Telecommunication and internet group SoftBank has co-led a $225m series B round for Mexico-based direct-to-consumer business owner-operator Merama yesterday that included Globo Ventures, the venture capital arm of media conglomerate Grupo Globo.
The round was co-led with private equity firm Advent International and valued the company at approximately $850m. Monashees, Valor Capital, Balderton Capital and Maya Capital also contributed to the round.
Founded in December 2020, Merama typically acquires majority stakes in direct-to-consumer companies located in Latin America. It has bought more than 20 consumer brands operating across Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Colombia and the United States.
Merama, which also provides industry expertise and working capital, expects its portfolio companies to generate over $250m of revenue this year.
Felipe Delgado, Merama’s co-founder and chief financial officer, said: “The new capital from the series B round will enable us to pay down debt more rapidly, partner with more great businesses, finish building our technology platform and provide working capital to existing brands.”
Paulo Passoni, managing partner of SoftBank Latin America, has been appointed to the company’s board of directors while Alex Szapiro, operating partner and head of Brazil for SoftBank Latin America, has taken a board observer position.
Merama announced in April this year it had raised $60m in seed and series A equity funding supported by $100m in debt financing. Valor Capital, Monashees, Balderton Capital and TriplePoint Capital supplied that funding alongside assorted angel investors.