All posts in English

  • January 21, 2011

    Movers and Shakers: Santiago Pinto

    Santiago PintoI just got off the phone with Santiago Pinto, an extremely sharp entrepreneur/angel investor from Argentina.  A few years ago, he got to talking with Smowtion, a global ad network with a speciality for recruiting quality niche publishers, co-founder and CEO Andrés Alterini and decided to invest US $500k in the company.  Within the last year (when I last spoke with Santiago), they’ve not only tripled the number of publishers (more than 100k) that they work with, but have also become an “Endeavor company.”

    Santiago is a veteran of the Internet business having previously co-founded and sold companies such as Gauchonet and Bumeran in Latin America. After spending any bit of time with Santiago, it’s obvious that this is a man who gets things done and surrounds himself with people just like him.

    There are thousands of reasons you could theoretically give for why an Argentinean company shouldn’t be able to penetrate such a competitive market (their biggest market segment is in the US).  Nevertheless, Santiago doesn’t seem to have much time for theories; he and his colleagues prefer action.

    I’m sure we’ll all be hearing a lot more about Santiago and any company he’s involved with and that’s why he’s a mover and shaker and someone to watch.

    2 Comments / English, Movers and Shakers /

  • January 19, 2011

    Movers and Shakers: Marco Vanossi

    Marco VanossiThanks to blogging, I’m able to meet some incredible human beings.  In some cases, such as with Marco Vanossi, founder of Sao Paulo-based mobile visual search engine, Pe2, it’s still only through digital channels, but the impression I have is outstanding. He’s got youth (20’s), intelligence (interesting IP developed by him), persistence (more on that later) and the human touch (as so many Brazilians do).  Come to think of it, I think I hate him.  Just kidding. :)

    A few months back, Marco took the time to tell me his story and I was blown away by a number of things not the least of which was his ability to stick to his guns.  Apparently, he’s had some opportunities to make some deals, which would have helped him advance with his company, but, which he felt was not in his long term interest.  It takes a lot of “cojones” to stick to your guns like that.

    Since our first conversation, I’ve seen Marco travel to Silicon Valley and become much more visible on the web.  He’s preparing to announce something exciting in the near future.  Either way, I’m sure I’ll be writing more about him in the future (as will the media in general).  This is an intelligent, talented and persistent entrepreneur who is a mover and a shaker and definitely “someone to watch!”

    On a personal note, it was great to pick my twin brother up at the airport last night for his yearly visit. We’re psyched for Thursday, which is the day we’ve chosen to spend time together.  Twin power!

    2 Comments / English, Movers and Shakers /

  • January 17, 2011

    Brazil is Hot, Hot, Hot!

    Brazil HotBrazilian startup and investment activity just continues to heat up.  It’s not enough that, at the end of last year, Tiger Management and Accel partners invested US $30M in Vostu and Insight Venture Partners invested an undisclosed amount in Mentez, two Brazilian social gaming companies.  Now, comes news that none other than premier VC firm, Benchmark Capital, just invested in Brazilian social buying company Peixe Urbano.  Conclusion: Brazil is hot, hot, hot!

    It was only six months ago that I wrote that article for VentureBeat and the NYTimes.com about the fact that US web companies are starting to look at Latin America for strategic acquisitions.  Now, VC’s are looking at countries such as Brazil, Chile and Argentina, but Brazil is, by far, the big blip on their radar screens.

    It’s all part of a global trend whereby new players are disrupting established companies in industry after industry by incorporating the ever present web (mobile and otherwise) into their unique value proposition.  These new players enter markets with more competitive business models and start to take share away from traditional companies in industries such as retail, commerce, media, financial services, entertainment and more.

    There are a number of reasons why Brazil is in the lead including the size of the country, the investments in infrastructure and the growing importance of that economy on the world stage.  Nevertheless, another reason is the Brazilians themselves (professionalism, creativity, world view, and ability to execute) and, here, other countries in Latin America can learn a thing or two (although, I think Chileans and Argentineans are keeping step nicely).

    4 Comments / Case Studies, English /

  • January 16, 2011

    Silicon Valley continues it’s Latin America Discovery

    WelcuThis Tuesday it was announced that Google CEO, Eric Schmidt’s, investment vehicle, Tomorrow Ventures, invested in a Chilean web event management company called Welcu. The company has already gartnered an impressive list of corporate clients from Coca-cola to BBDO.  The fact that Schmidt’s investment company chose a company in Latin America for it’s 22nd investment attests to the fact that this region should be on the radar screen of more and more investors.

    It’s important to note that Welcu is not simply a clone of established companies such as Eventbrite and others, but provides some innovation by more thoroughly integrating a social layer throughout its event management platform. The company has an impressive list of previous investors including Oskar Hjertonsson who recently sold his company (along with his cofounders) to Groupon.

    4 Comments / Case Studies, English /
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