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Blanco Raises $1.7 Million to Scale AI-Native SME Financing Across Latin America

The Chilean startup sets a crowdfunding record to expand its WhatsApp-driven financial services for underserved micro-enterprises.

The Chilean startup sets a crowdfunding record to expand its WhatsApp-driven financial services for underserved micro-enterprises.

NewDecoded

Published Mar 30, 2026

Mar 30, 2026

3 min read

Image by Blanco

A Historic Leap for SME Liquidity

Blanco Financiero SpA has successfully closed a record-breaking funding round, securing approximately $1.7 million (CLP $1.826 billion) via the equity crowdfunding platform Broota. This achievement represents the highest funding amount ever raised through the platform in Latin America, signaling strong investor confidence in the company vision. The capital will fuel the startup mission to become the first AI-native digital bank for micro and small enterprises across the region.

Empowering the Underserved Market

The company specializes in solving the liquidity crisis for small businesses by underwriting operations that traditional institutions typically ignore. Blanco focuses on small-ticket financing ranging from USD $500 to $5,000, providing much-needed cash flow to the businesses that generate over 75% of employment in Latin America. Their product suite includes factoring, which allows companies to advance invoice payments in minutes, alongside working capital loans and purchase order financing.

AI-Driven Efficiency and Human Touch

Blanco technological edge lies in its proprietary AI infrastructure that automates everything from enrollment and risk assessment to debt collection. By operating primarily through WhatsApp, the platform reaches business owners on their preferred communication channel, removing the friction associated with traditional banking portals. This technology is complemented by a hybrid support model, ensuring that every client still has access to human expertise from a dedicated executive when needed.

Scaling the Future of LatAm Finance

With the fresh injection of capital, the company is preparing for rapid regional expansion and further technological refinement. The leadership team, bolstered by the full-time commitment of industry veterans like Carlos Veloso, is focused on turning high-volume micro-loans into a sustainable and profitable business model. As Blanco continues to scale, it aims to transform how millions of families and small business owners interact with the financial system.

Decoded Take

Decoded Take

Decoded Take

This funding milestone signals a significant shift in the Latin American FinTech landscape toward long-tail lending and AI-driven operational efficiency. By successfully underwriting micro-transactions that were historically too expensive for traditional banks to service, Blanco is proving that automation can solve the structural exclusion of small businesses. For the industry, this represents a move away from generalist digital banking toward specialized platforms that prioritize accessibility and integrated communication channels like WhatsApp over legacy banking apps.

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