Startups to Watch & Tech Talents
#67 - Core AI, Mani, ex-PM at Loft building something new, ex-Tribe Leader at WORC in stealth, and much more...
Happy Wednesday!
As a reminder, this series is dedicated to startups and founders from LatAm that have just entered or exited stealth mode.
It is written in partnership with Pedro Mesquita from Tech Talents and aims to use data-driven tools to foster the local tech ecosystem by helping founders connect with the right people who can contribute to their success.
In case you do not know, “stealth mode” founders are individuals who are building a new business but choose not to disclose details about their projects, often for competitive reasons. This term has been used for years in the US Venture Capital ecosystem but has only recently become more common in Latin America.
Expect to receive Startups To Watch & Tech Talents every other Wednesday, separately from my traditional weekly newsletter.
This week, we’re featuring two fintech companies as well as four other stealth founders with noteworthy profiles. We also have a founder opportunity in this edition — read further to learn more!
Note that there is no bias in the companies and founders featured – apart from the fact that we like their stories and backgrounds. I am not an investor, nor do I get any financial compensation to promote startups and founders featured. This is intended for informational purposes only, using my solid base of subscribers to share intel about good people doing cool things, thus fostering the ecosystem.
Also note that this is just a small section of what is featured in Pedro Mesquita’s Tech Talents newsletter. If you want to receive the complete version, as soon as he releases it, be sure to subscribe to his newsletter!
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Opinions expressed here are solely my own and do not represent those of people, institutions, or organizations that I may or may not be associated with in any capacity unless explicitly stated.
🎊 Startup Launches
Founders who have just publicly announced what they are working on.
Core AI
Overview
Startup Description: CoreAI turns industry ecosystems into scalable credit platforms, empowering every SaaS to offer seamless, AI-driven credit products.
Industry: Fintech, AI
Team Size: 5
Time in Stealth: 1 year and 1 month
Carolina da Costa Carvalho - Co-Founder at Core AI
Previously featured as a Stealth Founder in Tech Talents #24.
Founder Highlights: Masters, Ex-Corporate, Ex-Investor, Top University
Previous Experience: Ex-Credit, Risk & Structuring at Credix, ex-Investment Professional at Noon Capital Partners, ex-Investment Professional at CPP Investments, ex-Investment Professional at Mubadala, Master of Business Administration from Columbia Business School, BA in Economics from Insper.
Headquarters: São Paulo, Brazil
Co-Founders: Fernando Martins Mato and Enrico Francesco D.
Ask for an Intro: Click here
Mani
Overview
Startup Description: The future of wealth management with the confidence and financial peace of mind that every person deserves.
Industry: Fintech
Team Size: 7
Time in Stealth: 1 year and 1 month
Bernardo Faria - Founder at Mani
Previously featured as a Stealth Founder in Tech Talents #14.
Founder Highlights: Serial Founder, Investor, Marketing Tech, Masters, Scaleup Experience
Previous Experience: Ex-Founder at new3plus.com, ex-Chief Strategy Officer at DigitalReef, ex-Co-Founder at Foxbit, ex-COO at Acesso Soluções de Pagamento, ex-CEO at CDI Lan S/A, ex-Executive Manager at Banco Santander, ex-Gerente Comercial at Icatu Hartford Seguros, ex-Auditor Pleno at Price Waterhouse.
Headquarters: São Paulo, Brazil
Co-Founders: Andre Bain and Nadav Peretz
Ask for an Intro: Click here
🎯 Founder Opportunity Alert
We wanted to share an exciting opportunity for an entrepreneur, software company, or venture studio interested in leading an innovative project at the intersection of technology and entertainment. They have an MVP already functioning and deep market insights from addressing a problem they personally experienced.
They’re looking for:
A driven entrepreneur interested in building and scaling ventures collaboratively.
Someone enthusiastic about the entertainment industry.
Flexibility to operate between Los Angeles, Silicon Valley, and/or São Paulo.
Interested or know someone who fits the profile? Fill this form with your email, name, and any other relevant information.
🤫 Talents Entering Stealth
Talents with relevant experiences who have just entered stealth mode.
Cristiane de Oliveira – Co-Founder at Stealth Startup
Founder Highlights: Serial Founder, Previous Exit, Ex-Corporate, Scaleup Experience
Previous Experience: Ex-Co-Founder & CEO at Hrestart, ex-Partner at WORC, ex-Gestora de Recursos Humanos at Ipiranga, MBA from FGV, Bachelor's in Business Administration from Universidade Veiga de Almeida.
Headquarters: São Paulo, Brazil
Time in Current Position: 1 month
Co-Founder: Gustavo Salgado
Ask for an Intro: Click here
Beatriz Gloria – Building Something New at Stealth Startup
Founder Highlights: Masters, Unicorn Experience, Scaleup Experience, Ex-Corporate
Previous Experience: Ex-Head of Customer Experience at Franq Open Banking, ex-Founding Team at aMORA, ex-Product Manager at Loft, ex-New Projects Manager at Hostinger International, ex-Marketing Coordinator to Heinz Brand at The Kraft Heinz Company. Masters in Business Administration from Link School, Bachelor's in Design from Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina.
Headquarters: São Paulo, Brazil
Time in Current Position: 1 month
Ask for an Intro: Click here
Stephanie M. – Founder at Stealth Startup
Founder Highlights: Ex-Consultant, Masters, Ex-Corporate
Previous Experience: Ex-Management Consultant at McKinsey & Company, ex-Core Product - Marketing at ZX Ventures. Master of Business Administration from MIT Sloan School of Management, Bachelor's in Industrial Engineering from Universidade Estadual de Campinas.
Headquarters: Brazil
Time in Current Position: 1 month
Ask for an Intro: Click here
Paulo Guilherme Gil – CTO & Co-Founder at Stealth Startup
Founder Highlights: Serial Founder, Technical Founder, Masters, Ex-Corporate
Previous Experience: Ex-CTO & Co-Founder at Palppi, ex-Chief Technology Officer at Habitissimo Brasil, ex-CTO & Co-Founder at Triider, ex-Senior Solution Architect at Sicredi, Master's in Computer Science from PUC Rio Grande do Sul, Bachelor's in Computer Science from Centro Universitário La Salle.
Headquarters: San Francisco, US
Time in Current Position: 2 months
Ask for an Intro: Click here