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§ Venture Capital · Sao Paulo, Brazil
HiPartners Capital&Work operates as a venture capital firm dedicated to the retail technology sector in Brazil. The company primarily provides investment capital to startups within this niche, distinguishing itself by also offering substantial operational support and strategic guidance, encapsulated in its "Capital & Work" philosophy. This hands-on approach aims to empower entrepreneurs, fostering innovation and tangible results for the evolving Brazilian retail landscape.
The firm was founded in 2013 by Walter Sabini Junior, who serves as its Founder and CEO. His insight led to establishing HiPartners as Brazil's first venture capital specifically focused on retail tech. This specialization arose from a recognized need to channel investment and expertise into a burgeoning market segment, leveraging Sabini Junior's background as a founder, investor, and advisor in retail businesses.
HiPartners targets entrepreneurs and emerging companies developing solutions for the retail industry in Brazil. Its vision centers on enabling these founders to fulfill their objectives by supplying not only financial backing but also strategic partnership and mentorship. The firm is committed to driving forward the modernization and efficiency of Brazilian retail through targeted investments and active engagement.
Key people at HiPartners Capital&Work.
Key people at HiPartners Capital&Work.
HiPartners Capital&Work has 2 tracked investments across 2 companies. The latest tracked deal is $7.0M Series U in Gabriel in January 2024.
| Date | Company | Round | Lead Investor(s) | Co-Investor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1, 2024 | Gabriel | $7.0M Series U | Astella, Qualcomm Ventures | Scale UP Ventures, Canary Ventures, Endeavor, Globo Ventures, LTS, Norte Ventures, Softbank |
| May 1, 2022 | Bornlogic | $11.0M Series A | — | Astella, Scale UP Ventures |
# HiPartners Capital & Work
HiPartners Capital & Work is a venture capital and private equity firm headquartered in São Paulo, Brazil, that invests across early-stage, mid-stage, and growth-stage companies in the technology and internet sectors.[1][5] Founded in 2013, the firm has carved out a distinctive niche by focusing on innovative companies within Brazil's retail and B2C markets, while also providing comprehensive operational support beyond capital deployment.[1]
The firm's investment philosophy centers on identifying high-growth potential companies in technology and internet verticals, with particular emphasis on new retail innovations.[2] What distinguishes HiPartners from traditional venture investors is its integrated support model—beyond writing checks, the firm offers back-office services including marketing, financial, accounting, and legal assistance to portfolio companies.[1] This hands-on approach reflects a belief that early and mid-stage companies need more than capital; they need operational infrastructure to scale effectively. The firm also invests in venture capital funds of funds, diversifying its exposure across the broader startup ecosystem.[1]
HiPartners Capital & Work was established in 2013, positioning it as a relatively mature player in Brazil's venture capital landscape during a period when institutional venture funding in Latin America was still developing.[1][5] The firm's founding reflected a strategic recognition that Brazil's technology sector—particularly in retail and B2C commerce—represented significant untapped opportunity. By anchoring itself in São Paulo, the country's financial and tech hub, HiPartners positioned itself at the epicenter of Brazilian entrepreneurship.
The firm's evolution has been marked by a deliberate focus on sectors where Brazil has natural advantages: retail innovation, consumer-facing technology, and internet-enabled services. This geographic and sectoral specialization has allowed HiPartners to develop deep domain expertise and network effects within its chosen markets, rather than pursuing a generalist approach.
Unlike traditional venture firms that primarily provide capital and board seats, HiPartners operates a full-service support infrastructure. Portfolio companies gain access to in-house expertise across marketing, financial management, accounting, and legal services.[1] This reduces the friction of scaling and allows founders to focus on product and growth rather than building administrative functions from scratch.
The firm's concentrated focus on technology, internet, and retail sectors—particularly B2C and new retail verticals—creates deep pattern recognition and network effects.[1][2] This specialization enables better deal sourcing, more informed investment decisions, and more relevant operational guidance than generalist firms might provide.
Beyond direct investments, HiPartners deploys capital into other venture funds, creating a diversified exposure strategy that reduces concentration risk while maintaining upside participation in the broader ecosystem.[1]
Operating with approximately 10 employees, HiPartners maintains an efficient structure that allows for quick decision-making and personalized engagement with portfolio companies.[3]
HiPartners operates at a critical inflection point in Latin America's venture capital maturation. As Brazil's economy has increasingly digitized, the demand for venture capital has grown, yet institutional funding remains concentrated in a handful of major players. HiPartners fills an important middle-market role—too specialized for mega-funds, yet more institutional than angel networks.
The firm's emphasis on retail and B2C innovation reflects a broader trend: traditional retail in Brazil is undergoing digital transformation, and companies that can bridge physical and digital commerce are capturing significant value. HiPartners' positioning allows it to benefit from this secular shift while also helping portfolio companies navigate the unique complexities of the Brazilian market—regulatory environment, payment infrastructure, logistics challenges, and consumer behavior.
By providing operational support alongside capital, HiPartners also influences how venture capital is deployed in Brazil. The firm models an alternative to the hands-off capital provider approach, suggesting that in emerging markets, venture firms that actively support portfolio company operations may generate better returns and stronger ecosystem effects.
HiPartners Capital & Work represents a pragmatic, locally-rooted approach to venture investing in an emerging market. Rather than chasing global mega-trends, the firm has built a sustainable model around deep expertise in Brazilian technology and retail innovation.
Looking forward, several forces will shape the firm's trajectory. First, continued digitalization of Brazilian commerce will expand the addressable market for HiPartners' portfolio companies. Second, as Brazil's venture ecosystem matures, the firm's operational support model may become increasingly valuable—founders will demand more than capital, and firms that provide integrated support will differentiate themselves. Third, potential expansion beyond Brazil into other Latin American markets could unlock new growth, though this would require careful consideration of how the firm's specialized model translates across borders.
The firm's future influence will likely depend on its ability to generate strong returns from its portfolio, which would validate its integrated support model and potentially attract larger capital commitments. In a region where venture capital is still establishing legitimacy, HiPartners' track record will be its most powerful asset for attracting both entrepreneurs and limited partners.
