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§ Private Profile · São Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Ume is a technology company.
UME is a design studio specializing in brand strategy and systems for companies innovating at the frontier. They transform complex, emerging technologies into compelling narratives through strategic messaging, visual identity, and go-to-market frameworks. The studio develops brand architectures, web design, and thought leadership, enabling new ventures in decentralized finance and advanced technology to launch and scale.
Jee Chang founded UME, recognizing that emerging brands in frontier innovation required a specialized approach to market entry. Chang identified a need for a partner translating intricate technical developments into accessible, competitive brand narratives. This insight positioned UME as a strategic ally for early-stage and expanding enterprises.
UME serves founders and teams developing advanced technologies, including blockchain projects like Aztec, Mina, and Sia. The studio empowers these companies to successfully navigate market introduction and expansion. UME's vision cultivates impactful brands by providing strategic and creative infrastructure for their transition to market leadership.
Ume has raised $23.2M across 2 funding rounds.
Ume has raised $23.2M in total across 2 funding rounds.
Ume has raised $23.2M in total across 2 funding rounds.
Ume's investors include Conductive Ventures, Joao Otavio Oliverio, Evli Growth Partners, iFly.vc, Han Shen.
Ume has raised $23.2M across 2 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $21.0M Series B in September 2025.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 1, 2025 | $21M Series B | Conductive Ventures | Joao Otavio Oliverio, Evli Growth Partners, IFly.vc | Announced |
| Jun 8, 2023 | $2.2M Seed | HAN Shen | — | Announced |
Ume is a Brazilian fintech company that provides consumer finance solutions, primarily a platform connecting end consumers seeking credit with retail partners for purchases of goods and services.[1] It offers credit options like installment payment plans, personal loans, and a credit limit system, focusing on making credit accessible to the entire Brazilian population without direct financing operations; services include credit approval, transaction management, and post-sale support.[1] Ume serves retail and e-commerce sectors in Brazil, solving the problem of limited credit access—especially for those without traditional banking—by enabling democratic, inclusive financing amid high interest rates on conventional credit cards.[1]
Founded in 2018 and based in São Paulo, Ume operates in the competitive Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) space, similar to rivals like Pagaleve and Addi, with growth driven by Brazil's expanding digital payments ecosystem.[1]
Ume was founded in 2018 in São Paulo, Brazil, targeting the underserved consumer credit market in a country where traditional banking excludes many.[1] Specific founders are not detailed in available sources, but the company emerged amid rising demand for accessible financing in Latin America's retail sector, where high credit card interest rates push consumers toward alternatives like BNPL.[1] Early traction likely stemmed from partnering with retailers to facilitate installment plans via boleto or Pix, bypassing credit card barriers, positioning Ume as a key player in Brazil's fintech boom.[1]
Ume rides the BNPL and fintech democratization wave in Latin America, where digital payments like Pix are exploding and e-commerce is surging post-pandemic.[1] Timing is ideal: Brazil's underbanked population (over 30% lack formal credit access) creates tailwinds, amplified by regulatory shifts favoring open finance and low-interest installments.[1] Market forces like rising retail digitization and aversion to high-interest credit cards favor Ume, enabling merchants to boost sales while consumers avoid debt traps.[1] It influences the ecosystem by expanding credit inclusion, pressuring incumbents, and fostering a network of retail partnerships that accelerate BNPL adoption across emerging markets.[1]
Ume is poised for expansion as Brazil's Pix and open banking mature, potentially scaling BNPL offerings regionally like competitor Addi.[1] Key trends—AI-driven credit scoring, embedded finance in e-commerce, and regulatory support for inclusive lending—will shape its path, with opportunities in cross-border LatAm growth.[1] Influence may evolve from a Brazil-centric player to a broader fintech enabler, deepening retail integrations and data-driven personalization to capture market share. This builds on its core mission of accessible credit, solidifying Ume's role in equitable financial tech.