Financing roundup: Dealmaking, TD Synnex acquisition, Zuckerberg's Brazil deal and more

Dealmaking in Latin America fell 22% year-on-year by volume and 16% by aggregate value in January-August, according to the monthly M&A report on the region published by TTR Data. 

Overall, Latin America saw 1,763 transactions in the period, among venture capital and private equity deals, M&As and acquisitions, with US$45.7bn in aggregate value for those with disclosed amounts. Venture capital deals fell 35% to 433 transactions.

Of the top six markets in the region, Brazil led by both deal volume (495 deals) and aggregate value (US$25 billion). It was followed by Mexico (234 and US$11.9bn), Chile (110 and US$6.1bn), Colombia (163 and US$2.7bn), Argentina (136 and US$2.45bn) and Peru (US$109 and US$2.2bn). 

TD Synnex buys LatAm AWS expert

 US IT solutions distributor TD Synnex announced a deal to acquire the cloud migration business of Brazilian company IPsense. 

With the acquisition, the value of which was not disclosed, TD plans to create a cloud competence center in the country to provide support for partners in the process of migrating their clients' workloads to the cloud, the company said in a release.

IPSense specializes in designing and implementing AWS solutions. The transaction, subject to customary approvals, is expected to be completed in 30-90 days.

Brazil’s Beep raises funding and valuation

Brazilian healthtech Beep Saúde snapped up 100 million reais (US$18mn) in a new funding round, raising its valuation to 1.2bn reais.

The investment was led by NY-based fund Lightsmith, with participation from existing investors, such as CZI, a fund managed by Mark Zuckerberg. The new capital adds to a 150mn reais Series B round closed by Beep three years ago.

Founded in 2016, the company had revenues of 300mn reais in 2024 and growth of 60% in 2023. It provides scheduling and management of exams and vaccinations at home via an app.

Neon piles up Series E cash

In a rare late-stage move, Brazilian fintech and digital services company Neon clinched another 208mn reais as part of a Series E round, website Startups reported.

The investors were not disclosed. The information on the round, together with that of a previous Series E tranche closed in December 2023 and worth 310mn reais, is in the company’s financial report for the first half of the year.

According to Neon, the values were allotted by existing investors. In 2022, Neon received US$300mn in Series D equity investment from BBVA to become an “unicorn”, with a market value of more than US$1bn.

Energy analytics firm BIA secures loan 

Colombian real-time power consumption analytics startup Bia Energy secured a US$10mn credit line from BBVA Spark, the financing arm of BBVA.

The proceeds will be used to enhance technological infrastructure and expand business.

Founded in 2002 in Bogotá, Bia offers a digital platform that enables companies to optimize energy consumption and costs, as well as simplify power procurement and management.

The startup reportedly serves more than 2,500 customers in 134 cities across Colombia.

Tech Chile Advocates launched

Global Tech Advocates announced the launch of Tech Chile Advocates (TCA) as its 40th group and third in South America.

Global Tech claims to be an "international grassroots techcommunity, uniting the private sector in multiple cities and regions worldwide." It reports more than 30,000 tech leaders, experts and investors connecting 40 global tech hubs and regions. 

TCA is going live with 48 members. It will be co-led by Guillermo Ramirez, Alvaro Anon and Martin Picerno. Guillermo is managing partner at Oxbridge Capital Partners and president of the Cambridge Business Association, with extensive experience in venture capital. 

"The group forms against the backdrop of the Chilean government outlining a comprehensive agenda to advance technological infrastructure, develop talent, and boost digital transformation," it said in a release.

"The government has increased the digitization budget, invested in STEM education, and launched programmes like Start-Up Chile for funding, mentorship, and global networking, while also streamlining regulations to support tech growth. TCA will look to advance these initiatives and ensure that the Chilean tech ecosystem is well-positioned on the international stage."