International Finance Corporation

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is a member of The World Bank Group that focuses on fostering sustainable economic growth in developing countries through private sector investment. It provides a range of financial services, including loans, equity investments, quasi-equity products, and advisory services aimed at supporting startups and various stages of company development. IFC invests in sectors such as agribusiness, financial services, health, education, infrastructure, global manufacturing, oil and gas, telecommunications, and tourism, with a particular emphasis on projects that promote food security, digital finance, and affordable healthcare. The organization targets investments ranging from $1 million to $100 million, often seeking minority stakes but may also take a majority position in its portfolio companies. IFC aims to create jobs, generate tax revenues, and enhance corporate governance in emerging markets, thus contributing positively to local communities. Established in 1956 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., IFC operates globally with offices across various regions, focusing its efforts on financing projects that align with its mission of improving lives in developing countries.

Hyung K. Ahn

Principal Investment Officer

Irene Arias

Global Director of Financial Institutions Group and Director of Latin America and the Caribbean

Georgina Baker

Vice President, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Europe and Central Asia

Paulo de Bolle

Global Director

Peter Joseph Cashion

Head of Climate Finance FIG and CIO

Andrea Engel

Senior Country Officer, Principal Country Officer and Principal Country Manager

Rapti Goonesekere

Principal Economist

Christian Grossmann

Director for Climate Change

Mandeep Julka

Associate Investment Officer

Rana Karadsheh

Principal Investment Officer and Country Manager

Kyle Kelhofer

Country Manager for Vietnam

Alzbeta Klein

Global Industries Director and Director of Climate Business

Galina Vsevolodovna Klimenko

Principal Investment Officer of Financial Markets

Toshitake Kurosawa

Director

André Laude

CIO of Climate Finance

Mouayed Makhlouf

Regional Director of Middle East and North Africa

Paolo M. Martelli

Regional Industry Director of Latin America and the Caribbean

Atul Mehta

Senior Director of Telecom, Media and Tech, Venture Investing and Funds

Vivek Pathak

Director of East Asia and Pacific

Mary Porter Peshka

Director of Cross-cutting Advisory Services

Tomasz Telma

Senior Director of Manufacturing, Agri. and Services

Mary Beth Ward

Principal Syndications Officer and Team Leader

Tracy Washington

Principal Investment Officer for Global PE Funds and Regional and Sectoral Lead of SME Ventures Program

Al Murshed, Walid

Principal Country Officer

Past deals in Brazil

Nubank

Post in 2023
Nubank issues, administrate, processes, and transfers payments related to post-paid credit cards and equity investment in other entities. It serves clients in Brazil. The company launched its proprietary loyalty rewards program ("Nubank Rewards"), as well as a digital account ("NuConta") that is already used by more than 17 million people. In Cristina Junqueira, David Velez, and Edward Wible founded EO2 Solucoes de Pagamento on May 6, 2013 that became Nubank in on June 25, 2013. It has its headquarters in São Paulo in Brazil.

Usina Santa Adélia

Debt Financing in 2022
Usina Santa Adélia Produces agro-industrial food and energy from renewable sources, with strict quality and sustainability standards.

Arquivei

Series B in 2021
Arquivei is a Brazilian company based in São Carlos that specializes in electronic invoice monitoring and management. Its platform provides a web application that automatically downloads and stores digital tax documents, such as NFes, in the cloud. By connecting to the Department of Finance, Arquivei allows businesses to access their issued NFes and related documents without the need for software installation. Users can view, print, search, and filter invoices by various criteria, enabling efficient management of their tax documentation. The platform also supports accountants by providing access to client invoices and features for monitoring and centralizing various tax documents. Additionally, Arquivei offers intelligent search capabilities and reporting tools, facilitating better compliance with regulatory requirements and enhancing business intelligence derived from fiscal documents.

Odata S.A.

Debt Financing in 2021
Odata S.A. operates a network of data centers across Latin America, specializing in colocation services and infrastructure solutions for electronic equipment. The company offers a range of services, including space leasing for processing, data storage, communication, and network infrastructure, as well as exchange management for telecommunications operators, internet service providers, and content providers. Additionally, Odata provides consulting and support services, encompassing the installation, maintenance, and monitoring of information technology and communication equipment. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in São Paulo, Brazil, Odata S.A. was previously known as P2 Brasil Investimentos VII S.A. before rebranding in 2015.

Contabilizei

Series C in 2021
Contabilizei offers an online accounting service for small and micro enterprises. The company positively impacted the lives of thousands of micro and small businesses by implementing cost-effective, intelligent online accounting. Fábio Bacarin and Vitor Torres founded it in January 2014, with its headquarters in Curitiba in Brazil.

Tembici

Series B in 2020
Tembici is a prominent micro-mobility company in Latin America, specializing in first and last mile transportation solutions for daily commuters. The company offers shared electric bike rental services designed to integrate bicycles into the urban transport network. By providing accessible parking facilities and rental options, Tembici enables both public and private entities, including residential and corporate clients, to navigate urban environments efficiently while minimizing space usage.

LD Celulose

Debt Financing in 2019
LD Celulose is a joint venture owned by the Austrian group Lenzing and by the Brazilian group Duratex

Contabilizei

Series B in 2019
Contabilizei offers an online accounting service for small and micro enterprises. The company positively impacted the lives of thousands of micro and small businesses by implementing cost-effective, intelligent online accounting. Fábio Bacarin and Vitor Torres founded it in January 2014, with its headquarters in Curitiba in Brazil.

Mandaê

Series B in 2018
Mandaê Serviços de Consultoria em Logística LTDA provides air logistics services for packing and delivery. The company was incorporated in 2014 and is based in São Paulo, Brazil.

Koin

Series A in 2018
Koin is a developer of a post-pay application that provides instant credit and installment payment options for online purchases. The application enhances consumer confidence by allowing users to make payments only after receiving their products, ensuring a secure transaction experience. This approach not only facilitates online shopping but also helps businesses improve customer satisfaction by reducing the financial risk associated with online purchases.

Creditas

Series C in 2017
Creditas is a financial technology company based in São Paulo, Brazil, specializing in secured consumer loans. Founded by Sergio Furio, the company operates a digital platform that leverages credit scoring and borrower assets, such as homes and automobiles, as collateral to provide loans. This approach allows Creditas to offer affordable lending solutions by partnering with traditional financial institutions and utilizing investor-backed resources. The platform is designed to enable borrowers to repay their loans in manageable installments, thereby making financing more accessible.

Guiabolso

Series D in 2017
GuiaBolso is a digital platform in Brazil that connects consumers to various financial products through an in-app marketplace, enabling real-time access and origination. By utilizing proprietary bank account aggregation technology, GuiaBolso offers users a comprehensive view of their finances, along with free credit bureau reports. This innovative approach allows users to access a range of fairly-priced loans based on actual credit risk, which is particularly significant in a market lacking a national credit score and characterized by high interest spreads. The platform also streamlines budgeting and financial control, automating processes and helping users select financial products from a curated list of partners. GuiaBolso's mission is to enhance individuals' financial well-being by providing the necessary information for better financial decision-making.

Guiabolso

Series D in 2017
GuiaBolso is a digital platform in Brazil that connects consumers to various financial products through an in-app marketplace, enabling real-time access and origination. By utilizing proprietary bank account aggregation technology, GuiaBolso offers users a comprehensive view of their finances, along with free credit bureau reports. This innovative approach allows users to access a range of fairly-priced loans based on actual credit risk, which is particularly significant in a market lacking a national credit score and characterized by high interest spreads. The platform also streamlines budgeting and financial control, automating processes and helping users select financial products from a curated list of partners. GuiaBolso's mission is to enhance individuals' financial well-being by providing the necessary information for better financial decision-making.

Creditas

Series B in 2017
Creditas is a financial technology company based in São Paulo, Brazil, specializing in secured consumer loans. Founded by Sergio Furio, the company operates a digital platform that leverages credit scoring and borrower assets, such as homes and automobiles, as collateral to provide loans. This approach allows Creditas to offer affordable lending solutions by partnering with traditional financial institutions and utilizing investor-backed resources. The platform is designed to enable borrowers to repay their loans in manageable installments, thereby making financing more accessible.

Grupo Los Grobo

Private Equity Round in 2016
Grupo Los Grobo is a leading agribusiness and investment company both in Brazil and the whole of Latin America in terms of the production and commercialization of agricultural commodities. They offer a broad, integrated and diversified business platform that covers agricultural land development, services that go from input provision to technical and financial assistance for small producers, as well as our own farming activities, wheat processing and commodities industrialization.

Guiabolso

Series C in 2016
GuiaBolso is a digital platform in Brazil that connects consumers to various financial products through an in-app marketplace, enabling real-time access and origination. By utilizing proprietary bank account aggregation technology, GuiaBolso offers users a comprehensive view of their finances, along with free credit bureau reports. This innovative approach allows users to access a range of fairly-priced loans based on actual credit risk, which is particularly significant in a market lacking a national credit score and characterized by high interest spreads. The platform also streamlines budgeting and financial control, automating processes and helping users select financial products from a curated list of partners. GuiaBolso's mission is to enhance individuals' financial well-being by providing the necessary information for better financial decision-making.

Affero Lab

Private Equity Round in 2015
Affero Lab Participações S.A., through its subsidiaries, provides corporate learning and employee training solutions for customers in Brazil and internationally. The company’s products include PLUG.IT, a platform to manage the learning process for larger and disperse group; customized learning solutions and educational logistics; and leadership, first-time manager, and trainee and intern programs. It also offers sales training and consulting services. The company was founded in 2010 and is based in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil with additional offices in São Paulo and Juiz de Fora Brazil; and Dublin, Ireland.

YellowPepper

Series C in 2015
YellowPepper is a pioneering company in Latin America specializing in mobile banking and payment solutions. Founded in 2004 and headquartered in Miami, Florida, it operates throughout several countries, including Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, with plans to expand into Brazil. The company develops a digital finance platform that enables banks, mobile network operators, merchants, and consumers to access a comprehensive payment ecosystem. Its offerings include a white-labeled mobile payment platform that supports various operating systems and communication protocols, such as NFC, BLE, and QR codes, facilitating cashless transactions. Additionally, YellowPepper provides an m-banking suite that helps banks adapt to the evolving needs of their clients. Backed by Visa and having received the first equity investment from the International Finance Corporation for a mobile financial company in Latin America, YellowPepper combines extensive market knowledge with advanced payment technology to enhance the purchasing experience across the region.

Dafiti

Funding Round in 2014
Dafiti is an e-commerce platform based in São Paulo, Brazil, specializing in footwear, fashion, and lifestyle products for men and women. Established in 2010, it offers a diverse catalog featuring over 100,000 products from more than 1,000 national and international brands. The platform is designed to provide a seamless shopping experience, allowing customers to browse a wide range of apparel, shoes, accessories, and beauty products all in one place. With a commitment to competitive pricing and efficient delivery, Dafiti aims to meet the needs of modern consumers seeking convenience and variety in online shopping. The company is supported by prominent investors, including the Rocket Internet group, JP Morgan, and the World Bank.

YellowPepper

Series C in 2013
YellowPepper is a pioneering company in Latin America specializing in mobile banking and payment solutions. Founded in 2004 and headquartered in Miami, Florida, it operates throughout several countries, including Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, with plans to expand into Brazil. The company develops a digital finance platform that enables banks, mobile network operators, merchants, and consumers to access a comprehensive payment ecosystem. Its offerings include a white-labeled mobile payment platform that supports various operating systems and communication protocols, such as NFC, BLE, and QR codes, facilitating cashless transactions. Additionally, YellowPepper provides an m-banking suite that helps banks adapt to the evolving needs of their clients. Backed by Visa and having received the first equity investment from the International Finance Corporation for a mobile financial company in Latin America, YellowPepper combines extensive market knowledge with advanced payment technology to enhance the purchasing experience across the region.

Accion

Venture Round in 2011
Accion is a global nonprofit organization founded in 1961 and headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, focused on enhancing financial inclusion for underserved populations. The organization partners with financial service providers to deliver high-quality, affordable financial solutions that benefit individuals, small businesses, and communities. Accion's initiatives include providing advisory services, targeted coaching, and governance support for startups, particularly in the fintech sector. Through its investment initiative, Venture Lab, Accion invests in early-stage fintech startups that leverage innovative technologies and business models to improve access to financial services. Venture Lab offers both capital and strategic support, helping these startups scale their operations and enhance their impact. Accion's mission is to create a financially inclusive world by challenging industry norms and engaging with leaders and regulators to foster a more equitable financial landscape.

YellowPepper

Series B in 2010
YellowPepper is a pioneering company in Latin America specializing in mobile banking and payment solutions. Founded in 2004 and headquartered in Miami, Florida, it operates throughout several countries, including Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, with plans to expand into Brazil. The company develops a digital finance platform that enables banks, mobile network operators, merchants, and consumers to access a comprehensive payment ecosystem. Its offerings include a white-labeled mobile payment platform that supports various operating systems and communication protocols, such as NFC, BLE, and QR codes, facilitating cashless transactions. Additionally, YellowPepper provides an m-banking suite that helps banks adapt to the evolving needs of their clients. Backed by Visa and having received the first equity investment from the International Finance Corporation for a mobile financial company in Latin America, YellowPepper combines extensive market knowledge with advanced payment technology to enhance the purchasing experience across the region.

Novica United

Series A in 2003
NOVICA United, Inc. is an e-commerce company based in Los Angeles, California, that specializes in providing a wide range of handmade accessories for both men and women. Established in 1998, the company collaborates with artisans from various countries, including Brazil, Peru, Mexico, Ghana, Indonesia, Thailand, India, and Guatemala, to offer over 30,000 unique and limited edition products daily. Their product line includes women's accessories such as shawls, scarves, hats, gloves, and travel accessories, as well as men's items like cufflinks, wallets, and walking sticks. NOVICA aims to empower global artisans, connect consumers with their creations, and preserve traditional artistic practices for future generations.