Brazilian fintech Asaas has launched a new business division named "Drones" to foster internal innovation and accelerate its expansion beyond core payment services. This intrapreneurship initiative is a key component of the company's redefined growth strategy. The program is spearheaded by Pedro Rocha, who was recently appointed as the Vice President of New Businesses.
A Strategic Shift Towards Internal Innovation
The Drones program represents the "Create" pillar in Asaas's four-pronged expansion strategy, which also includes "Build" (core product evolution), "Buy" (mergers and acquisitions), and "Partners" (third-party solutions). This new venture complements the company's recent M&A activities, which saw the acquisition of startups like NextInvoice and Mutuus. The initiative aims to develop new solutions from the ground up.
According to VP Pedro Rocha, the move towards internal development addresses the inherent limitations of an M&A-only approach. Finding the right company at the right time and for a suitable price is not always possible. The Drones initiative provides Asaas with the agility to build necessary products internally, ensuring they are perfectly tailored to its ecosystem.
Operational Framework of the Drones Program
To select its first project, Asaas organized an internal competition modeled after "Shark Tank," where experienced SaaS and fintech professionals presented business cases. These proposals were based on strategic hypotheses developed internally by the company's leadership. The inaugural project has already been chosen and is scheduled to commence this June.
The selected intrapreneur is hired as a full-time employee, receiving a dedicated team, financial backing, and direct access to Asaas's customer base for product validation. The initial project phase is slated for six months, with a potential timeline of up to three years before the new solution is fully integrated. This structure is designed to provide focus and speed.
Future Ambitions and Market Position
Asaas is well-positioned to fund this strategic venture, having generated over R$ 500 million in revenue last year. The company's financial standing was further bolstered by an R$ 820 million funding round in 2024, led by the global investment fund BOND. This robust financial backing enables the fintech to sustain multiple growth projects concurrently.
The long-term vision is to create a deeply integrated ecosystem where internally developed "drones" interact with each other and with acquired companies. Rocha envisions this synergy building an increasingly comprehensive suite of services for the small and medium-sized enterprises Asaas serves. The focus areas for initial projects include credit, CRM, and marketing tools.
The launch of the Drones division marks a significant strategic evolution for Asaas, demonstrating a commitment to proactive and controlled innovation. By cultivating new ventures internally, the fintech aims to complement its acquisition strategy and accelerate the development of a holistic financial ecosystem. This move positions Asaas to better serve its SME clients and solidify its leadership in the competitive fintech landscape.