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Kaszek is a prominent venture capital firm founded in 2011 by Hernan Kazah and Nicolas Szekasy, both of whom were former executives at MercadoLibre. The firm operates with a dual presence in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and São Paulo, Brazil, and has established itself as a benchmark in the Latin American startup ecosystem. Kaszek manages approximately $3 billion across nine funds and has invested in over 129 companies, including multiple unicorns and decacorns.
Since its inception, Kaszek has focused on partnering with entrepreneurs to build technology-driven companies across various industries in Latin America. The firm has achieved notable milestones, including backing some of the region's most successful startups. Its portfolio includes companies that have reached significant valuations and have made substantial impacts in their respective sectors.
Kaszek's commitment to the growth of technology companies in Latin America has positioned it as a key player in the venture capital landscape. The firm is recognized for its deep expertise and extensive network, which it leverages to support its portfolio companies in scaling their operations and achieving long-term success.
Kaszek primarily invests in early-stage technology sectors, participating in seed, Series A, and Series B rounds, as well as later-stage investments from Series C to pre-IPO financing. The firm is industry-agnostic but has a strong focus on fintech, insurtech, healthtech, edtech, e-commerce, SaaS, and marketplaces. This diverse sector engagement allows Kaszek to capitalize on various growth opportunities within the Latin American market.
The firm typically writes initial checks ranging from $1 million to $10 million for early-stage investments, while opportunity funds deploy between $10 million and $50 million per investment. Kaszek aims to build a portfolio of 20-30 companies per early-stage fund and 10-15 per opportunity fund, ensuring a concentrated approach to its investments.
Kaszek's geographic focus is primarily on Latin America, with significant investments in Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, and Chile. The firm seeks to partner with entrepreneurs who demonstrate the potential for significant disruption and value creation through innovation. Its investment philosophy emphasizes long-term relationships, providing operational support beyond capital to help portfolio companies thrive in a competitive environment.
Kaszek has built a diverse portfolio of over 129 companies, showcasing its commitment to supporting technology-driven businesses in Latin America. Notable portfolio companies include:
Hernan Kazah: Co-Founder & Managing Partner. Hernan is a former co-founder, COO, and CFO of MercadoLibre, where he played a pivotal role in its growth. He is recognized as one of Latin America's leading technology executives.
Nicolas Szekasy: Co-Founder & Managing Partner. Nicolas served as the CFO of MercadoLibre and has extensive experience in finance and investment management.
Nicolas Berman: Partner. Nicolas has a background in technology investments and has been instrumental in identifying promising startups in the region.
Mariana Donangelo: Partner. Mariana brings expertise in operational support and has a strong track record in scaling technology companies.
Santiago Fossatti: Partner. Santiago focuses on strategic investments and has a deep understanding of the Latin American market.
Angel Uribe: Partner. Angel specializes in fintech and has a background in financial services, contributing valuable insights to portfolio companies.
Andy Young: Partner. Andy has experience in venture capital and private equity, focusing on growth-stage investments.
Mariano Bomaggio: Principal. Mariano supports portfolio companies with operational strategies and market expansion.
Daniel Franco: Senior Analyst. Daniel conducts market research and analysis to identify investment opportunities.
Thaisa Miyazaki: Principal. Thaisa focuses on supporting portfolio companies in scaling their operations.
Gabriel Silvestre: Analyst. Gabriel assists in due diligence and investment analysis.
Julia Salles: Principal. Julia has expertise in technology investments and supports portfolio companies in strategic planning.
Mariana Arce: Talent Associate. Mariana focuses on talent acquisition and human resources for portfolio companies.
Carla Camargo: Talent Associate. Carla supports talent management and organizational development.
Pedro Shin: Developer. Pedro contributes to technology initiatives within the firm.
Milena Amor: Legal Associate. Milena provides legal support for investment transactions.
Victoria Arnabal: Controller. Victoria manages financial operations and reporting.
Josefina Coggan: Senior Legal Associate. Josefina oversees legal compliance and contract negotiations.
Valentina De Luca: Legal Analyst. Valentina assists with legal research and documentation.
Marcelo Diaz: COO. Marcelo oversees the firm's operations and strategic initiatives.
Francisca Gonzalez: Finance Analyst. Francisca supports financial analysis and reporting.
Guillermo Laborde: VP of Finance. Guillermo manages financial strategy and investor relations.
Valentina Reguero: Finance Analyst. Valentina assists with financial modeling and analysis.
Isabella Zuppardi: Finance Analyst. Isabella focuses on financial reporting and compliance.
To pitch Kaszek, founders should use the contact form available on their website. It is essential to include a well-structured pitch deck that outlines the business model, market opportunity, and growth strategy. Kaszek prefers pitches that are concise and focused, highlighting key metrics and milestones.
Response times can vary, but founders can generally expect to hear back within a few weeks. Warm introductions are beneficial and can increase the likelihood of a timely response. Kaszek values relationships and often prioritizes referrals from trusted sources within the startup ecosystem.
In January 2025, co-founder Hernán Kazah publicly commented that Fed interest rate cuts should pave the way for Latin American startup IPOs, indicating that Kaszek's portfolio is actively being prepared for liquidity events.
Kaszek's KV-VI and KVO-III funds, raised in 2023, are currently deploying capital, although specific investments from these funds have not been publicly detailed yet.
The firm continues to be recognized in top Latin American VC rankings for 2025, as reported by Vestbee, LatamList, and LatAm Republic, solidifying its position as a leading venture capital institution in the region.
What stages does Kaszek invest in?
Kaszek invests in seed, Series A, Series B, Series C, and pre-IPO stages, focusing on early-stage technology companies.
How can I pitch my startup to Kaszek?
Founders can submit their pitch through the contact form available on the Kaszek website. It is recommended to include a clear business model and growth strategy in the pitch deck.
What makes Kaszek different from other VC firms?
Kaszek is distinguished by its deep expertise in technology investments and its strong portfolio in the Latin American market. The firm emphasizes long-term partnerships with entrepreneurs, providing operational support beyond just capital.
What is the geographic focus of Kaszek?
Kaszek primarily focuses on Latin America, with significant investments in Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, and Chile.
What is the typical check size for investments?
Kaszek typically writes initial checks ranging from $1 million to $10 million for early-stage investments and $10 million to $50 million for later-stage opportunities.
What kind of support does Kaszek provide to portfolio companies?
Kaszek offers operational support, strategic guidance, and access to its extensive network to help portfolio companies scale and succeed in their respective markets.
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