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Welcome to another edition of 🔍 Startup Researcher - Latin America, your essential digest delivering the latest news and premium insights on startups and venture capital across the region 🌍
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📰 Important News
- Brazil’s Central Bank and CMN issued new BaaS regulations, defining responsibilities, governance, and transparency while adding credit portability.
- ProntoPaga became Peru’s first PSP to use Yape On File, enabling secure recurring payments as both expanded instant digital payment adoption.
- Qurate expanded its video commerce platform to Peru and Argentina through organic growth and partnerships, turning videos into shoppable content.
- Refácil and Akua formed an alliance offering 35,000 Colombian merchants an AI-driven omnichannel payment system that cuts operational load.
- Keeta launched in São Paulo, intensifying Brazil’s delivery battle as Meituan expands to new cities and challenges iFood and 99Food amid disputes.
💸 Top Funding Rounds
- Clara received $70 million in structured debt from BBVA Spark, Covalto, and IFC to scale its financial automation platform and expand payment products.
- BHub raised $10 million from Next Billion and existing investors to scale its AI-driven full-stack accounting platform.
- ColmeIA closed $3.34 million from Crescera Capital reaching a $92.2 million valuation as it accelerates AI-first automation growth.
- Cenit secured $1.8 million in funding led by Hi Ventures to scale its mobile platform that automates tax management for freelancers and SMEs.
- Frankles raised $1 million led by Südlich Capital to scale its biotech process that turns agrifood byproducts into high-value biocompounds.
💰️ Notable Exits
- DOT Digital acquired Edusense to expand its corporate EdTech capabilities as it targets $185.77 million in revenue by 2030.
- Nubank acquihired dex Labs to strengthen its AI-first strategy expanding data and AI capabilities.
- Totvs acquired chatbot startup Suri for $5.2 million to strengthen RD Station and its conversational commerce strategy.
🏦 About Investors
- LightHouse launched an $18.58 million fund to back 12 to 15 early-stage tech startups in the Amazon region.
- Bazinho Ferraz launched Atmosphera to raise capital and invest across tech, retail, marketing, and finance while rebranding B&Partners as Biosphera.
🚀Startup of the Week
Introducing our Startup of the Week 🏆
Clara
Clara, founded in 2021 by Gerry Giacomán Colyer and Diego Iván García Escobedo, has quickly become one of Latin America’s fastest-scaling corporate payments platforms. Born in Mexico City, the company now serves more than 20,000 businesses with an integrated suite that includes corporate cards, invoice and bill payments, international transfers, and real-time expense management software. Clara recently secured a $70 million structured debt facility from BBVA Spark, Covalto, and IFC, adding to an existing Goldman Sachs line and reinforcing support from top global and regional investors. Led by CEO Giacomán Colyer, Clara is strengthening its presence in Mexico and Colombia as it works to modernize financial operations for enterprises across the region.
💼 Investor of the Week
Introducing our Investor of the Week 🏆
LightHouse
LightHouse Invest, founded in 2017 in Salvador, has emerged as a key venture capital player backing innovation in Brazil’s underserved North and Northeast regions. The firm focuses on early-stage tech startups, combining capital with hands-on support in governance, market access, and product-market fit. LightHouse recently launched an $18.58 million fund to invest in 12 to 15 Amazon-region startups, following the success of its first fund, LH Tech Ventures, which raised $11.2 million and backed seven companies. Led by partners Alexandre Darzé, Christian Dunce, Delamare Gurgel, Flavio Marinho, and Gustavo Menezes, LightHouse positions itself as a builder of high-impact ventures committed to accelerating regional innovation where capital is scarce but entrepreneurial potential is abundant.
🤑Opportunity Radar
Call for Applications: The Imagine H2O Accelerator
The Imagine H2O Accelerator is now open for applications until December 19, 2025, offering a zero-equity program designed to help early-stage water and climate tech founders scale globally. Startups gain access to world-class mentorship, pilot funding, investor networks, and a strong industry ecosystem, with participation open to teams worldwide, including all African markets. The 2026 program cycle begins soon, supporting innovators developing breakthrough solutions across water management, quality, access, and sustainability. Apply now to accelerate your technology and enter new markets.
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