500 Global announced that Regina Zurutuza and Damaris Mendoza will be promoted as partners in its LatAm operation, joining Didier Quiroz, René Lomelí, and Santiago Zavala. With the addition of the new partners, the firm expects to invest in more companies in the coming year.
The early-stage VC fund said that among the main goals of the new partners are to boost the relationship with investors through new strategies and to professionalize the investment team to continue attracting successful companies and investors with vision.
The new partners had already been with the firm for some time. Regina Zurutuza joined the team in 2019, analyzing investment opportunities. She had previously had experience in global companies such as Bright and Acciona.
“She has implemented pillar improvements that allow the fund to scale the number of investments per year and reduce times in its evaluation process to companies,” the 500 Global statement on Zurutuza says.
Regina Zurutuza, managing partner en 500 Global (Foto: 500 Global)
Zurutuza told Contxto that her role will be focused on fund management and investments. She added that she will be defining the pace of the investments being made, making sure everything is running smoothly, while the rest of the team focuses more on raising capital for the next fund.
Damaris Mendoza has been in charge of investor relations at 500 Global for more than four years. Before this, she gained experience in companies such as Boletia and Milenio and is an ambassador at WeInvest Latam and Global Women in VC.
“In her path within the firm, she has reinforced the image and positioning of 500 Global before investors worldwide. In addition, she has provided support in capital raising processes, investor relations, and new strategies for fundraising,” says the fund about Mendoza.
Damaris Mendoza, managing partner at 500 Global (Photo: 500 Global)
Damaris told Contxto that she will continue leading the investor relations process and most of the fundraising processes in her role. She mentioned they have around 160 investors and assured that the relationship and processes of new investment vehicles will take them to the “next level.”
Damaris Mendoza, managing partner en 500 Global (Foto: 500 Global)
What’s next for 500 Global
In the short term and to close 2022, 500 Global will invest in 10 new early-stage startups as part of its acceleration and investment program “Somos Lucha.” This is the third call of the year, for which the VC fund adjusted the investment ticket from US$60,000 to US$80,000 for each startup.
Zurutuza commented that by 2023 they will be redoubling their efforts to invest more capital in early-stage Latin American companies, which involves a great deal of work in raising capital, communicating with the ecosystem with content generation strategies, and continuing to relate closely with the startups.
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