Chilebased 35m Seriesann Azevedotechcrunch – Ann Azevedo is a Chile-based journalist and writer who has been covering the Latin American startup scene for more than a decade. Her work has been published in a variety of outlets, including TechCrunch, where she has been a contributor since 2014.
In a recent article for TechCrunch, Azevedo discussed the success of the 35m Series A funding round raised by Chilean startup Fintual. The round was led by MSA Capital and was also backed by new investors CoVenture and K50 Ventures, as well as existing investors Kaszek Ventures, ALLVP, and Y Combinator.
Fintual is a robo-advisor platform that allows users to invest in a variety of mutual funds based on their risk profile and investment goals. The platform uses algorithms to create a personalized investment portfolio for each user and automatically rebalances the portfolio as market conditions change.
According to Azevedo, the success of Fintual’s funding round is a testament to the growing maturity of the Latin American startup ecosystem. She notes that the region has traditionally been underserved by venture capital investors, with most funding going to more established markets such as the United States and Europe.
However, in recent years, there has been a surge of interest in the Latin American market, driven by the success of companies such as MercadoLibre, Rappi, and Nubank. These companies have shown that there is significant potential for innovation and growth in the region, and investors are starting to take notice.
Azevedo points out that Fintual’s success is not just a result of the company’s innovative technology, but also of its strong team and business model. The company’s founders, Pedro Pineda and Omar Larré, both have extensive experience in the finance industry and have a deep understanding of the needs of investors.
In addition, Fintual’s business model is focused on providing value to its users, rather than just generating revenue. The company charges a low fee of just 1% per year, which is significantly lower than the fees charged by traditional mutual funds. This has helped Fintual to attract a loyal user base and has made it a popular choice for millennials and other investors who are looking for low-cost, high-quality investment options.
Azevedo also notes that Fintual’s success is just one example of the growing startup ecosystem in Chile and throughout Latin America. She highlights other successful startups in the region, such as Ualá, a mobile banking app that has raised more than $400 million in funding, and Nubank, a Brazilian neobank that recently raised $400 million in a Series G funding round.
According to Azevedo, the success of these startups is a reflection of the growing innovation and entrepreneurial spirit in Latin America. She notes that many of these startups are focused on solving real-world problems and addressing the needs of underserved populations, such as the unbanked and underbanked.
Azevedo concludes her article by noting that while there are still challenges facing the Latin American startup ecosystem, such as regulatory barriers and limited access to capital, the region is poised for continued growth and innovation. She encourages investors to take a closer look at the opportunities in the region and to support the entrepreneurs who are driving change and creating new value in the market.