, and more, with a notable development in receiving Reales through PIX and instantly converting them to USDT. Collaborating with a strategic partner, they aim to extend their services to over 50,000 target businesses. Their achievements include an investment from Ripio Ventures, marking them as a key player in the LATAM crypto payments landscape. Dive deeper into the case here.
Cirkula: Cirkula is eliminating food waste in LATAM restaurants and stores. Their innovative approach focuses on reducing food waste and increasing profits by selling surplus quality food. Cirkula has established partnerships with Sodexo and pilots with Dunkin’ Donuts and Accor, showcasing their effectiveness. They emphasize selling the exact product rather than a "surprise bag," having saved over 250k products and more than 35 tons of food. With a network of over 400 stores and restaurants, Cirkula is actively transforming food waste management and contributing to a more sustainable future. Dive deeper into the case here.
Recylink: Based in Santiago, Chile, Recylink is revolutionizing waste management with its tech-driven ecosystem. This B-Corporation, profitable since July 2023, connects waste generators, transporters, and destinations, improving waste management communications. With a 2x YoY revenue growth and only a 2.3% churn rate since 2021, Recylink demonstrates a strong market presence. Their solution not only streamlines waste management but also contributes to sustainability. Dive deeper into the case here.
Dive deeper into other fundraising firms in LatAm here.
With the combination of market potential, technological readiness, investor interest, and a focus on underserved segments positions insurtech as a promising sector for substantial growth in Latin America:
Argentina: Argentina's President Javier Milei met with IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva at the World Economic Forum in Davos, discussing Argentina's economic challenges and the $44 billion IMF program. Milei, advocating for free markets and criticizing socialism, is pushing austerity measures to combat over 200% inflation and high poverty rates. His government is implementing major economic reforms, including spending cuts and deregulation, and aims to rebuild foreign currency reserves and spur growth, despite facing challenges like high poverty levels and potential social unrest.
Venezuela: Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro announced that the country's economy grew by over 5% in 2023 and is projected to grow by 8% in 2024. Despite previous struggles with hyperinflation and a significant emigration crisis, inflation in Venezuela eased to just under 190% last year, down from 234% the year before. Maduro plans to continue stimulating national production and improving worker incomes. State oil company PDVSA contributed $6.23 billion to government revenues last year, and with relaxed U.S. sanctions, increased oil income is expected to fund social spending and aid the government in the upcoming presidential election.
Chile: The Chilean government has partnered with Alphabet's Google to build the first undersea fiber-optic cable connecting South America and the Asia Pacific region. The Humboldt Cable Project, spanning 14,800 kilometers from Chile's Valparaiso to Sydney, Australia, aims to enhance Chile's role as a digital hub in South America. This initiative comes amidst heightened economic and political competition between China and the United States in Latin America, with undersea cables being a focal point of technological rivalry and concerns over data security.
Do investors understand your Pitch Decks?
Derin Keskin, Director at DOMiNO Ventures, & Guillaume Therien, Partner at Triptyq Capital, go through Latin American pitch decks and share their honest feedback on them.
📺 Watch here.
Thanks to the startups included!
Mokens League: a blockchain-based eSports that uses NFT characters to Play and Earn.
REVA: a sports platform that offers a complete solution for sports lovers in Latin America, with a market network for bookings and a competition manager to help users find the perfect game.
If you want to be considered for future reviews send an email to info@helmi.la
