Luckily, I continue to receive a good amount of interesting early stage companies to share here. So, as mentioned last week, even though I said “every other Wednesday” on the first edition, I will send another one today (and every week I feel there is a startup worth sharing with you) but the rule is on a bi-weekly basis here, and a weekly basis for the usual LatAm Tech Weekly 😊 I personally really liked this idea - for those who do not know me well, I hate going to shopping malls or brick and mortar stores, I buy literally everything online. If you are like me, read carefully!
This series will be dedicated to very early stage startups that are under the radar – and have a good story to tell. The basic criteria is a company that is not on the media/spotlight and is NOT actively raising proceeds. There is also no bias – apart from the fact that I like the story. I am not an investor or get any financial compensation to promote startups featured. This is intended for informational purposes only, using my solid base of subscribers to share intel of good people doing cool things. If you read this, and want to get to know the founder - feel free to respond and I will happily connect you!
Vinklo is the first and only digital experience for buying and receiving gifts in Brazil.
Business Overview: Vinklo is a marketplace that makes people buy gifts as easily as sending a message. It allows gift-givers to pick a product even if they don’t have details like sizes, colors, and, most importantly, the delivery addresses. The only information needed is the receiver's WhatsApp number. This process guarantees the gift will always be perfect because the receiver can exchange it for anything else, if needed, before getting it at home. Vinklo leverages the millions of users from the parties platform FestaLab (owned by the same founders) to sell gifts to guests RSVPing to parties being constantly organized there.
What problem is it solving? Gift-giving is one of the foundations in society; it fosters stronger bonds and better relationships. This is why buying a gift can be so anxiety-inducing. There is a “social risk” involved. A well-received gift can improve the quality of the relationship between the giver and the recipient by increasing feelings of connection, bonding, and commitment. A poorly received gift can do the opposite. When buying something for yourself, you have all the required information. When buying something for others, you don't. This gap generates anxiety. Vinklo closes this information gap and improves the user experience for both parties. Moreover, everything online and with no necessity of going to brick-and-mortar stores.
Product:
Gift-givers
Selects a gift from a curated portfolio powered by data algorithms
Inserts only the recipient’s WhatsApp number and no other detail
Writes a card with a message or records a video message, adding a personalized, human touch
Receiver
Gets a WhatsApp message with a link
Clicks on the link and goes through a personalized and humanized unboxing experience before viewing the gift
Once the gift is revealed, he/she chooses between two options:
Confirming sizes or other details, and inserting the delivery address
Exchanging it for another product within the portfolio, across multiple stores, not only from the store his initial gift was from
Key metrics:
Month-over-month growth: ~40% over the last 7 months
+1MM users per month
Cash flow positive
CAC = 0
Team:
Erik Santana (CEO): Former Bain & Company Senior Consultant
Breno Gazzola (CTO): Rails contributor team, directly working with DHH
João Michelazzo (CPO): Former Bain & Company Senior Manager, Insead MBA
Investors:
Atlântico, Canary, Big Bets, The Venture City, Norte
Total raised: USD 2,4M