iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Arnaud - Scenius LATAM @arnaud-scenius.bsky.social · 31/03/2025

The startup will enter Chile, Colombia, and Peru in 2025, with plans to launch in Brazil by 2026.

Arnaud - Scenius LATAM @arnaud-scenius.bsky.social · 31/03/2025

With major clients such as Mercado Libre, FEMSA, and McDonald’s already onboard, Mendel plans to use the new funding to further enhance its artificial intelligence capabilities, refine its travel module, and expand its presence across Latin America.

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Arnaud - Scenius LATAM @arnaud-scenius.bsky.social · 31/03/2025

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.

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Arnaud - Scenius LATAM @arnaud-scenius.bsky.social · 08/03/2025

Yuno, founded in 2022 by former Rappi employees, enables businesses to access over 1,000 payment methods through a single integration and operates in more than 50 countries.

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Arnaud - Scenius LATAM @arnaud-scenius.bsky.social · 08/03/2025

Partnering with Invest Qatar, the company will develop localized payment solutions and tap into the region’s rapidly growing e-commerce market. The move aligns with Qatar’s national strategy to diversify its economy through fintech innovation.

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Arnaud - Scenius LATAM @arnaud-scenius.bsky.social · 08/03/2025

🇨🇴 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.

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Arnaud - Scenius LATAM @arnaud-scenius.bsky.social · 05/03/2025

The startup’s technology streamlines e-commerce by handling customer interactions, product recommendations, payments, and deliveries without human intervention. Founded in 2023, Yavendió has helped over 100 brands in Mexico and Peru boost sales by 30% while reducing operational costs by 80%.

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Arnaud - Scenius LATAM @arnaud-scenius.bsky.social · 05/03/2025

🇲🇽 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.

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Arnaud - Scenius LATAM @arnaud-scenius.bsky.social · 03/03/2025

With strong track records in impact investing, both organizations aim to bridge the early-stage funding gap by providing capital, mentorship, and strategic connections to help startups grow and drive sustainable change in the region.

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Arnaud - Scenius LATAM @arnaud-scenius.bsky.social · 03/03/2025

Targeting sectors like education, health, financial inclusion, and climate tech, the fund will offer investments between US$100,000 and US$300,000, prioritizing scalable tech-driven businesses.

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Arnaud - Scenius LATAM @arnaud-scenius.bsky.social · 03/03/2025

🇲🇽-🇨🇱 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.

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Arnaud - Scenius LATAM @arnaud-scenius.bsky.social · 24/02/2025

With over 3,500 drivers already financed, more than 50% choosing electric solutions, and strategic backing from investors like Riverstone and Orion Infrastructure Partners, VEMO aims to accelerate sustainable mobility while improving financial accessibility for drivers across Mexico.

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Arnaud - Scenius LATAM @arnaud-scenius.bsky.social · 24/02/2025

VEMO Impulso offers access to Mexico’s largest public EV charging network, specialized workshops, advanced telemetry, and performance-based incentives.

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Arnaud - Scenius LATAM @arnaud-scenius.bsky.social · 24/02/2025

This funding will support its vehicle leasing program, allowing independent mobility platform drivers to own electric vehicles through flexible financing options.

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Arnaud - Scenius LATAM @arnaud-scenius.bsky.social · 24/02/2025

🇲🇽 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.

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Arnaud - Scenius LATAM @arnaud-scenius.bsky.social · 16/02/2025

This major investment is expected to strengthen Venezuela's telecommunications infrastructure and provide a better user experience across both 4G and 5G networks.

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Arnaud - Scenius LATAM @arnaud-scenius.bsky.social · 16/02/2025

The rollout includes the installation of 805 nodes across the country, aiming to achieve near-national coverage and significantly improve connectivity, speed, and stability, particularly in urban and densely populated areas.

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Arnaud - Scenius LATAM @arnaud-scenius.bsky.social · 16/02/2025

🇻🇪 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.

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Arnaud - Scenius LATAM @arnaud-scenius.bsky.social · 15/02/2025

It is worth noting that Nvio is authorized as an Electronic Payments Institution in Mexico, suggesting that BYX Capital may leverage this license to enter the Mexican market and expand its footprint beyond Brazil.

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Arnaud - Scenius LATAM @arnaud-scenius.bsky.social · 15/02/2025

The company is now diversifying into collateralized credit, including home equity, vehicle financing, and receivables-backed loans, offering lower interest rates due to reduced risk.

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Arnaud - Scenius LATAM @arnaud-scenius.bsky.social · 15/02/2025

🇧🇷 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

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Arnaud - Scenius LATAM @arnaud-scenius.bsky.social · 13/02/2025

As part of Nubank's strategy to expand its ecosystem, NuCel is expected to eventually enter the Colombian market, further diversifying its offerings.

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Arnaud - Scenius LATAM @arnaud-scenius.bsky.social · 13/02/2025

Fully integrated into the Nubank app and initially available in Brazil for eSIM-compatible devices, the service provides unlimited calls, free WhatsApp data, and exclusive app benefits with automatic credit card billing.

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Arnaud - Scenius LATAM @arnaud-scenius.bsky.social · 13/02/2025

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).

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Arnaud - Scenius LATAM @arnaud-scenius.bsky.social · 13/02/2025

Pablo Guzzi, Ualá’s Chief Data & Analytics Officer, stated that this collaboration marks a significant milestone in delivering superior service. Initially available in Argentina, the platform will soon expand to Mexico and Colombia, with proactive support capabilities integrated into the Ualá app.

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Arnaud - Scenius LATAM @arnaud-scenius.bsky.social · 13/02/2025

🇦🇷 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

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Arnaud - Scenius LATAM @arnaud-scenius.bsky.social · 12/02/2025

With the new funding, GenLogs plans to enhance its intermodal insights by installing sensors at key ports to track freight flows from end to end and expand its operations into Mexico, starting along the border and eventually covering major highways throughout the country.

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Arnaud - Scenius LATAM @arnaud-scenius.bsky.social · 12/02/2025

Recently, GenLogs introduced a free investigative service to combat freight theft, which costs the industry US$800 million annually.

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Arnaud - Scenius LATAM @arnaud-scenius.bsky.social · 12/02/2025

🇺🇸-🇲🇽 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.

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Arnaud - Scenius LATAM @arnaud-scenius.bsky.social · 12/02/2025

With a 20% monthly growth in serviced projects, Niko aims to aggregate solar energy, home batteries, and EV chargers to create a more resilient and reliable energy system in Mexico.

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Arnaud - Scenius LATAM @arnaud-scenius.bsky.social · 12/02/2025

The company has raised US$8 million in equity, along with US$15 million in debt, to fund its VPP initiative and scale its decentralized energy portfolio.

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Arnaud - Scenius LATAM @arnaud-scenius.bsky.social · 12/02/2025

Initially focused on financing and facilitating solar installations for homeowners and small businesses, Niko has expanded its strategy to include battery storage solutions and larger corporate clients.

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Arnaud - Scenius LATAM @arnaud-scenius.bsky.social · 12/02/2025

🇲🇽 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.

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Arnaud - Scenius LATAM @arnaud-scenius.bsky.social · 11/02/2025

The ripple effect could mean a more competitive and innovative banking market for everyone. Now the question is: will traditional Colombian banks, with their legacy systems and different customer bases, scramble to match these rates or pivot to other value propositions?

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Arnaud - Scenius LATAM @arnaud-scenius.bsky.social · 11/02/2025

Nubank is rehashing its Mexican success story with an aggressive growth strategy that could disrupt the Colombian financial scene. Considering that only 3 out of every 100 Colombians currently have a CDT, there's a massive untapped potential in the market waiting to be seized.

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Arnaud - Scenius LATAM @arnaud-scenius.bsky.social · 11/02/2025

CDT Nu offers an effective annual rate of 11.1% for a 4-month term. It’s one of the most attractive returns in the market. For consumers looking for short-term gain, it's a no-brainer, especially with traditional banks' savings account rates dropping to 9.5% E.A.

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Arnaud - Scenius LATAM @arnaud-scenius.bsky.social · 11/02/2025

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?

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Arnaud - Scenius LATAM @arnaud-scenius.bsky.social · 07/02/2025

Operating in several Latin American countries, Cheaf has already saved more than 5.6 million kilograms of food and prevented over 14 million kilograms of greenhouse gas emissions.

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Arnaud - Scenius LATAM @arnaud-scenius.bsky.social · 07/02/2025

The app aims to tackle Argentina’s significant food waste problem by providing affordable, high-quality food that is still fit for consumption.

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Arnaud - Scenius LATAM @arnaud-scenius.bsky.social · 07/02/2025

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.

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Arnaud - Scenius LATAM @arnaud-scenius.bsky.social · 06/02/2025

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.

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Arnaud - Scenius LATAM @arnaud-scenius.bsky.social · 05/02/2025

President Claudia Sheinbaum highlighted this move during a meeting with Nestlé executives, including the CEO for the Americas, emphasizing the long-standing relationship of 94 years between Nestlé and Mexico and the significant boost it will provide to local manufacturing.

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Arnaud - Scenius LATAM @arnaud-scenius.bsky.social · 05/02/2025

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.

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Arnaud - Scenius LATAM @arnaud-scenius.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

Mega-rounds and renewed VC confidence signal an optimistic outlook for 2025 🫡

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Arnaud - Scenius LATAM @arnaud-scenius.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

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.

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Arnaud - Scenius LATAM @arnaud-scenius.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

The company aims to support Argentina's vision of becoming a global AI hub by helping to digitize government services and develop a skilled workforce. The investment also includes initiatives like the AI Week and workforce retraining programs.

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Arnaud - Scenius LATAM @arnaud-scenius.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

🇦🇷 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.

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Arnaud - Scenius LATAM @arnaud-scenius.bsky.social · 26/01/2025

Bre-B seeks to enhance economic visibility and security through innovative fraud prevention measures and user education.

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Arnaud - Scenius LATAM @arnaud-scenius.bsky.social · 26/01/2025

Designed for personal and commercial transactions, it will also support QR code payments to formalize informal commerce. While initially free for financial institutions, minimal transaction fees will be introduced after three years.

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Arnaud - Scenius LATAM @arnaud-scenius.bsky.social · 26/01/2025

Operated through financial institutions’ platforms, Bre-B will enable free, instant transfers between banks, cooperatives, and e-wallets, using unique identifiers like phone numbers or email addresses.

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