
Kaszek
Description
Kaszek is a preeminent venture capital firm deeply embedded in the Latin American technology ecosystem, co-founded in 2011 by Hernan Kazah and Nicolas Szekasy, both former executives of MercadoLibre. Based in Montevideo, Uruguay, the firm has established itself as a pivotal investor in the region's burgeoning tech scene, focusing on disruptive technology-based companies that address large market opportunities. Kaszek's unique advantage stems from its founders' extensive operational experience in building and scaling a multi-billion dollar tech enterprise, providing invaluable strategic guidance to its portfolio companies.
The firm employs a multi-stage investment strategy, deploying capital from seed to growth stages, with a particular emphasis on leading early-stage rounds, including Seed, Series A, and Series B. Kaszek has consistently raised increasingly larger funds, reflecting its growing influence and commitment to the region's entrepreneurial landscape. For instance, their fifth set of funds, announced in 2022, collectively amounted to an impressive $975 million. This capital was strategically divided into a $525 million fund dedicated to early-stage investments and a $450 million fund for growth-stage opportunities, enabling the firm to support its ventures comprehensively from inception through significant scaling.
Kaszek's portfolio is a testament to its ability to identify and nurture future industry leaders, featuring numerous Latin American tech unicorns such as Nubank, Kavak, QuintoAndar, and NotCo. These investments underscore the firm's success in backing companies that not only achieve rapid growth but also fundamentally transform their respective sectors across the continent. Kaszek is renowned for its hands-on approach, actively partnering with founders to navigate challenges and accelerate growth, solidifying its reputation as a preferred and impactful partner for ambitious technology startups throughout Latin America.
Investor Profile
Kaszek has backed more than 183 startups, with 18 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 66 rounds, about 36% of its total and boasts 25 exits across its portfolio.
Investment Focus Highlights
- Concentrates on Series A, Series B, Seed rounds (top funding stages).
- Majority of deals are located in Brazil, Mexico, Colombia.
- Strong thematic focus on Financial Services, FinTech, E-Commerce.
- Led 6 rounds in the past year.
- Typical check size: $1M – $20M.
Stage Focus
- Series A (32%)
- Series B (26%)
- Seed (17%)
- Series C (11%)
- Series Unknown (4%)
- Series D (4%)
- Series E (3%)
- Series G (1%)
- Series F (1%)
- Private Equity (1%)
Country Focus
- Brazil (54%)
- Mexico (20%)
- Colombia (7%)
- Argentina (5%)
- United States (5%)
- Chile (4%)
- Uruguay (2%)
- Ecuador (2%)
- Germany (1%)
Industry Focus
- Financial Services
- Fintech
- E-commerce
- Software
- Information Technology
- Banking
- Finance
- Payments
- Saas
- Internet
Frequently Asked Questions
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