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Key people at Ilha Capital.
Ilha Capital is a financial advisory firm specializing in mergers & acquisitions, valuation, and corporate finance services, based in São Paulo and Florianópolis, Brazil. The firm offers comprehensive investment advisory and cross-border transaction support, leveraging its multinational team's global expertise alongside profound local market knowledge crucial for successful market entry and expansion strategies in Brazil. Ilha Capital's diverse client portfolio includes foreign investors, private equity firms, and multinational corporations, for whom it provides strategic financial guidance across 11 Brazilian states. The firm has successfully advised on over 40 projects, demonstrating its robust capabilities in facilitating complex financial operations and navigating the intricacies of the Brazilian business landscape. Key personnel include Fergus Martin, who contributes significantly to the firm's mergers and acquisitions activities. The organization's founding year and specific founders are not publicly disclosed.
Key people at Ilha Capital.
Ilha Capital is a boutique advisory firm specializing in mergers & acquisitions (M&A), financial and valuation advisory, and corporate finance, primarily focused on the Brazilian market.[1] The firm emphasizes building strong relationships with customers and investors, providing nationwide coverage from Fortaleza to Santa Catarina, and leveraging an international team with over a decade of on-the-ground experience in Brazil.[1] Its mission centers on guiding foreign direct investment (FDI), private equity firms, and multinational corporations through cross-border transactions, regulatory compliance, deal execution, and operational setup.[1]
Ilha Capital's investment philosophy prioritizes multilingual, multinational expertise combined with deep local knowledge in São Paulo and Florianópolis, offering end-to-end support for market entry and expansion.[1] Key sectors include M&A advisory, capital raising, and cross-border deals in Latin America, with a track record of over 40 projects across 11 Brazilian states.[1] While not a traditional venture capital firm investing in startups, it plays a supportive role in the startup and broader business ecosystem by facilitating acquisitions, fundraising, and strategic partnerships for emerging and scaling companies entering or expanding in Brazil.[1][3][4]
Ilha Capital was founded by Michael Fraser and Fergus Martin, both with over 15 years of experience in financial markets, M&A advisory, and cross-border transactions in the US, Latin America, and beyond.[1] Michael Fraser, holding a B.A. from Brown University, specializes in deal origination, structuring, operations, and advising Brazilian and international clients on transactions.[1][4] Fergus Martin, with an M.Eng from University College London (UCL), excels in company valuations, complex transaction structuring, and bridging Brazilian firms with global investors.[1][3]
The firm's evolution reflects a focus on Brazil's dynamic market, establishing permanent presences in São Paulo and Florianópolis to provide hands-on support.[1] Founding details like the exact year are not specified, but leadership profiles indicate active operations since at least 2015, with services expanding to a diversified portfolio in capital raising and M&A.[1][3] This backstory underscores a pivot from individual advisory roles to a structured firm aiding foreign investors navigating Brazil's regulatory and operational complexities.[1][4]
These elements distinguish Ilha Capital from generalist advisors by combining international deal-making savvy with Brazil-specific execution.[1][3][4]
Ilha Capital operates at the intersection of Brazil's growing tech and startup ecosystem and global investment flows, riding the trend of increasing foreign direct investment into Latin America's largest economy amid digital transformation and post-pandemic recovery.[1] Timing is favorable due to Brazil's regulatory reforms easing FDI, booming sectors like fintech, agtech, and e-commerce, and demand for cross-border M&A as US/European firms seek Latin American footholds.[1][4] Market forces such as private equity expansion and multinational diversification work in its favor, positioning the firm to influence ecosystem growth by enabling startups' acquisitions, funding rounds, and scaling via international partnerships.[1][3]
By facilitating over 40 deals, Ilha Capital indirectly bolsters the startup landscape, helping tech firms attract global capital and navigate local hurdles, though its core focus remains broader corporate finance rather than pure VC.[1]
Ilha Capital is poised for expansion as Brazil's M&A market heats up, potentially doubling its project volume with rising FDI in tech-driven sectors like AI, sustainability, and logistics.[1] Trends such as US-China decoupling and LatAm's nearshoring appeal will amplify demand for its cross-border expertise, while economic stabilization could unlock more private equity flows.[1][4] Its influence may evolve toward deeper tech ecosystem involvement, perhaps through specialized funds or startup acquisition advisory, solidifying its role as a gateway for global players into Brazil's high-growth opportunities—echoing its foundational commitment to lasting relationships and nationwide impact.[1]
