For Latin American startups, securing financing through specialized platforms and fintech firms is essential to overcome the limitations of traditional banking. By choosing the right lender, they can access non-dilutive capital, streamline approvals, and obtain credit lines tailored to their growth and cash-flow needs.
1. Konfío (Mexico)
Product Overview: Konfío offers fully digital credit lines of up to MXN 5 million, unsecured, with approval in under 24 hours. Their 100 percent online process leverages alternative data (e-invoicing sales, SAT records) to qualify entrepreneurs lacking a traditional banking history.
Key Advantages:
- No collateral or guarantors required.
- Flexible terms from 3 to 12 months.
- Competitive rates aligned to risk profile.
- Integration with accounting and e-invoicing systems.
Typical Use Cases: Inventory purchases, digital marketing campaigns, and boosting working capital during peak sales periods.
2. Credijusto (Mexico)
Product Overview: Credijusto specializes in asset-backed term loans, equipment leasing, and revolving credit lines. Loan sizes range from MXN 100 000 to MXN 10 million with tenors of 4 to 36 months and transparent APRs.
Key Advantages:
- Financing for fixed assets (machinery, IT equipment).
- Approval in 48–72 hours with immediate disbursement.
- Financial leasing options.
- Personalized financial advisory.
Typical Use Cases: Machinery acquisition for light manufacturing, fleet renewal, and tech equipment purchase for software firms.
3. Mercado Crédito (Brazil, Mexico, Argentina)
Product Overview: As an arm of Mercado Pago, this digital lender has deployed over USD 3.4 billion to sellers and SMEs. It provides micro-loans from USD 500 up to USD 30 000, with funds delivered instantly to the Mercado Pago account.
Key Advantages:
- Native integration with the e-commerce platform.
- Preferential rates for high-volume sellers.
- No physical collateral required.
- Easy line renewal based on repayment behavior.
Typical Use Cases: Funding marketplace inventory, seasonal sales campaigns (e.g., Black Friday), and last-mile operational costs.
4. Kueski (Mexico)
Product Overview: Kueski’s Kueski Cash offers unsecured micro-loans up to MXN 25 500 with 7–30-day terms. Their Kueski Pay BNPL solution enables e-commerce startups to offer financing directly to customers.
Key Advantages:
- Approvals in under 5 minutes.
- No hidden fees.
- API and plug-and-play integrations for online stores.
- AI-driven scoring based on digital behavior.
Typical Use Cases: Urgent hardware purchases, working capital for micro-e-commerce, and customer financing solutions.
5. Afluenta (Argentina, Mexico, Peru)
Product Overview: A peer-to-peer lending marketplace offering loans from USD 1 000 to USD 20 000, with 12–48-month tenors and rates 5–10 percentage points below traditional banks.
Key Advantages:
- Transparent fee structure.
- Diversified funding sources.
- Partial co-signing options.
- Automated, collaborative credit assessment.
Typical Use Cases: Regional expansion projects, new-segment market research, and refinancing high-cost debt.
6. Cumplo (Mexico, Chile)
Product Overview: Cumplo provides factoring and receivables financing via a P2P network. It has mobilized USD 892 million across 38 574 transactions, advancing invoice payments for 30–90 day terms.
Key Advantages:
- Disbursement in 24–48 hours after invoice validation.
- Rates tied to receivables’ age.
- Integrated portfolio management and collections.
- No additional collateral needed.
Typical Use Cases: Unlocking cash tied in B2B invoices, managing cash cycles, and alleviating liquidity stress in construction and manufacturing.
7. BBVA Spark (Mexico)
Product Overview: A venture-debt line for fintechs and tech startups post-seed round. It offers USD 100 000 to USD 2 million, 12–24-month terms, and covenants linked to growth metrics.
Key Advantages:
- Access to BBVA’s SME banking services.
- Market-competitive rates based on benchmarks.
- Networking opportunities with investors.
- Regulatory compliance support.
Typical Use Cases: Scaling development teams, cloud infrastructure expenses, and initial international expansion.
8. Anteris Capital (Mexico)
Product Overview: A structured-debt fund financing working-capital and expansion projects for growth-stage companies (post-Series A). Loan sizes range from USD 500 000 to USD 5 million with flexible terms tied to project lifecycles.
Key Advantages:
- Fixed or variable rate options.
- Grace periods aligned with cash flows.
- Upside participation via warrants in select cases.
- Industrial due diligence and strategic guidance.
Typical Use Cases: Plant expansion, product-line development, and local competitor acquisitions.
9. Altum Capital (Mexico)
Product Overview: Provides financing to non-bank financial institutions and private equity–backed SMEs. Offers syndicated loans and revolving facilities from USD 1 million to USD 20 million, 2–5 year terms, and financial covenants.
Key Advantages:
- Custom structuring by risk profile.
- Sector expertise in FMCG and healthcare.
- USD-denominated options to hedge FX risk.
- Periodic KPI reporting and risk-management support.
Typical Use Cases: M&A of consolidating startups, import financing, and distribution network expansion.
10. Element SaaS Finance (Latin America)
Product Overview: Revenue-based financing for recurring-revenue software startups. Advances up to 20 percent of ARR, repaid via daily or weekly revenue shares.
Key Advantages:
- No collateral or personal guarantees required.
- No equity dilution or strict covenants.
- Typical repayment period of 12–18 months.
- Fully digital application with approvals in under a week.
Typical Use Cases: Accelerating sales teams, growth marketing investment, and product enhancements.
Key Factors for Selecting a Lender
- Loan Size & Term: Short-term working capital (factoring, micro-loans) vs. asset/expansion financing (venture debt, structured debt).
- Disbursement Speed: Fintechs deliver funds in 24–72 hours; venture debt and structured funds may require weeks.
- Total Cost: Compare interest rates, origination fees, prepayment penalties, and collection costs.
- Collateral Requirements: Assess ability to pledge assets versus preferring unsecured products.
- Regulatory Compliance: Ensure CNBV, CONDUSEF, or local central bank oversight and data-protection standards.
- Tech Integrations: Favor platforms with APIs/plugins that sync with ERP, CRM, and e-commerce systems.
- Value-Added Support: Some funds offer mentorship, networking, and investor introductions beyond capital.
Diversifying funding sources is crucial for Latin American startups aiming for sustainable scale. By blending agile fintech solutions with specialized venture debt, young companies can optimize cash flow, accelerate strategic investments, and compete more robustly in local and global markets without sacrificing equity. A rigorous selection process that balances cost, speed, and flexibility will pave the way to nurturing the region’s next unicorn.