Weekly Funding Highlights in LATAM Region - Week 35, 2025 (Infographic)

In a week marked by significant investments in Latin American startups, four companies have secured funding to expand their operations and strengthen their presence in various sectors.

First, Kira, a payments infrastructure startup founded in 2024, announced it had raised $6.7 million in seed funding, led by Blockchange Ventures. This investment will support the expansion of Kira's sales and technology teams and help the company establish a stronger position in new regions and product verticals. Kira's innovative financial infrastructure combines stablecoins, AI-powered compliance, and plug-and-play APIs, enabling companies to launch global fintech products without the need for blockchain expertise or complex regulatory approval.

Mercado de Recebíveis, a Brazilian fintech company, also closed a new funding round, securing $118 million in a strategic investment. The company, which reached break-even in May and launched its own credit card this year in partnership with Visa, expects more than R$1 billion ($184.7 million) in processed volume this year and aims for R$10 billion ($1.85 billion) in POS transactions in 2025. The investment gives Starian the autonomy and scale to consolidate leadership in Brazil's software landscape.

Another fintech startup, Guama, based in Colombia, raised $1.5 million in a seed round. Guama provides credit cards to underbanked individuals without traditional credit histories by using cashflow-based underwriting.

VAAS, a Brazilian risk management startup founded in 2023, secured $3.7 million in a funding round. VAAS connects more than 40 data and intelligence agencies to help companies prevent fraud and manage compliance. The startup has more than 30 clients, including GWM, Stellantis, and Banco Mercantil, and has reached R$12 million ($2.2 million) in ARR, aiming to hit R$45 million ($8.3 million) by 2026.

In addition to these investments, General Atlantic invested in Starian, acting as a minority partner, while Latin American startups secured over $144 million across various sectors this week. The funding round for Kira also included participation from Stellar Development Foundation, Vamos Ventures, Grit Ventures, Michael Seibel, and Oso Trava. The funding round for VAAS was led by Headline and included participation from ABSeed, Honey Island, and 4UM Investimentos.

Both Kira and Mercado de Recebíveis have already shown promising growth, with Kira generating $3 million in revenue and Mercado de Recebíveis reaching over 6,000 active users and more than 75,000 applications, processing $1.6 million in transactions to date. Kira plans to expand into five countries within the next 18 months with new offerings such as yield-bearing accounts and international credit services. Starian, launched with 16,000 customers, offers specialized software ecosystems in construction, legal intelligence, and operational efficiency, and plans to use the investment for acquisitions, strengthening existing verticals, and expanding into new markets.

These investments highlight the growing interest in Latin American startups and the potential for these companies to make a significant impact in the global market. As these startups continue to grow and innovate, it will be exciting to see how they shape the future of their respective industries.