"Cut The Check" with Mack Meyer | VC Mx

Join us in this insightful episode as we chat with Erin Winslow, Partner at Nazca, about her inspiring journey from Austin, Texas, to becoming a key player in Latin America's tech and venture capital scene. Erin shares her experiences working with major tech companies like Google and Salesforce, her passion for Latin American markets, and her transition into venture capital. Discover how Erin's competitive spirit and adaptability have shaped her career, and gain valuable insights into the unique challenges and opportunities in emerging markets. Whether you're interested in tech, venture capital, or Latin America, this episode offers a wealth of knowledge and inspirationSend us Fan MailCut The Check w/ Mack Meyer is a podcast about venture capital, startups, and entrepreneurship in Latin America and beyond.New episodes drop every week.Subscribe on SpotifyStay connected with us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram,Have a guest suggestion? Email us at [email protected]

Join us as we explore the entrepreneurial journey of Nicolás, the founder of Vambe, a revolutionary platform reshaping customer engagement in Latin America. Discover how Nicolás navigated the challenges of building a tech startup, his insights on the future of e-commerce, and the innovative solutions Vambe offers to businesses across Latam. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in technology, entrepreneurship, and the dynamic landscape of Latin American markets.Send us Fan MailCut The Check w/ Mack Meyer is a podcast about venture capital, startups, and entrepreneurship in Latin America and beyond.New episodes drop every week.Subscribe on SpotifyStay connected with us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram,Have a guest suggestion? Email us at [email protected]

In this episode, Bárbara shares her insights on navigating career shifts, balancing professional ambitions with family life, and the evolving landscape of entrepreneurship in Latin America. Discover how her experiences at Bitso shaped her approach to innovation and why she believes in the power of sports to connect and inspire. Tune in for an engaging conversation filled with valuable lessons and inspiring stories.Send us Fan MailCut The Check w/ Mack Meyer is a podcast about venture capital, startups, and entrepreneurship in Latin America and beyond.New episodes drop every week.Subscribe on SpotifyStay connected with us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram,Have a guest suggestion? Email us at [email protected]

In this engaging conversation, Mack Meyer interviews Ben, a seasoned entrepreneur turned investor, about his journey from starting his first business at age 12 to becoming a prominent figure in the venture capital world. Ben shares insights into his experiences with early-stage investing, the importance of choosing the right board members, and his passion for seed investing. The episode also explores Ben's perspective on the venture capital landscape in Latin America and his admiration for the drive and focus of Latin American founders.Fllow us on social media @venturecapitalmx for more updates on LatAm Venture anf Fintech.Send us Fan MailCut The Check w/ Mack Meyer is a podcast about venture capital, startups, and entrepreneurship in Latin America and beyond.New episodes drop every week.Subscribe on SpotifyStay connected with us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram,Have a guest suggestion? Email us at [email protected]

Remi, a French entrepreneur living in Mexico, shares his journey from working at L'Oreal and Coty to founding a successful D2C brand targeting the Latino community. He discusses the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of resilience and adaptability. Remi highlights the untapped potential of the Hispanic Gen Z market in the U.S. and Mexico, and his vision to create a leading Mexican brand in fashion and cosmetics. He also reflects on his personal experiences as an LGBT founder and the significance of creating a safe space for self-expression.Send us Fan MailCut The Check w/ Mack Meyer is a podcast about venture capital, startups, and entrepreneurship in Latin America and beyond.New episodes drop every week.Subscribe on SpotifyStay connected with us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram,Have a guest suggestion? Email us at [email protected]

In this conversation, Angel Cisneros shares his entrepreneurial journey, detailing his early interests in technology and sports, the inspiration behind his startup Quiubas, and the challenges he faced in building the product. He discusses the growth of the company, its acquisition by Twilio, and reflects on the lessons learned throughout his journey. Angel also emphasizes the importance of AI in Latin America and offers advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, highlighting the need for clarity in their goals and the significance of building a sustainable business.Chapters00:00 Intro00:57 Background03:00 Early Influences and Sports Background05:15 The Entrepreneurial Spark07:35 Why Technology?09:54 The Birth of Quiubas12:10 Challenges and Early Development of Quiubas15:19 The Early Days of Connectivity18:10 Navigating Market Challenges19:52 Financial Scarcity 20:59 The Rise of Mobile Penetration 24:02 The Acquisition Journey25:55 Reflections on Leadership and Growth27:20 Why Go Back For More?29:12 Sharing Knowledge and Experiences31:37 The AI Ecosystem in LATAM33:54 Challenges in AI Adoption37:39 Building a Sustainable Tech Infrastructure39:16 Navigating Startup Ecosystems44:10 The Future of Founders in Mexico49:23 OutroSend us Fan MailCut The Check w/ Mack Meyer is a podcast about venture capital, startups, and entrepreneurship in Latin America and beyond.New episodes drop every week.Subscribe on SpotifyStay connected with us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram,Have a guest suggestion? Email us at [email protected]

SummaryIn this conversation, Ivan Montoya shares his journey from Colombia to the U.S., highlighting the influence of his family and education on his career path. He discusses his experiences at Harvard, the transition to the professional world, and the lessons learned from working in startups. Ivan emphasizes the importance of qualities like humility and competitiveness in successful founders and reflects on his entry into angel investing and the unique mission of NuMundo Ventures. He also addresses the challenges faced by Latin American entrepreneurs and the impact of the pandemic on the startup ecosystem, concluding with insights on product-market fit and the significance of building authentic relationships in venture capital.Chapters00:00 Intro00:49 Ivan's Journey: Colombia to the US03:48 Education and Early Influences05:01 Swimming & Discipline 06:09 Harvard and Impact on your Career08:13 Jorge Dominguez's Class: Cuban Revolution09:05 "Reasonable People can have Different Opinions"10:07 Early Career11:03 "I have seen the good, the bad, and the ugly"11:28 Pre Product Market Fit vs. Post Product Market Fit12:49 "Everybody likes to hike, but who wants to climb Mt. Everest"14:26 Qualities that Make Great Founders16:08 Why Angel Investing?20:25 Building a Network in Silicon Valley24:59 The Pandemic & Effect on Latam ecosystem27:16 The Laws of Physics28:16 NuMundo's Ventures Inception30:24 NuMundo Ventures' Approach32:27 The Founder is important, but not everything34:07 Glimpse into NuMundo's Portfolio40:24 When Investing in Consumer Fintech 43:10  "I want to feel like I am being shared a secret"45:23 Find the Right Capital Partner47:32 "How do you get to 1m, 10m, & 100m?"48:35 Final Thoughts53:49 OutroSend us Fan MailCut The Check w/ Mack Meyer is a podcast about venture capital, startups, and entrepreneurship in Latin America and beyond.New episodes drop every week.Subscribe on SpotifyStay connected with us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram,Have a guest suggestion? Email us at [email protected]

CHAPTERS:Introduction and Early LifeMack Meyer introduces Pedro Vallenilla and discusses his upbringing and early influences.Entrepreneurial BeginningsPedro shares his journey into entrepreneurship, including his early ventures and the pressures of following in his family's footsteps.First Major SuccessDiscussion about Pedro's first successful startup in Venezuela and the challenges he faced.Failures and Lessons LearnedPedro talks about the failures of subsequent startups and the lessons he learned from those experiences.The Birth of CasheaThe story of how Cashea was founded, its impact on Venezuela, and the challenges of launching a fintech company in a difficult economic environment.Building Trust and Credit in VenezuelaPedro explains how Cashea has helped rebuild consumer credit in Venezuela and the importance of trust in their business model.Future of CasheaDiscussion on the future plans for Cashea, including expanding financial services and becoming a super app for Venezuelans.Reflections and Closing ThoughtsPedro reflects on his journey, the impact of Cashea, and his pride in the company's achievements.Send us Fan MailCut The Check w/ Mack Meyer is a podcast about venture capital, startups, and entrepreneurship in Latin America and beyond.New episodes drop every week.Subscribe on SpotifyStay connected with us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram,Have a guest suggestion? Email us at [email protected]

In this conversation, Mack Meyer and Alex González Ormerod delve into the intricate relationship between politics, journalism, and technology in Mexico. They explore Alex's journey into journalism, the establishment of the Mexico Political Economist, and the challenges and opportunities within the tech landscape in Latin America. The discussion also covers the implications of recent judicial reforms, the evolving political landscape under Claudia Sheinbaum, and the significance of the informal economy. They highlight the importance of understanding the U.S.-Mexico relationship and the future of foreign investment in Mexico.Chapters00:00Intro00:57Background03:52The Journey into Journalism and Politics04:31Early Childhood05:28The Birth of the Mexico Political Economist09:36Understanding the Nuances of Latin American Tech10:33Is Mexican politician coverage underreported?11:31Whitepaper12:28Biden Administration & Mexico's Politics15:17The Mexican Political Economist First Article16:31Why Paywall From the Start?18:06Mexico's Recent Judicial Reform21:46Could Judicial Reforms Propel Tech in Mexico?24:18The Rise of SMEs in Mexico26:29The Importance of Cornershop Acquisition in Mexico28:36The Mexicanization of US Politics29:40Mexico is a Pretend Federal Republic32:19State of Mexico's Political Parties34:05Sheinbaum's Political Strategy35:55Trade Dynamics: USMCA and Tariffs38:48The Role of Domestic Consumption in Mexico's Economy40:27Nearshoring: Mexico's Strategic Advantage41:12Mexico's Informal Economy44:23Mexico Is Irrelevant Because It Works Well Enough46:33Legacy Companies Need Competition48:08Misconceptions About Mexico Politics49:58Vision for Mexico Political Economist53:42OutroSend us Fan MailCut The Check w/ Mack Meyer is a podcast about venture capital, startups, and entrepreneurship in Latin America and beyond.New episodes drop every week.Subscribe on SpotifyStay connected with us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram,Have a guest suggestion? Email us at [email protected]

In this conversation, Raffaele and Edoardo share the journey of founding Niko Energy, transitioning from their previous venture in cloud kitchens to addressing the clean tech sector in Mexico. They discuss the challenges and opportunities in the solar energy market, the regulatory landscape, and their innovative financing solutions aimed at increasing solar adoption. The conversation also touches on the importance of targeting underserved communities, engaging corporations, and the potential role of AI in enhancing operational efficiency. They conclude with reflections on misconceptions they had before launching Niko and their future growth plans.Chapters00:00Intro01:03Backgrounds01:14Cocinas Ocultas Exit to Cloud Kitchens04:29Why is there only 3% solar adoption in Mexico?07:52Value for B2B Customers08:44Understanding Virtual Power Plants11:29Navigating Regulatory Changes11:54Sheinbaum's Emphasis on Solar14:40Financing SMEs Solar & Solar Communities16:06Enterprises & Solar Consumption17:20The Role AI in Niko's Processes18:34Final Thoughts20:13OutroSend us Fan MailCut The Check w/ Mack Meyer is a podcast about venture capital, startups, and entrepreneurship in Latin America and beyond.New episodes drop every week.Subscribe on SpotifyStay connected with us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram,Have a guest suggestion? Email us at [email protected]

SummaryIn this conversation, Mack Meyer interviews Adriana, a venture capitalist at Clocktower Ventures, discussing her journey from Ecuador to the U.S., her experiences in investment banking, and her transition into venture capital. Adriana shares insights on the importance of education, her passion for financial inclusion, and the unique opportunities in Latin America, particularly in fintech. The discussion also covers the structure and strategy of Clocktower Ventures, the nuances of investing in different regions, and the significance of building strong relationships with founders. Adriana reflects on her investment philosophy, lessons learned, and her pride in supporting innovative companies in Latin America.Chapters00:00 Intro00:47 Path From Ecuador to UPenn02:25 Early Years03:47 UPenn & Latam05:15 Why Venture?07:11 Digital Payments Team & Chase App08:25 Value of Incumbent Perspective in Fintech09:55 Clocktower Ventures: From East Coast to West Coast11:33 Clocktower Investment Group History14:32 Clocktower Ventures Inception15:58 CTV's Latam Fund16:29 CTV's Portfolio Construction18:11 "Seed is Really About Who is Making the Decisions"19:53 Complexities Investing Across Different Stages & Categories21:42 Why Not Leading Rounds Can Create More Transparency24:42 Regional Nuances: Brazil vs. Mexico25:25 Brazil's Capital Markets27:46 Brazil & Indonesia: Consumer Behavior28:16 CTV 2024 Investments in Mexico31:55 Toku & Unique Value Proposition34:19 Evolution as Venture Investor35:45 Learnings: Xepelin's Seed Extension37:39 What Qualities Make a Great Founder?39:00 Final Thoughts40:48 OutroSend us Fan MailCut The Check w/ Mack Meyer is a podcast about venture capital, startups, and entrepreneurship in Latin America and beyond.New episodes drop every week.Subscribe on SpotifyStay connected with us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram,Have a guest suggestion? Email us at [email protected]

In this conversation, Mateo Creamer shares his journey from not knowing he wanted to be a founder to establishing Cometa, an education technology company focused on increasing access to quality education in Latin America. He discusses the importance of mentorship, the impact of his experiences at Rapid SOS and Duolingo, and the challenges of building trust with school owners. Mateo emphasizes the significance of community, data sharing, and product simplicity in the education sector. He also touches on the role of WhatsApp in communication, the fundraising process, and his vision for the future of Cometa as an operating system for schools.Chapters00:00Intro02:45Career Path: From Banking to Rapid SOS05:17The Impact of Rapid SOS on Career Development08:10The Journey to Founding Cometa10:56Understanding Cometa's Mission and Product13:39Challenges in the Education Sector and Market Entry16:28Building Trust and Community in Education19:10The Importance of Data and Reporting in Education21:51Balancing Simplicity and Functionality in Product Development24:42Navigating Vertical Integration27:58Understanding School Needs32:04Monetization Models in Education Tech36:39The Impact of the Pandemic on Education37:54Leveraging WhatsApp for Communication39:27Fundraising Insights and Investor Relations41:06The Future of Financial Operations in Education42:24Proud Product Features and Success Metrics43:47Long-Term Vision for Kometa44:31Symbolism Behind the Name Kometa44:53Influential Figures in Mateo's Journey45:46OutroSend us Fan MailCut The Check w/ Mack Meyer is a podcast about venture capital, startups, and entrepreneurship in Latin America and beyond.New episodes drop every week.Subscribe on SpotifyStay connected with us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram,Have a guest suggestion? Email us at [email protected]

SummaryIn this conversation, Esteban Reyes shares his entrepreneurial journey, from his early days inspired by his grandfather's story to his experiences in building and scaling companies. He discusses the importance of understanding venture capital as a resource, the challenges of building tech-enabled services, and the investment thesis of Zenda Capital. Esteban also addresses the geopolitical challenges affecting investment opportunities in the Americas and highlights the potential in healthcare technology. He concludes with valuable advice for entrepreneurs on capital efficiency and partner selection.Chapters00:00 Intro01:02 Background01:30 Coal Miner Story06:50 Why being VC backed isn't everything09:48 Novascale & Flexiplan11:36 The Challenges when Scaling "Service Businesses"14:18 Zenda Capital's Inception16:32 Why a Solo GP & Building a Strong Team18:08 Zenda Capital's Thesis & Check Size20:19 Portfolio Construction20:54 Investing Across The America's & Thematic Investing22:25 "Usually Great Founders Beget Other Great Founders"23:50 Strength of Portco Founder Relationships25:09  AI & Long Term Value28:09  Landing Strategy: Forward Deployment  w/ AI29:27 Geopolitical Challenges31:20 Opportunities in Healthtech Across the Americas33:45 Advice for Founders Looking to Raise Capital36:02 Final Thoughts39:15 OutroSend us Fan MailCut The Check w/ Mack Meyer is a podcast about venture capital, startups, and entrepreneurship in Latin America and beyond.New episodes drop every week.Subscribe on SpotifyStay connected with us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram,Have a guest suggestion? Email us at [email protected]

In this conversation, Mack Meyer and Jaime Tabachnik discuss the inception and growth of Solvento, a company focused on solving liquidity issues in the freight industry. Jaime shares his background in the logistics sector, the challenges faced in building relationships and securing funding, and the innovative solutions Solvento is implementing to address the fragmented nature of the carrier market in Mexico. They also touch on the importance of team dynamics and the lessons learned throughout the entrepreneurial journey.Chapters00:00Intro03:46Inspiration for Solvento06:49Navigating Family Business Dynamics08:03How a Pitch Competition Launched Solvento12:45Has the Vision Changed since that Kellogg Pitch Event?13:28Solvento's First Customers15:42Challenges in Carrier Liquidity and Underwriting18:56The Role of Digitalization in Freight20:55The Freight Ecosystem24:43Future Growth and Product Development25:00Hyper Fragmentation: Freight Carriers in Mexico26:30Underwriting Through Carrier's Customer29:48Geopolitical Challenges & Domestic Freight Market32:39Solvento's Product & Growth Roadmap34:25Final Thoughts38:18OutroSend us Fan MailCut The Check w/ Mack Meyer is a podcast about venture capital, startups, and entrepreneurship in Latin America and beyond.New episodes drop every week.Subscribe on SpotifyStay connected with us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram,Have a guest suggestion? Email us at [email protected]

In this conversation, Julian Roeoes shares his journey from investment banking at Credit Suisse to venture capital at Picus Capital. He discusses the investment strategies employed by Picus, the challenges and opportunities in Latin America, and the evolving landscape of AI and fintech. Julian emphasizes the importance of decisiveness in venture capital, the traits of successful founders, and reflects on his learnings and regrets in the industry.CHAPTERS00:00Intro04:24In venture, "You want to say the right yes"08:10Picus Capital's Investment Thesis10:00Team Structure for Global Agnostic VC12:13Real Time Payments & Emerging Markets13:10Technology Leap Fogging in Emerging Markets14:53Evaluating Following On Opportunities16:45Niko Energy19:12Opportunities in LATAM20:44Generative AI & Long Term Value23:32Evaluating Enterprise vs. SME Investment Opportunities25:33Competitive Advantages for Founders in Latam28:18Key Traits of Successful Founders: Reflective Obsession29:50Lessons Learned as a Venture Investor31:25"In Person Actually Matters"37:50OutroSend us Fan MailCut The Check w/ Mack Meyer is a podcast about venture capital, startups, and entrepreneurship in Latin America and beyond.New episodes drop every week.Subscribe on SpotifyStay connected with us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram,Have a guest suggestion? Email us at [email protected]

In this conversation, Carlos shares his multicultural background and how it has influenced his career in fintech. He discusses his journey from sports to working at JP Morgan and eventually transitioning to Suyo, a company focused on empowering low-income families. Carlos highlights the importance of networking in Latin America and how it led him to discover the venture world. He elaborates on Fintech Collective's investment strategy, emphasizing the intersection of financial services and AI, and the significance of regulatory environments in fintech defensibility. The conversation also touches on portfolio construction, identifying venture-backable founders, and the importance of perseverance in entrepreneurship. Carlos shares insights on Minka, Simetrik, and Strike AI, showcasing their impact in the fintech landscape.CHAPTERS:00:00Intro03:43Early Interests and Hobbies07:10Transition from JP Morgan Trading to Latam Startup09:59Wedge to LATAM Tech Ecosystem11:23Wharton & Path to Fintech Collective13:11FTC Internship16:07Fintech Collective Thesis18:35Nuances between Mature & Emerging Markets19:23Parallels between Latam & India21:40Defensibility in Fintech23:16FTC Portfolio Construction: Less Bets & High Conviction24:41Gaining Conviction: Founding Team25:45"Building a VC backed company is one of the most masochistic exercises someone can do"27:15Navigating Chaos: The Founder’s Journey28:39The Role of the CEO in Startups30:44Identifying Non-Obvious Signals in Founders32:26The Importance of Perseverance33:07Exploring FinTech Collective's Portfolio35:02Minka: Building Payment Infrastructure in Colombia36:11Simetrik: The Power of Team Alignment39:18Strike AI: Addressing Cybersecurity Needs43:06The Importance of Humility in VC45:59Lessons from the FinTech Collective46:41Time Management & Productivity49:10Final Thoughts50:22OutroSend us Fan MailCut The Check w/ Mack Meyer is a podcast about venture capital, startups, and entrepreneurship in Latin America and beyond.New episodes drop every week.Subscribe on SpotifyStay connected with us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram,Have a guest suggestion? Email us at [email protected]

SummaryIn this conversation, Eric Schwartz shares his journey from growing up in New York City to establishing a career in the credit and debt space in Mexico. He discusses his educational background, experiences in the U.S. Embassy, and his transition to Payoneer, where he played a key role in building credit solutions for global SMBs. Eric reflects on his time at Covalto, a leading SME lending company in Mexico, and the unique challenges and opportunities in the Latin American market. He also delves into his foray into angel investing, emphasizing the importance of relationships and the evolving landscape of fintech in the region.Chapters00:00 Journey: From NYC to Mexico04:04 Academic Pursuits: Philosophy, Politics, and Economics06:50 Diplomatic Aspirations: Interning at the U.S. Embassy08:46 Disparity in Nations: Relational vs. Formal Frameworks09:49 Career Transition: From Diplomacy to Business12:54 Payoneer Experience: Building a Global Credit Business15:08 Early Days: Building Product at Payoneer17:44 Team Building: Payoneer's Credit Team 18:48 Lessons Learned: Organizational Design and Strategy22:02 Covalto: A New Opportunity in SME Lending24:57 Understanding the Mexican Banking Landscape25:38 Covalto's Product Offering & Customer Profile28:11 Cavalto's Market Position and Competitive Landscape28:37 The Journey to Mexico: Inspiration and Opportunity31:04 Embracing Angel Investing in Latin America31:39 Careers for Curiosity: VC & Consulting33:52 Building Networks: The Importance of Relationships34:15 Experience as LP with Gilgamesh Ventures35:34 Building Deal Flow & Relationships across LATAM38:12 Evolving Investment Thesis: Lessons Learned41:41 Opportunities in Emerging Markets vs. Established Markets55:05 Cut The Check Outro.mp3Send us Fan MailCut The Check w/ Mack Meyer is a podcast about venture capital, startups, and entrepreneurship in Latin America and beyond.New episodes drop every week.Subscribe on SpotifyStay connected with us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram,Have a guest suggestion? Email us at [email protected]

In this conversation, Hernan discusses the evolution of angel investing in Mexico, the growth of the startup ecosystem, and the transition from an angel network to fund management. He shares insights on investment strategies, the importance of relationships in Latin America, and the challenges of scaling businesses across different countries. Hernan also highlights current trends in fintech and the silver economy, while reflecting on the lessons learned throughout his journey in venture capital.CHAPTERS00:00 Intro: Hernan Fernandez, Managing Partner of Angel Ventures00:59 The Evolution of Angel Ventures01:44 Initial Reception and Challenges in Mexico02:46 Feedback to a Angel Syndicate in Mexico in 200904:06 Value of MIT Network in Early Days05:35 The Evolution of Mexico's Startup Ecosystem08:42 "It's a 20 Million Fund Onwards or You're Not On"09:38 Fund 1 Economics10:28 Fund 1 Takeaways12:17 Angel Ventures' Thesis13:48 Latam's TAMs & Tailwinds15:10 It's Not a One Size Fits All in Latam17:04 Why Everything Flows into Mexico 18:37 Challenges of Expanding to the US19:56 The Similarities Across The "Global South" Markets20:45 When LATAM Startups Should Expand to the US?22:07 Angel Ventures Target Ownership & Macro Challenges23:32 Ensuring The Business Model is "VC Backable"25:55 Emerging Trends in FinTech and Beyond27:07 The Silver Economy: Consumers over 50 years old27:49 Corporate Partnerships, Agtech, & Heathtech29:07 How Do You Think of Moats & The Art of VC 31:15 Building a Supportive Ecosystem32:39 What's the Role of VC?33:51 Final Thoughts38:29 OutroSend us Fan MailCut The Check w/ Mack Meyer is a podcast about venture capital, startups, and entrepreneurship in Latin America and beyond.New episodes drop every week.Subscribe on SpotifyStay connected with us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram,Have a guest suggestion? Email us at [email protected]

SummaryIn this conversation, Lara Lemann and Samuel Veloso, of Maya Capital, discuss the inception of Maya Capital, their investment thesis, the importance of courage and grit in entrepreneurship, and the challenges they faced during fundraising. The conversation also delves into the differences in startup ecosystems across Latin America, how Lara approaches fundraising as they prepare for Fund 3, why implementing culture is uniquely challenging in VC, and much more.Chapters00:00 The Inception of Maya Capital03:49 Maya's Investment Thesis 04:52 Value of "Boots on the Ground" & Gaining Conviction on an Investment06:38 Maya's Mexican Investment Initiatives07:55 Maya's Slogan: "Courage, Boldness, and True Grit"09:36 Fundraising: "It's an Opportunity to Sit on the Other Side of the Table"11:22 Balancing Investments in Brazil & Spanish-speaking Latam15:26 Female Force: Empowering Women in Venture Capital17:53 Cultural Differences in Latam's Startup Ecosystems21:00 Maya's Approach to Portfolio Support24:45 Maya's Portfolio Construction 26:13 Preparing for Fund 327:13 The Growth of Maya's Team from Inception to Today28:31 Implementing a Culture is hard in VC30:12 Emerging Opportunities in Fintech32:39 Reflections and Future Aspirations34:24 OutroSend us Fan MailCut The Check w/ Mack Meyer is a podcast about venture capital, startups, and entrepreneurship in Latin America and beyond.New episodes drop every week.Subscribe on SpotifyStay connected with us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram,Have a guest suggestion? Email us at [email protected]

Ryan Croft, few people have a background as diverse at the intersection of baseball and tech, from scouting baseball talent in the Dominican Republic to founding multiple tech companies. In 2013, Ryan co-founded TransitScreen, a mobility data platform that scaled across 40 plus cities in the United States. Now he's back in the founder seat, building Pacto, an enterprise fintech startup in Mexico with backing from Dila Capital, Femsa Ventures, 500 Global, and several other prominent investors. In our conversation, we'll explore the parallels between baseball scouting and startups, the challenges of building a company in Mexico as a foreigner, what it's like to be a second time founder, what's easier, harder, and why he wanted to build another company, and much more. Chapters00:00 Who is Ryan Croft?00:46 Early Years08:25 Parallels between MLB Scouting & Building a Startup10:44 Building TransitScreen: The Intersection of Mobility and Technology12:51 What is TransitScreen?16:26 TransitScreens' Product Evolution18:22 The TAM Wasn't Big Enough19:17 Why Launch Another Startup? Why Mexico? 20:47 Pacto: The Toast / Square for LATAM?22:02 Experience as a 1st vs. 2nd Time Founder 23:05 Nuances of Building in Mexico25:09 Evolution of Leadership Style26:07 Regulatory & Fx Challenges in Mexico 27:37 How do you Hire a Great Team?29:03 Final ThoughtsSend us Fan MailCut The Check w/ Mack Meyer is a podcast about venture capital, startups, and entrepreneurship in Latin America and beyond.New episodes drop every week.Subscribe on SpotifyStay connected with us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram,Have a guest suggestion? Email us at [email protected]

SummaryIn this conversation, Sebastian Kreis, co-founder of Xepelin, shares the journey of building a fintech company aimed at providing financial services to SMEs in Latin America. He discusses the inception of Xepelin, the challenges faced in the early days, the strategic expansion into Mexico, and the innovative products developed to meet market needs. Kreis emphasizes the importance of team dynamics and the future aspirations of Xepelin in becoming a leading B2B digital bank in the region.Chapters00:00 Sebastian Kreis, Co Founder & CEO of Xepelin01:03 Xepelin's Inception Story04:29 Early Challenges in Latam Ecosystem05:46 Early Vision: "It was not about why expand to Mexico, but when"07:11 "Instead of Mexicanize a Chilean Product, we built a Mexican product"07:38 Expansion into Mexico and Market Nuances08:04 "Amazing teams can be able to balance ambition, while also being comfortable not having all the answers"09:22 "For our customers, the most important relationships are their customers"11:48 Xepelins' Products in Mexico 13:02 "XData"- Empowering our Customers  13:28 What's ahead for Xepelin?14:16 Xepelin & AI 15:26 Final Thoughts17:43 OutroSend us Fan MailCut The Check w/ Mack Meyer is a podcast about venture capital, startups, and entrepreneurship in Latin America and beyond.New episodes drop every week.Subscribe on SpotifyStay connected with us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram,Have a guest suggestion? Email us at [email protected]

SummaryLuis Enriquez co-founded Cultura Colectiva over a decade ago, turning it into one of Mexico’s most influential digital media platforms. Now, as a Partner at Bridge Latam, a leading venture fund focused on early-stage startups, he is backing the next generation of high-growth companies in fintech, AI, agtech, and beyond. Luis brings a unique perspective as both a founder and an investor. Today, we’ll explore how he evaluates companies before product-market fit, the role of WhatsApp in AI-driven commerce, the future of media and the creator economy, the biggest challenges facing founders in Latin America today, and more.Chapters00:00 The Journey of Luis Enriquez: From Founder to Investor06:46 Initial phase: Entrepreneurs started reaching out to me  07:58 How has the startup ecosystem evolved? 09:06 Bridge Latam's Inception09:56 Bridge Latams' Thesis18:56 AI-Driven Commerce: The WhatsApp Opportunity19:45 Conversational Neobanks?21:41 AI commoditization and where is the value?23:25 Challenges for Traditional Financial Institutions24:43 The Evolution of the Creator Economy27:04 Building Brands in the Creator Economy29:30 The importance of content in a startups GTM strategy31:17 Navigating the Startup Landscape in Latin America32:24 2025 Predictions33:41 Mistakes as an Entrepreneur and Investor Send us Fan MailCut The Check w/ Mack Meyer is a podcast about venture capital, startups, and entrepreneurship in Latin America and beyond.New episodes drop every week.Subscribe on SpotifyStay connected with us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram,Have a guest suggestion? Email us at [email protected]

Today, we’re joined by Aldo Piaggio, co-founder and CEO of Polo, an end-to-end solution that helps restaurants seamlessly connect all aspects of their business, from inventory to accounting, through a single, centralized platform.After graduating from the University of Michigan, he began his career as an investment banking analyst at Goldman Sachs before launching Polo.In this episode, Aldo shares the inception story of Polo, the key differences between iterating and pivoting, why he strongly believes in product-led sales, how startups can overcome customer unwillingness to pay, and more.Chapters00:00 Introduction to PoloTab and Its Founders02:34 Why Mexico?05:05 Challenges in the Restaurant Tech Space08:24 The false notion: Our MVP wasn't enough09:11 Learnings from YC09:52 The Evolution of PoloTab's Product Offering10:19 The concept of "pivoting"12:25 The Importance of Intentions & Naiveness14:44 Launching our first POS in 2.5 Months15:34 Navigating Fear and Innovation in Product Development16:47 Simplicity as a Competitive Advantage17:47 Polos' Product Vision 18:13 Understanding Customer Profiles and Market Focus19:08 Customer Retention and Churn Management20:28 Facing Rejection and Building Resilience22:01 Market Opportunities and Future Expansion23:53 Growth Strategies and Team Dynamics23:55 Sales vs. Product Lead Teams25:17 Misconceptions in the Startup Ecosystem26:25 "If we dont achieve our dreams, its our fault we didn't execute correctly"Send us Fan MailCut The Check w/ Mack Meyer is a podcast about venture capital, startups, and entrepreneurship in Latin America and beyond.New episodes drop every week.Subscribe on SpotifyStay connected with us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram,Have a guest suggestion? Email us at [email protected]

Today, we’re joined by Álvaro Álvarez del Río, Managing Partner at Boost Capital Partners, a venture capital firm backing early-stage companies that are solving real-world problems in emerging markets with intuitive solutions.Originally from Spain, Álvaro’s career began in investment banking at Goldman Sachs and UBS before transitioning into venture capital. In 2011, he co-founded Initial Capital, a fund specializing in gaming, consumer services, and technology enablers, delivering top 1% returns on its $40 million fund. His investment track record includes early investments in Hutch Games, Nexmo, Tenor, Magmatic Games, and Supercell, acquired by Tencent in 2020. His angel portfolio includes investments in Deliveroo, Zencargo, and Peanut.In this episode, Álvaro dives into why Boost Capital is betting on Latin America, why venture capital is fundamentally a "local business," how his experience investing in consumer gaming companies has shaped his approach across other verticals, why he believes there can be a 100 billion dollar startup in Latin America, and much more.Chapters00:00 Alvaro Alvarez del Rio, Background01:53 The Entrepreneurial Spirit in Latin America02:49 How Boost Capital Partners is Structured03:48 Boost Capital's Perspective on LATAM05:06 Alvaro's Perspective on Innovation in LATAM05:51 "LATAM has a incredibly large pool of very talented People" 07:04 Two Ways to look at the "Lack of resources in the Region"08:04 Bridging the gap with International Markets08:32 Transitioning from Investment Banking to Venture Capital09:30 Early Days at Initial Capital12:29 Initial Capital Returns13:28 The Birth of Boost Capital Partners15:53 Navigating Investor Perceptions of LATAM18:37 Access and Support for Entrepreneurs in LATAM19:15 Entrepreneurial Humility and Learning20:03 Entrepreneurs in the Region: "Have more Confidence"20:29 Understanding Local Markets20:57 Valuation Dynamics in LATAM21:45 LATAM VS. EUROPE22:23 The Rise of Founders in LATAM23:34 Investment Opportunities in Mexico23:50 We are the Customer Experience Fund24:34 The Power of Gamification Mechanics26:55 The Growing Middle Class and Health Services27:18 Why are we investing in LATAM?29:20 Consumer Behavior in LATAM30:40 Lessons Learned in Venture CapitalSend us Fan MailCut The Check w/ Mack Meyer is a podcast about venture capital, startups, and entrepreneurship in Latin America and beyond.New episodes drop every week.Subscribe on SpotifyStay connected with us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram,Have a guest suggestion? Email us at [email protected]