Grupo Leste and Avenue, a financial platform with Itaú as a shareholder, have announced a strategic partnership to launch a new offshore credit fund. This initiative aims to raise an initial US$30 million for Brazilian investors as part of a larger US$335 million credit facility. The capital is designed to finance the US expansion of fleet management innovator Billor.
A Strategic Financial Partnership
This collaboration marks the first joint investment vehicle from Grupo Leste and Avenue, uniting two prominent Brazilian financial entrepreneurs. Led by CEOs Emmanuel Hermann of Leste and Roberto Lee of Avenue, the venture reflects their shared goal. Their vision is to provide Brazilian investors access to institutional-grade, structured products in the global market.
The new fund will be distributed on the Avenue platform with a minimum investment of US$10,000. It is structured as a credit opportunity with direct exposure to the US dollar, offering a unique proposition. The investment is secured by receivables from Billor's leasing contracts, providing collateral and a predictable dollar-denominated cash flow.
Fueling Billor's US Expansion
The proceeds from this capital raise are earmarked to accelerate the growth of Billor, a logistics technology firm founded by Jardel Cardoso. The primary objective is to dramatically increase the company's fleet of managed trucks in the United States. Billor aims to expand from its current 500 vehicles to an impressive 3,000 trucks by 2027.
Billor has set ambitious financial targets, projecting revenues to reach US$1.4 billion with a profit of US$250 million by 2028. This rapid growth is part of a larger strategy that includes a potential initial public offering (IPO) on a US stock exchange. The new funding is a critical step in consolidating its position in the American logistics sector.
An Innovative Business Model
Headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina, Billor operates a vertically integrated platform merging logistics, technology, and financial services. The company empowers independent truck drivers by offering a lease-to-own model, enabling them to become vehicle owners. This ecosystem is designed to enhance the profitability and autonomy of truckers in a competitive market.
Billor's system utilizes artificial intelligence to manage freight assignments, insurance, maintenance, and fuel, creating significant efficiencies. It streamlines finances by deducting all operational costs, including service fees and lease payments, directly from freight earnings. This integrated approach is creating a new generation of mobile entrepreneurs by transforming drivers' lives.
Connecting Brazilians to Global Markets
This partnership reflects a growing trend of international expansion for both Brazilian investors and entrepreneurs. According to Avenue's CEO Roberto Lee, the initiative supports Brazilian business leaders who are successfully scaling their ventures in the United States. The collaboration taps into the vast American trucking industry, a market valued at over US$1 trillion.
The two firms behind this venture are established leaders in their respective fields. Founded in 2014, Grupo Leste is a global alternative investment platform managing US$3.5 billion with a focus on US private equity. Avenue, founded in 2018 and backed by Itaú, is a premier platform for Brazilians investing abroad.
Ultimately, the alliance between Grupo Leste and Avenue represents a powerful convergence of financial innovation and entrepreneurial support. It provides Brazilian investors an asset-backed opportunity for dollar exposure while fueling the growth of a disruptive, Brazilian-led company. This initiative opens new avenues for investment and strengthens economic ties between Brazil and the US market.