After years of hands-on experience and early wins, Kiara Capital is officially stepping into the spotlight.
This Miami-based venture capital firm, which had quietly been testing its fintech investment thesis using only its own partners’ money, has now launched its very first external fundraising campaign.
And it’s not just a small test run—they’re aiming for $30 million, with room to stretch that target to $40 million.
Backing from the Who’s Who in Fintech
Kiara isn’t just raising money from anyone.
Their investor lineup features a curated group of industry insiders—fintech founders, seasoned bank CEOs, veteran VC partners, and family offices—all with a strong interest in financial innovation.
Despite opening the fund to external investors, the founding partners are still the biggest backers, signaling their confidence in the long-term strategy.
A Clear Focus on Early-Stage B2B Fintech in Latin America
At the heart of Kiara Capital’s strategy is a razor-sharp focus: early-stage B2B fintech startups in Latin America, and those connected to cross-border activity with the U.S.
They plan to build a concentrated portfolio of 15 to 20 startups.
Initial investments start at $500,000, with enough capital set aside to keep supporting the most promising companies in future funding rounds.
Young Firm, Experienced Founders
Kiara Capital was founded in 2023 by Michael Esrubilsky and Daniel Arippol—two names with deep roots in the fintech and venture capital world.
Despite being a young firm, they’ve already made five investments.
Some notable ones include Astride, a U.S.-based platform helping foreign investors manage accounting, and Payana, an AI-driven financial operations tool for SMBs in Mexico and Colombia.
Building a Portfolio Across Borders
With around $2 million already deployed, Kiara’s current portfolio spans several high-potential regions: Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, and the U.S.
This cross-border emphasis aligns with their belief that financial innovation often lives at the intersection of emerging markets and global infrastructure.
Meet the Founders Behind the Strategy
Michael Esrubilsky brings more than 25 years of fintech leadership, including four successful exits in Brazil worth nearly $1 billion.
As an angel and seed-stage investor, he’s recorded 14 investments with an impressive 9.8x return on capital and over 45% IRR in U.S. dollars.
His co-founder, Daniel Arippol, adds complementary strengths.
With 15+ years in private equity, VC, and tech innovation across emerging markets, he has advised multiple fast-scaling fintech and tech companies in Latin America and the U.S., providing a strategic edge to Kiara’s approach.
What Comes Next for Kiara Capital?
As Kiara Capital ramps up its external fundraising and eyes more investments, all signs point to an ambitious roadmap ahead.
With deep regional insight, founder-led capital, and a proven early portfolio, the firm seems poised to become a serious player in the Latin American fintech venture space.