Kaszek
UnclaimedAt a Glance
- Check Size
- $1M – $100M
- Stage
- Seed, Series A, Series B+
- Sectors
- Fintech, Consumer, SaaS +2
- Founded
- 2011
- HQ
- Montevideo, Uruguay
About Kaszek
Kaszek Ventures was founded in 2011 by Hernan Kazah and Nicolas Szekasy, the co-founders of MercadoLibre, Latin America's leading e-commerce platform. The firm emerged from their deep understanding of building successful technology companies in the region and has since become the largest and most prominent venture capital firm in Latin America. Kaszek focuses on backing exceptional entrepreneurs across the region, with particular strength in fintech, marketplaces, SaaS, and consumer technology. The firm has been instrumental in the development of Latin America's startup ecosystem, leading investments in some of the region's most successful unicorns including Nubank, Brazil's digital banking giant, and Kavak, the used car marketplace. Their investment approach combines deep local market knowledge with global scaling expertise, typically investing from seed through growth stages. The firm operates with offices across major Latin American markets and has established itself as the go-to partner for ambitious entrepreneurs looking to build transformational companies across the region.
Investment Thesis
“Backs visionary Latin American entrepreneurs building transformative technology companies that reshape industries across the region.”
Leadership Team
Hernan Kazah and Nicolas Szekasy are the co-founders and are named as directors on every Kaszek fund filing from 2011 through 2023. Both came from MercadoLibre, where Kazah was a co-founder and chief operating officer and Szekasy served as chief financial officer.
The firm describes itself as tech entrepreneurs rather than career financiers, and says it has been involved in the regional ecosystem for more than 20 years as entrepreneurs, mentors and investors. Beyond capital, Kaszek positions its contribution as first-hand work on strategy, operational execution, team-building, growth, technology, product development and downstream fundraising, and commits to supporting portfolio management teams across several subsequent rounds. Kaszek operates with local presence in Buenos Aires, Mexico City, Montevideo and Sao Paulo.
Sector Focus
Investment Stage
Notable Portfolio Companies
Fund History
Kaszek has raised nine funds, a count the firm confirms on its own site. SEC Form D filings, all made from Montevideo, give the sizes. Kaszek Ventures I sold $56.4 million after a September 2011 first sale. Fund II followed in January 2014 at $47.7 million. Fund III closed the full $200 million it offered in May 2017. In August 2019 the firm closed Fund IV at $375 million alongside its first Opportunity fund at $225 million, the pairing that gave Kaszek both early-stage and growth capability.
The 2021 vintage doubled that structure: Fund V at $475 million and Opportunity II at $525 million, both fully sold. In March 2023 Kaszek closed Fund VI at $540 million and Opportunity III at $435 million. Committed capital across the nine vehicles totals roughly $2.9 billion. Early-stage funds write first checks at seed, Series A or Series B; opportunity funds invest from Series C to pre-IPO. The firm counts 132 ventures and 306 entrepreneurs backed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What stage does Kaszek invest at?
Kaszek primarily invests at the Seed, Series A, Series B+ stages. This means they focus on companies that are building their initial product and finding product-market fit.
Where is Kaszek located?
Kaszek is headquartered in Montevideo, Uruguay. Many of their portfolio companies are also based in this region, though they invest across geographies.
What sectors does Kaszek focus on?
Kaszek focuses on investments in Fintech, Consumer, SaaS, Marketplace, EdTech. Their portfolio reflects deep expertise and networks within these sectors.
What is Kaszek's typical check size?
Kaszek's typical investment check size ranges from $1M to $100M. Actual amounts may vary based on the stage, sector, and specific opportunity.
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