500 Startups names Flávio Dias as its partner for Brazil

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Contxto – 500 Startups now has an additional pair of eyes and ears on the ground in Brazil with the addition of its latest partner, Flávio Dias as part of its 500 Ecosystems network. 

He previously worked for many well known retailers from Brazil such as Via Varejo and Magazine Luiza, as well as retailing giant Walmart, according to Dias’ LinkedIn page. But his work with these corporations didn’t stop him from gaining experience in startups know-how and investing. Since 2014, he’s contributed to startup funding as an angel investor.

Dias’ naming was announced last Wednesday (18). Although 500 Startups hasn’t disclosed what particular projects he’ll be taking on. However, his selection as a partner gives us a glimpse at what’s to come in Brazil.

500 Startups in Brazil

According to its website, 500 Startups has 19 startups from Brazil in its portfolio such as Conta Azul, ZoeMob, and VivaReal.

Albeit, according to a 2019 interview from EXAME with Itali Collini — the VC’s Director of Operations in Brazil—it’s actually invested in more than 40 startups in the country.

Brazilian, Bedy Yang is one of the Managing Partners at this renowned VC. However, she is part of the Global Management team. Meanwhile, Dias will play a role in developing the presence of 500 Startups and stimulate the startup ecosystem in this Latam country.

Now, given Dias’ vast background in retail and e-commerce, his eye may be more fine-tuned to help promising startups for this industry. And that’s all well and good since Brazil is the largest e-commerce market in the region. So startups for it are popping up like crazy. 

Moreover, the new partner’s experience with large companies will also come in handy. Particularly because he’ll be a key liaison between 500 Startups and corporate firms looking to innovate.

FYI, 500 Startups allies with well-known companies and uses its VC capabilities to accelerate these corporate partners in their digital development. Sometimes it’s by identifying startups with the necessary solutions, spotting trends, or just overall engagement with startups’ innovative ecosystem.

“Flávio is one of the people in the market that most understands the importance of digital transformation and knows how to bring this to the companies’ strategy,” said Yang.

“He is our first partner with this experience [and] we want to take this to Silicon Valley, into the US, to Europe and Asia.”

Related articles: Tech and startups from Brazil!

-ML