Felipe Miranda, a central figure behind Empiricus, is launching a new wealthtech called Dylan months after leaving the company. The new venture aims to bring artificial intelligence into financial advisory at scale, initially targeting investors with at least R$100,000 in assets. Miranda said the goal is to do for financial consulting what Empiricus did for investment research by making it accessible to a wider audience.
Ownership and Capital Structure
The ownership structure includes Miranda, former Empiricus executives Bruno Mérola and Larissa Quaresma, and Lucas Neri, who previously worked as a portfolio specialist at Itaú. Gustavo Andrade Rocha and Carlos Queiroz agreed to acquire a 15% stake in the company for R$2.5 million. The remaining 85% is held by the founding group, and Miranda noted that the initial capital is sufficient to maintain operations for about one year.
Technical Leadership
Carlos Queiroz brings experience leading AI-based platform implementations at DBS and Standard Chartered in Singapore, two institutions known for digital transformation. He currently serves as a managing director at OCBC and will act as a consultant at Dylan while overseeing the technology team. Gustavo Andrade Rocha is an entrepreneur and investor with a background in technology and telecommunications, and he is a member of the family behind Riachuelo.
Hybrid Advisory Model
Dylan will operate through a hybrid approach combining deterministic market data curated by Miranda and his team with insights generated by artificial intelligence. The system will map an investor's financial situation and goals, recommend portfolios, and make adjustments when needed. This design seeks to deliver personalized guidance without relying exclusively on human advisors, which supports the company's ambition to scale financial consulting.
Market Momentum and Competition
Dylan enters a space where BTG Pactual and Nubank are already working on internal AI-based advisory services for clients who do not qualify for high net worth personal service. In August, Decade, founded by former Nubank CTO Vitor Olivier, raised the largest Seed round in Latin America at US$85 million to build an AI-powered financial planning platform. Miranda said that if the Selic rate declines under the next government, demand for more sophisticated products beyond tax exempt fixed income should grow.
Pricing Strategy
The service is expected to cost about R$200 per month, though final pricing has not been defined. For an investor with R$100,000, this represents roughly 2.4% of assets per year, which is more than double the fee charged by traditional consultancies. Miranda argued that the expense becomes justified as the portfolio grows and the service creates value, and he noted that lower AI costs could reduce the price before launch.
Fundraising Plans
Miranda said that the initial capital is sufficient to maintain the business for approximately one year. The minimum viable product is expected to be completed within six months, after which the company intends to raise additional funds from venture capital firms. This next funding stage is expected to support the platform's broader launch, and venture capital is seen as a key enabler for reaching scale.
Dylan represents an effort to bring scalable, technology-driven financial advisory to a broader segment of Brazilian investors. With experienced leadership in both finance and artificial intelligence, the company is positioning itself alongside established banks and well-funded startups. Its success will depend on execution, pricing, and the ability to deliver personalized guidance at scale, while the broader industry continues shifting toward AI-enabled wealth management in Latin America.
Source: Brazil Journal