500Global backs e-CROSS to unlock e-commerce in LATAM
500Global invests in Brazilian startup e-CROSS to boost cross-border e-commerce in Latin America, simplifying global brand access to regional consumers.
Cross-border e-commerce in Latin America is entering a new phase. Betting on this momentum, global venture capital firm 500Global has announced a strategic investment in Brazilian startup e-CROSS, a company aiming to simplify the complex process of international online selling by connecting global brands directly with LATAM consumers.
Why 500Global chose e-CROSS
According to Ceci Ezquerro, Portfolio Director at 500Global, the firm sees the regional market heading toward $220 billion in direct-to-consumer cross-border sales by 2027. “We decided to invest in e-CROSS because their vision aligns with the explosive growth of cross-border e-commerce in the region,” she said. “Their ability to simplify a traditionally complex process points to a future where buying and selling across borders is as seamless as local commerce.”
The decision to invest wasn’t immediate. It came after a thorough evaluation, which highlighted two key elements: a solid business model addressing a real problem, and a resilient founding team with long-term vision. For 500Global, e-CROSS represents more than just a startup, it’s a bold, innovative solution with the potential to reshape global commerce flows in and out of Latin America.
Ezquerro emphasized that while LATAM consumers are eager to access global brands, companies often struggle with logistics and local infrastructure. “e-CROSS allows those brands to sell in the region without physical presence or complicated partnerships,” she noted.
A $300K milestone and a bigger message
The $300,000 investment marks the first institutional capital e-CROSS has received, after previously being backed only by angel investors. For CEO Rafael Sant’Anna, it’s a turning point: “This opens doors. We’ve built a solution that handles everything from currency conversion to logistics and payments, now we’re ready to scale.”
Through its full-service model, e-CROSS enables, for example, a Belgian clothing brand to sell in Mexico, Brazil, or Colombia without opening a store, hiring local teams, or dealing with complex contracts.
Beyond the capital, the backing of 500Global signals broader shifts in the region. It brings visibility, pushes startups to mature, and fosters knowledge transfer through mentorship and access to global networks.