Somos, a rapidly expanding Colombian internet service provider, has secured $40 million in a Series B funding round. The investment, co-led by Bracket Capital and Ribbit Capital, will fuel the company's ambitious plans to triple its footprint in Colombia and launch its first international operation in Mexico City. This strategic move positions Somos to build critical digital infrastructure across Latin America for the burgeoning AI era.
A Vertically Integrated Infrastructure Model
Unlike traditional internet providers that often share bandwidth among users, Somos has developed a unique network architecture called FiberX. This system, inspired by data center design, delivers dedicated fiber connectivity directly to each customer, ensuring superior performance and reliability. The company's approach is built on vertical integration, controlling every layer of its service stack.
This control extends from its custom network management software to its proprietary Orb routers, which are manufactured in-house. By building its own hardware and software, Somos achieves significant unit economic advantages that improve as the company scales. This comprehensive model allows for rapid innovation and a customer experience defined by transparent pricing and no long-term contracts.
Proven Growth and Market Penetration
Since its inception in Medellín's underserved neighborhoods in 2021, Somos has demonstrated remarkable growth, becoming the city's third-largest provider. The company now employs over 1,000 people and serves a base of 80,000 customers, which is expanding by 6,000 each month. This rapid expansion is supported by strong financial performance, with projected revenues of $30 million for the current year.
The company's reliability has attracted major enterprise clients, including regional giants like Mercado Libre and Rappi. This success is attributed to an obsessive focus on the customer, powered by AI-supported human agents and a streamlined service model. The strong market traction in Colombia provides a solid foundation for its planned international expansion.
Investor Backing for a Broader Vision
The $40 million funding round saw participation from notable investors such as Union Square Ventures, KASZEK, and Y Combinator. Investors are betting not just on a successful telecom business but on the expansive vision of founder Forrest Heath. They see the potential for Somos to become a multi-billion-dollar company by fundamentally rethinking regional infrastructure.
Heath's ambition extends beyond internet service to creating a new infrastructure layer for the AI age, a concept he calls "Americas Dynamism." This includes a sister company, Autoridad Panandina (APD), aimed at building data centers to provide cheaper AI compute resources by leveraging Colombia's abundant hydroelectric power. This long-term strategy is what investors believe could transform Somos into a generational business.
Future-Proofing Latin America for AI
Somos operates on the premise that if compute is the brain of the AI era, high-speed fiber connectivity is its essential nervous system. Much of Latin America currently lacks this foundational infrastructure, presenting a significant opportunity for growth and impact. The company's mission is to deflate the cost of this basic infrastructure through technological innovation.
By providing abundant and affordable fiber connectivity, Somos aims to future-proof the region for the demands of artificial intelligence. This involves not only connecting homes and businesses but also enabling a new ecosystem of digital services and opportunities. The recent hiring of former Google Fiber leader Jill Szuchmacher as COO underscores the company's commitment to scaling this ambitious vision.
This latest infusion of capital marks a pivotal moment for Somos, validating its innovative model and accelerating its mission. The company is moving beyond being a regional ISP to becoming a cornerstone of Latin America's digital transformation. By building the underlying "nervous system" for the AI economy, Somos is poised to unlock new potential for technological development and economic growth across the Americas.