Fintech innovation in Latin America is attracting fresh venture capital attention, and Miami’s Kiara Capital is stepping up with its inaugural fund.
After proving their investment strategy with their own money, the founders have now officially opened a fundraising campaign to bring outside investors on board.
Setting Ambitious Goals With an Early Close in Sight
Kiara Capital is targeting $30 million in external funding for its first fund, with the possibility of stretching that to $40 million.
The fund’s initial closing already attracted strong interest from a diverse group—founders, bank CEOs, venture partners, and family offices—all excited about fintech and financial innovation.
Importantly, the founding partners still hold the largest stakes, showing their confidence in the mission.
Early-Stage B2B Fintech Focus with a Cross-Border Edge
The fund zeros in on early-stage fintech startups operating primarily in Latin America but also in cross-border markets connected to the U.S.
Kiara Capital aims to back 15 to 20 promising startups, starting with investments around $500,000 and keeping plenty of capital reserved for follow-up funding rounds.
Founders Bring Deep Industry Expertise and Solid Track Records
Founded in 2023 by Michael Esrubilsky and Daniel Arippol, Kiara Capital leans on decades of combined experience.
Esrubilsky has spent over 25 years in fintech and boasts four major fintech exits in Brazil worth nearly $1 billion.
His track record as an angel and seed investor is impressive, with a 9.8x return on invested capital and a 45%+ internal rate of return in US dollars.
Arippol complements the team with more than 15 years in private equity and venture capital across emerging markets.
He’s also advised numerous fast-growing tech and financial services firms in both Latin America and the U.S., making the duo a powerful pairing for spotting fintech winners.
Early Wins Already in the Portfolio
Since starting up, Kiara Capital has made five investments, including Astride, a U.S.-based fintech that helps foreign investors with accounting solutions, and Payana, an AI-powered platform boosting financial operations for small and medium businesses in Mexico and Colombia.
Their portfolio covers startups across Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, and the U.S., with about $2 million already deployed.
It’s a clear sign the fund is hitting the ground running.
A Growing Force in Fintech Investment
With Kiara Capital’s first fund now officially open to outside investors, the firm is positioning itself as a key player in early-stage fintech for Latin America and cross-border markets.
Backed by experienced founders and a growing portfolio, the next few years could see some exciting innovations coming from their investments.