Brazil investors adapt the Silicon Valley venture model to fund growth

April 8, 2015

Venture capitalist Anderson Thees describes how venture investors and technology entrepreneurs are finding outsized growth opportunities in Brazil, amid a challenging economy, by adapting lessons from Silicon Valley. In a video interview with Andy Tsao, managing director for Silicon Valley Bank's Global Gateway and Global Private Equity Services teams, Thees tells how Redpoint e.ventures focuses on innovations in internet infrastructure, online marketplaces and mobile communications in Brazil, the world's seventh-largest economy. A large and rapidly growing online and mobile population provides a scalable base for entrepreneurs who identify key needs within the Brazilian marketplace, says Thees, managing director and co-founder of Redpoint e.ventures.

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About the Author

Andy Tsao is the head of SVB’s Global Gateway, which assists innovation companies in the emerging markets with their US and international market expansion. He brings more than 20 years of experience banking dynamic companies in technology industries worldwide.

In his role, Tsao manages SVB’s relationships with venture capital and private equity firms outside the U.S., and also helps emerging market companies as they seek U.S. market entry and U.S. companies as they seek to expand abroad. In both capacities, Tsao provides these firms with strategic advice and banking services, including debt financing, based on a deep understanding of their needs.

Previously, Tsao led and helped found SVB’s U.K.-based operation, SVB Financial Group UK Ltd, which was established in 2004. For six years, he was responsible for building senior debt relationships with high-growth technology, life sciences and clean technology companies in the U.K. and Europe. Tsao routinely speaks about technology and venture financing at conferences such as events held by the European Venture Capital Association, Super Return, BayBrazil, and Latin American Venture Capital Association. Tsao is a TiE Silicon Valley Charter Member and Asia America MultiTechnology Association (AAMA) Silicon Valley Co-President and Charter Member, and serves on the West Coast Advisory Board for Colgate University.

While based in London, Tsao founded and moderated SVB Financial Group UK’s Venture Capital Advisory Board, was a two-time European Tech Tour Selection Committee member, and served on Think London’s North American Task Force and the Advisory Board for Astia U.K.

Before endeavoring to open the U.K. office for SVB Financial Group, Tsao was a Senior Vice President in Silicon Valley Bank’s Boston office, where he served as a technology lender and senior relationship manager focused on New England’s technology industry.

Prior to joining Silicon Valley Bank in 1997, Tsao was a technology lender at BankBoston, and BayBank in Burlington, Mass. He began his banking career with USTrust in Boston in 1988.

Tsao earned a bachelor’s degree from Colgate University and an MBA from Boston University.