a55 is a technology company.
We design payment orchestration that keeps conversion improving. Since 2017 we’ve focused on direct Visa/Mastercard connectivity, local acquiring/settlement, and developer-first tooling.
a55 has raised $22.3M across 3 funding rounds.
Key people at a55.
a55 has raised $22.3M in total across 3 funding rounds.
a55 has raised $22.3M in total across 3 funding rounds.
a55's investors include Lakestar, Mouro Capital, Chris Murphy, Christian Faes, Christopher Priebe, Gerald Parloiu, Expanding Capital, SaaSholic Fund, Chris Guzowski, Kelly Ford.
a55 is a Brazilian fintech company founded in 2017, specializing in payment orchestration and financial services for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), particularly tech companies, across Latin America.[1][2][3] It offers a unified platform that integrates payments acceptance (including direct Visa/Mastercard, Pix, and 40+ markets), revenue protection via ML-based fraud detection, financial control with real-time cash flow insights, smart cash management, and scalable infrastructure for global expansion.[2] Targeting SMEs in high-growth digital sectors, a55 solves fragmented financial operations by providing smart capital solutions, credit based on transactional data, and tools to optimize liquidity and reduce costs, with over $58.3M raised and acquisition by AstroPay in 2023 signaling strong momentum.[1]
The platform serves tech firms and digital businesses needing efficient payments, fraud prevention, and working capital without traditional credit barriers, enabling 600% projected growth in 2021 and expansion into Mexico.[3] Post-acquisition, a55 emphasizes enterprise solutions and open finance infrastructure for white-label embedding, processing millions of transactions reliably.[2]
a55 emerged in 2017 in São Paulo, Brazil, amid Latin America's booming digital economy, where SMEs faced credit access hurdles due to outdated models.[1][3] CEO Hugo Mathecowitsch, a tech and entrepreneurship enthusiast focused on growing digital SME sales through revenue-based capital, co-leads with figures like Eduardo Salvatore, Head of DeFi and blockchain advocate aiming to cut intermediaries via DeFi and digital assets.[4] The idea stemmed from leveraging "data as the new gold"—connecting bank accounts, billing, custody, payments, and credit intelligence to fuel data-driven financing for online businesses.[3]
Early traction built on this vision: a55 raised funds from investors like PaySecure, Mouro Capital, Movile, E3 Negócios, and Accial Capital, culminating in a $35M round in 2021 for LatAm credit operations.[1][3][4] Pivotal moments included projecting R$1B in Brazilian credit and $100M in Mexico by 2022, employing 80+ staff across São Paulo, Florianópolis, and Mexico, before AstroPay's 2023 corporate minority acquisition.[1][3] This evolution shifted from core credit fintech to a full payments and DeFi platform.[5]
a55 stands out in LatAm fintech through integrated, data-centric tools tailored for digital SMEs:
a55 rides the LatAm fintech explosion, fueled by digital adoption, open banking (e.g., Pix), and SME digitization post-pandemic, where fragmented payments and credit gaps hinder growth.[3] Timing aligns with rising e-commerce and tech services in Brazil/Mexico, where data-driven models address $100B+ underserved SME financing needs.[1][3] Market forces like regulatory open finance and investor interest (e.g., $58M raised) favor its expansion, positioning a55 as a key enabler for tech ecosystems by powering revenue monitoring, fraud protection, and cross-border scaling.[2][4]
It influences the landscape by democratizing financial infrastructure—shifting from legacy banks to API-first platforms—accelerating SME online growth and inspiring DeFi adoption in emerging markets.[5] As an AstroPay acquiree, a55 amplifies consolidated fintech plays, bridging traditional payments with blockchain for broader ecosystem resilience.[1]
a55 is primed to dominate LatAm SME fintech as payment orchestration and data credit converge with DeFi trends. Next steps likely include deeper Mexico penetration, enhanced ML for fraud/cash optimization, and white-label expansions via AstroPay's network, targeting billions in processed volume.[1][2] Rising open finance regulations and AI-driven finance will shape its path, potentially evolving into a full-stack "financial OS" for digital economies.
Tying back: From São Paulo's 2017 spark, a55's data-fueled platform continues transforming SME barriers into scalable growth engines.[3]
Key people at a55.
a55 has raised $22.3M across 3 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $17.0M Series B in January 2022.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1, 2022 | $17.0M Series B | Lakestar, Mouro Capital, Chris Murphy, Christian Faes, Christopher Priebe, Gerald Parloiu | |
| May 1, 2020 | $5.0M Series A | Lakestar, Mouro Capital, Chris Murphy, Christian Faes, Christopher Priebe, Gerald Parloiu | |
| Jun 1, 2018 | $300K Seed | Expanding Capital, SaaSholic Fund, Chris Guzowski, Kelly Ford |
