Arnaud - Scenius LATAM
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arnaud-scenius.bsky.social
Arnaud - Scenius LATAM
@arnaud-scenius.bsky.social
Writing about Startups & VCs in Latin America | Venture Partner at Zenani Capital | Newsletter -> https://sceniusmexico.substack.com/
Mendel raises a US$35 million Series B round 🇲🇽

Mendel, a Mexico-based Fintech specializing in enterprise spend and travel management, offers a centralized platform that integrates expense management, payments, and corporate travel into a single AI-powered solution.
March 31, 2025 at 4:46 PM
🇨🇴 Yuno is Expanding to the Middle East

Colombian payments orchestration platform Yuno is expanding to the Middle East by establishing its regional headquarters in Qatar.
March 8, 2025 at 2:13 AM
🇲🇽 Yavendió US$850K Pre-Seed Round

Mexican startup Yavendió raised an US$850K pre-seed round to enhance its AI-powered WhatsApp sales automation platform.
March 5, 2025 at 4:03 PM
🇲🇽-🇨🇱 Impact Ventures PSM Seed New US$5 M Fund

Impact Ventures PSM and Impacta VC have launched Impact Ventures PSM Seed, a US$5 million pre-seed and seed fund to support up to 20 early-stage impact startups in Latin America.
March 3, 2025 at 6:54 PM
🇲🇽 VEMO Secures US$77 million in Financing

Cleantech VEMO secured $1,300 million pesos (approx. US$77 million) in financing to expand its Fintech arm, VEMO Impulso.
February 24, 2025 at 3:29 PM
🇻🇪 Telefónica to Invest US$500 Million in Venezuela

Telefónica is set to invest US$500 million in Venezuela to enhance its 4G network and deploy 5G technology using the Dynamic Spectrum Sharing scheme in the newly acquired 2,600 MHz band.
February 16, 2025 at 1:14 AM
🇧🇷 BYX Capital acquired Nvio from Bitso

BYX Capital, a Fintech specializing in payroll loans, has acquired Nvio, a direct credit company previously owned by Bitso.

The acquisition, pending approval from Brazil's Central Bank, will strengthen BYX’s banking structure and enhances transaction security
February 15, 2025 at 2:48 AM
Nubank Launches Mobile Operator NuCel

NuCel is the new mobile operator launched by Nubank in Colombia.

It aims to compete with major carriers like Claro and Tigo by offering flexible, affordable plans starting at $37,000 (approx. US$9).
February 13, 2025 at 9:01 PM
🇦🇷 Ualá Launched an AI-powered Chatbot

Fintech Ualá has launched an AI-powered chatbot called Uali, built on OpenAI’s GPT-4 model.

Uali not only understands user queries but also proactively offers personalized solutions to enhance the customer experience
February 13, 2025 at 1:41 AM
🇺🇸-🇲🇽 GenLogs raises US$14.6 million to go to Mexico

GenLogs is a freight intelligence platform that utilizes roadside sensors and cameras to collect data on trucks and trailers, applying methodologies inspired by counterterrorism operations to monitor equipment trends.
February 12, 2025 at 7:01 PM
🇲🇽 Niko Energy raises US$23 million in funding

Niko Energy is a solar startup building Mexico’s first virtual power plant (VPP) to address the country’s growing energy demand and grid instability.
February 12, 2025 at 12:56 AM
This week, Nubank rolled out its fixed-income product in Colombia 🇨🇴

In Mexico, the product is known as "Cajitas Congeladas" but over in Colombia, they chose the name CDT Nu to tap into the strong local savings culture and to use a term better known among Colombians: CDT.

Why does it matter?
February 11, 2025 at 1:57 AM
Startup Cheaf to Launches in Argentina

Mexican startup Cheaf is launching in Argentina, offering a platform where users can buy near-expiry food at up to 50% off from major supermarkets like Jumbo, Disco, and Vea.
February 7, 2025 at 5:20 PM
When you see this kind of data, you realize that the LATAM ecosystem still has a long road ahead.

Are you aware of the same kind of benchmark in the US?

Great work by the 500 LatAm team! We need more data to bring transparency and know where to focus our efforts to improve the ecosystem.
February 6, 2025 at 11:32 PM
Nestlé announces a US$1 billion investment in Mexico 🇲🇽

Swiss multinational Nestlé announced a US$1 billion investment in Mexico over the next three years to expand its production capacity, as part of the broader "Plan Mexico" initiative.
February 5, 2025 at 1:35 AM
In 2024, startup investments in Latin America surged by 23%, reaching US$4.27 billion across 621 rounds, up from US$3.4 billion in 2023, according to Distrito.

Brazil remained the regional leader, capturing US$2.14 billion from 391 rounds, followed by Mexico and Colombia.
February 3, 2025 at 6:11 PM
🇦🇷 Salesforce to invest US$500 million in Argentina

Salesforce has announced a plan to invest US$500 million in Argentina over the next five years, focusing on AI innovation, workforce development, and the digital transformation of the public sector.
January 28, 2025 at 1:16 AM
🇨🇴 Launches Bre-B its own instant payment system

Colombia will launch Bre-B, an instant payment system, in September 2025, aiming to boost financial inclusion, streamline digital transactions, and reduce cash usage.
January 26, 2025 at 1:44 AM
🇲🇽 Jüsto partners with Uber Eats

Digital supermarket Jüsto has partnered with Uber Eats to offer over 6,000 fresh, organic, and household products through its app in Mexico City, Monterrey, and Querétaro.
January 24, 2025 at 3:27 AM
Insurtech Olé Life raises US$13 million in Series B round

The startup aims to transform financial security in Latin America by providing fully digital life insurance solutions tailored to regional needs, including USD-denominated policies.
January 23, 2025 at 1:29 AM
Tether Holdings announces plans to move to El Salvador

Tether, the issuer of the stablecoin USDT, announced plans to move all its operations and legal entity to El Salvador, where it will establish its global headquarters in a newly constructed skyscraper.
January 22, 2025 at 6:31 PM
The EU and Mexico modernize their economic agreement 🇲🇽🤝🇪🇺

The EU and Mexico finalized a long-negotiated trade deal to modernize their 20-year-old agreement, aiming to diversify economic ties amid global uncertainties and Donald Trump’s return to U.S. leadership.
January 22, 2025 at 2:33 AM
🇨🇱 Maihue raised US$1 million in funding

Chilean startup Maihue has secured US$1 million in funding to develop its innovative water purification dispenser technology, and to eliminate up to 50 million plastic bottles annually.
January 17, 2025 at 12:48 AM
🇨🇱 Buk raised a US$50 million Series B

Chilean HR tech Buk has raised US$50 million in its Series B funding round, reaching a valuation of US$850 million.
January 15, 2025 at 10:54 PM
🇺🇾 dLocal expand its services to the UK

Uruguayan dLocal, a payment platform for emerging markets, has expanded its services to UK merchants by obtaining an Authorised Payment Institution license from the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
January 14, 2025 at 11:56 PM