Latin Leap Launches Fund II, Advisor Network and AI Investment Tools
Venture capital firm Latin Leap has officially announced the launch of its second investment vehicle, Latin Leap Fund II, targeting early-stage technology companies across Spanish-speaking Latin America with a strong strategic focus on Mexico and Colombia. Building upon the performance of its inaugural fund, which backed a 15-company portfolio including startups such as PuntoPost, Mutuus, and Heva, the new fund focuses on scaling regional leaders built on globally proven business models.
The firm's core investment thesis centers on reducing business model risk by adapting successful international models to regional market dynamics, with a strong emphasis on artificial intelligence integration. Fund II targets seed-stage enterprises operating across high-growth sectors, including healthtech, fintech, insurtech, HR tech, cleantech, and next-generation retail. Beyond initial deployments, the strategy reserves capital to support high-performing portfolio companies through subsequent funding rounds.
Latin Leap's leadership team and Investment Committee comprise managing partners and senior executives with extensive institutional and entrepreneurial experience. The committee is chaired by Rodrigo Zorrilla, former CEO of Citi's Institutional Clients Group and former COO of Citi for the Asia Region, alongside Stefan Krautwald, founder and Managing Partner of Latin Leap; David Geisen, Country Lead for Mexico and SVP Hispanics at MercadoLibre; and Paco Ybarra, former Global CEO of Citi's Institutional Clients Group.
Leveraging AI and an Elite Advisor Network
A central differentiator for Fund II is the formal introduction of the LP Senior Advisor Network, an advisory group composed of nine senior operators who are also investors in the fund. This network provides portfolio founders with specialized sector insight and executive mentorship. The inaugural group includes high-profile corporate leaders such as Ignacio Caride, former CEO of Walmart de México y Centroamérica; Álvaro Fernández, President and CEO of Grupo Alfa; Manuel Romo, former CEO of Grupo Financiero Banamex; Philippe Schaus, former CEO of Moët Hennessy; and Andrés Garza Herrera, President of the Business Council of Nuevo León, alongside other prominent figures.
In parallel with human capital, Latin Leap has deepened its technological edge by embedding proprietary artificial intelligence tools across its entire investment pipeline, spanning deal sourcing, due diligence, and portfolio support. As part of Fund II, the firm has integrated "jessAI," an internally developed artificial intelligence advisory member that participates directly in Investment Committee sessions. The AI tool reviews deal documentation, cross-references committee discussions against the data room, flags analytical gaps or data inconsistencies, and provides an independent operational perspective.
Strategic Market Focus and Portfolio Growth
Mexico and Colombia remain the primary operational hubs for Latin Leap's investment activities. More than 60 percent of the companies in the firm's initial portfolio are headquartered or operate directly within Mexico, positioning the country as a critical anchor for regional expansion.
The firm is also evolving its positioning within the ecosystem by adopting a more active governance role, taking a leading share in funding rounds, and holding board seats across portfolio companies. This active engagement is complemented by institutional relationships, such as a 2026 co-investment agreement formalized with ANII, the national innovation agency of Uruguay.
According to Stefan Krautwald, managing partner and investment committee member, the firm aims to act as the primary institutional partner for regional founders. By combining patient capital, real operational expertise from seasoned business leaders, and applied artificial intelligence, Latin Leap seeks to accelerate the maturation of the regional technology ecosystem and position Latin American enterprises to compete effectively on a global scale.
Source: Latin Leap
