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Open Co operates as an online lending company, providing credit solutions for the Brazilian middle class and small to medium-sized businesses. It leverages advanced technology and data analytics to offer transparent and personalized credit products, simplifying access to finance in a market often characterized by complex lending structures.
The company was established in 2021 through the merger of Geru and Rebel, two prominent unsecured credit fintechs in Brazil. Co-founded by Sandro Reis, Francisco Ferreira, and Cristiano Rocha, Open Co originated from the collective insight that many Brazilians lacked access to fair and accessible credit. This unified expertise addresses systemic financial inclusion challenges.
Open Co primarily serves underserved consumers, the middle class, and SMBs. Its vision centers on enhancing financial access for Brazilians by delivering transparent and customized credit, underpinned by robust technology, comprehensive data analysis, and targeted financial education, fostering broader economic participation.
Open Co (Brazil) has raised $120.0M across 1 funding round.
Open Co (Brazil) has raised $120.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Open Co is Brazil's largest unsecured credit fintech, formed in 2023 through mergers of key players like Geru (founded 2013 for individual loans), Rebel (2017, AI-driven underwriting), BoletoFlex (2019, digital payments), and BizCapital (2016, SME loans). It operates via Geru for individuals and Biz for SMEs, delivering innovative credit solutions to enhance purchasing power nationwide.[1][2] With over R$5 billion in loans granted to 337,000+ clients, it tackles Brazil's high-interest credit issues using AI, bank data, and tools for sustainable financing, projecting 3x revenue growth to $196M in 2022 from prior years.[1][3]
Open Co emerged from a series of fintech innovations addressing Brazil's credit access gaps. Geru started in 2013 as an online lender for consumers, while Rebel launched in 2017, disrupting with AI and alternative data for risk assessment. BoletoFlex followed in 2019 to innovate digital payments, and BizCapital in 2016 targeted SME loans, growing into a market leader by 2023. These brands merged into Open Co in 2023 (with roots traced to a 2021 Geru-Rebel union), creating the biggest platform under leaders like co-founders Sandro Reiss and Rafael Pereira. Key figures include Chief Risk Officer Cristiano (ex-BizCapital data lead and angel investor) and CFO Afonso (ex-Havaianas, Porto Seguros).[1][2][3]
Early traction came from Rebel's market-stirring ideas and BizCapital's prominence, culminating in a $115M SoftBank-led round in late 2021 from backers like Raiz Investimentos, IFC, and LTS, fueling expansion.[3][5][6]
Open Co rides Brazil's fintech boom, fueled by Pix instant payments (2020) and open banking rollout (2021+), which cut info asymmetries and enable tech adopters to challenge incumbents with high spreads.[3] It solves chronic credit problems in a market where installments are norm (e.g., "buy now, pay later" via cards), using digital tech for financial inclusion amid early tech adoption and supportive regs.[1][3][4][5] By transforming unsecured lending, it influences the ecosystem as the top player, inspiring AI-driven models and sustainable consumption financing in Latin America's record VC year.[3][6]
Open Co is primed to dominate Brazil's credit fintech space, expanding AI tools and SME/individual offerings amid open banking maturity. Trends like Pix evolution and rising VC will accelerate growth, potentially scaling financing access to $616M+ annually as projected. Its merger-forged scale and risk expertise position it to reshape purchasing power, evolving from disruptor to indispensable infrastructure—reinventing trust-based credit for a more inclusive economy.[1][3]
Open Co (Brazil) has raised $120.0M across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $120.0M Series D in December 2021.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 1, 2021 | $120M Series D | — | Softbank Latin America Fund | Announced |
Open Co (Brazil) has raised $120.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Open Co (Brazil)'s investors include Softbank Latin America Fund.