VEF’s Post

A must listen for all VEF followers, as Sergio Furio, CEO and founder of Creditas, gets into it with Olga Maslikhova on LATAMs leading tech pod The J Curve. We have been privileged to have a front row seat in the Creditas journey since 2017, and within this conversation one can feel how hard it is to build a truly successful scale business, through market and macro volatility, covid and everything in between. Creditas is up there with VEF hall of fame investments Tinkoff , iyzico, Konfío and JUSPAY and is very much still compounding value for all our shareholders. Listen Enjoy Invest Barbaros Ozbugutu, Oliver Hughes, David Arana, Vimal Kumar, Sheetal Lalwani

We’ve got an amazing story lined up for you today on The J Curve! 🎯 In this episode, I sat down with Sergio Furio, chairman of Endeavor Brasil and the visionary founder and CEO of Creditas, to unpack his incredible journey from BCG consultant in New York to one of Brazil’s leading fintech pioneers. We dive deep into everything from why Brazil was the ideal market for Creditas to the pros and cons of being a solo founder, how to structure a cap table for the long game, and what makes Endeavor such an extraordinary network for entrepreneurs. Creditas, now valued at $4.8 billion, is backed an impressive lineup of investors like Fidelity Investments, VEF, SoftBank Investment Advisers, Advent International, Lightrock, QED Investors, KASZEK, and Redpoint eventures. This high-growth private company operates with the rare transparency of a publicly traded firm, so this conversation was a real pleasure packed with insights. Here’s what we discuss 👇🏻: 🎯 The Market Matters: How choosing the right market can make or break your startup—and why Brazil’s credit landscape was ripe for disruption. 📈 Profitability Roadmap: Why Creditas’ path to profitability focused on smart margins and resource management, not just cost-cutting. 🤝 Smart Capital, Stronger Foundations: The long-term benefits of choosing investors who align with your mission and add strategic value. 👥 From 6 to 2000: The Creditas team-building playbook—Sergio hires for grit, vision, and resilience, not just résumés. 💡 Breaking the Mold: How Sergio’s fresh perspective as an outsider helped him spot opportunities that others missed. PS: Dave Nangle and Manoel Lemos - Sergio spoke so highly about you in our conversation! PPS: Adrian Garcia-Aranyos - thank you so much for introducing me to Sergio and for some excellent question suggestions. They made all the difference 👏🏻 Founders, if you’re aiming to build a resilient, scalable business that solves real problems, don’t miss this one. 🎧 [🔗 in comment]

Overvaluing the company got this startup “All Sharks Out” Deal. Dear Founders! 📅Welcome to our 100-Day Series:  👉Decoding 100 Business Mistakes Founders Should Avoid. 02 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗦𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗣𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵 🚫💸 In one of the Shark Tank Pitches, Founders lost a golden opportunity because of one critical mistake - Overvaluing the business at Rs 400 crores, asking whopping 80x multiple of Revenue. Founders had everything going right— until it came to valuing the business. 💡 Strong product? Check. 💡 Growing customer base? Check. 💡 Ambitious vision? Absolutely. 🚩𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 “𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘄𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴” When the founder revealed the valuation, it was clear that the numbers didn’t align with reality. The valuation, based on inflated projections and optimistic figures, quickly lost the Sharks' interest. 👉𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹-𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗘𝘅𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲 Watch in this episode, how a promising pitch fell apart, leaving Sharks frustrated and the founder empty-handed. https://lnkd.in/dGfhxJTm (7:40 Onwards) Shark Namita Thapar rightly said - Valuation has to be realistic, based on clear financial math and logic. 🔑 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀: • Valuation should be backed with realistic projections and multiple. • Using Revenue multiples (logical) for valuation works best for growth stage companies. • Your business is your dream, but investors need a viable path to returns. ❌Don’t let over valuation be the reason you lose a deal. 👉Stay tuned for more insights! At Colonel Consultancy, we’ve seen firsthand how proper valuation and financial guidance can make or break an investor pitch. Whether you’re preparing for Shark Tank or your next VC meeting, Team colonel can help you. 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗮 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 30 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗻𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗼 𝗮 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵! #Entrepreneurship #StartupFunding #InvestorRelations #SharkTank #BusinessValuation #ColonelConsultancy #financialconsulting #startupcommunity #financialstrategy #businessinsights #StartupSuccess #StartupMistakes #FounderTips #SharkTankIndia #ValuationStrategy #InvestorReady #ColonelConsultancy

Proud of the work we’re doing at Unbridled Advisory. Our mission is to help startups and SMBs grow and succeed, turning visions into reality. Whether it’s refining financial strategies or providing the right support for growth, we’re here for the journey. #UnbridledAdvisory #StartupSuccess #BusinessGrowth #CFOservices #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusinessSupport

Sunday Thoughts: Building a Vision Sundays are a great time to reflect on where we’re headed and the passion that fuels us. At Unbridled Advisory, our mission is clear: we’re here to help startups and SMBs not just survive but thrive. We believe that every small business has the potential to grow into something remarkable with the right strategy, guidance, and support. From navigating financial complexities to building scalable strategies, our passion is in helping founders and business owners unlock their vision and drive sustainable growth. No business is too small, and no challenge is too great when we approach it together. Here’s to pushing boundaries, setting new goals, and creating success stories. Let’s build something great, one step at a time. #SundayMotivation #StartupSuccess #SmallBusinessGrowth #EntrepreneurMindset #BusinessStrategy #FinancialAdvisory #ScaleYourBusiness #GrowthMindset #CFOservices #StrategicFinance #SMBs #BusinessGrowth #UnbridledAdvisory #Inspiration #StartupSupport

A company in business without making profits? Sounds bizarre, right? 🤔 No company can remain in business without running profits. That’s why profitability is a key goal for us. 💹 Watch how our founder, Mr. Mayank Sisodia, believes in running a lean, profitable business. 🏆 Our future startup founders can also gain important insights by understanding what the founder of The Honest Home Company would do with investment. 💡 Dive in and join us in creating a profitable, eco-friendly future! 🌍💚 Mayank Sisodia Akshit Nagpal Pranay Sharma Aditi Aggarwal Ananya Saini Parth Gupta

Intrigued by your start-up's valuation? 💼 It's the economic worth of your business. A high valuation can attract investors and opportunities. Connect with us on our website to discover more. Let's enhance your startup's value! #StartupValuation 👉🏻factsandfigures.co.uk

The VC Crystal Ball: Unveiling Market Insights for Success Embarking on your entrepreneurial journey is an exhilarating quest, with VCs as your seasoned guides. But have you ever wondered why VCs place such emphasis on the market you're venturing into? Let's demystify their secrets: - Market Sizing: Size does matter! The market's scale is the treasure map, revealing the vastness of opportunities – whether it's a pond, an ocean, or a galaxy of possibilities. - Ease of Go-to-Market: Smooth sailing or a rocky voyage? VCs evaluate the ease of your market entry, gauging the clarity of your path to customers. - Appetite for Later Stage VCs: The future matters. VCs peer ahead to anticipate your growth trajectory. A market that attracts later-stage VCs signifies long-term potential. - Exit Multiples: VCs envision the grand finale. Exit multiples unveil potential returns when your startup reaches its zenith – the ultimate reward for your dedication. - Length of Sales Cycle: Time is money, and VCs want to know how efficiently you'll turn their investment into profit. A shorter sales cycle means faster ROI. Piecing together these elements uncovers your startup's growth potential and the speed at which it can ascend. It's akin to gazing into a crystal ball, foretelling your business's future. As you embark on your entrepreneurial odyssey, remember that understanding your market isn't merely a key; it's the entire map to success. 🌟🔮 #VentureCapital #MarketInsights #StartupJourney

Founders, mastering valuation basics is crucial! Understanding the value of your startup not only attracts investors but also guides strategic decisions. A solid grasp on valuation empowers you to negotiate effectively, navigate funding rounds, and ensure sustainable growth. #StartupAdvice #ValuationMatters Gregg Ficery #TiEAtlanta

Growth is rarely a straight path - especially in the startup world. I’ve watched businesses go from chaos to clarity and land multi-million pound investments by having the right strategy in place.  It’s never just about chasing quick wins; it’s about making smart, sustainable decisions that set you up for long-term success. What does sustainable growth look like for your business?  #CarolynBoddington #TheMarketingEngine #CarolynBoddingtonConsultanting #BrandMessaging #BrandStrategy #StoryBrandGrowthStrategy #SmartMoves