Staying curious and spotting emerging trends with Kanoa Capital's Guilherme Bonifácio
In this episode of Brazil (is not) for Beginners, Isaac sits down with Guilherme Bonifácio, one of Brazil’s most successful serial entrepreneurs and co-founder of Kanoa Capital, a pioneer in the search fund space. Guilherme was one of the co-founders of iFood, the market leader in food delivery in Brazil, but this episode focuses on Guilherme’s journey after iFood, in particular his experience founding Mercê do Bairro, and ultimately deciding to close the company and return $7 million to investors as well as his most recent venture Kanoa Capital. Guilherme shares what he learned from his experience with Mercê, why he made the decision to winddown and return funds to his investors, and what it reveals about resilience and responsibility in entrepreneurship. The conversation then moves on to Guilherme’s newest venture where he is focused on search funds and their growing relevance in the Brazilian market. Guilherme further reflects on his broader personal journey, including his earlier role as a co-founder of iFood, and how these experiences continue to shape his long-term vision with Kanoa Capital. Other key topics include:• The responsibilities of founders and the importance of staying humble• Why it’s important for founders to understand the mechanics of venture capital and the interests and motivations of your investors• Why Guilherme believes so strongly in the enormous potential of search funds in Brazil• Key qualities and traits for successful searchers and business strategies• And lots more...
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50:03
Revolutionizing Brazil's Green Landscape with Courageous Land
In this episode of Brazil (is not) for Beginners, Isaac Matzner sits down with Philip Kauders, CEO & Co-Founder at Courageous Land. They discuss Philip’s journey to Brazil, his career transition from finance to sustainable agriculture, and his efforts through Courageous Land to combat climate change via agroforestry and carbon credits. Philip explains the economic and environmental benefits of integrating agroforestry into Brazil's agricultural practices and highlights how Courageous Land is addressing key challenges to scalability, emphasizing how Brazil is positioned to lead in sustainable agriculture.Other key topics include:• Sustainability Concepts: Carbon Credits, Carbon Sequestration, Agroforestry and more• The history and mission of Courageous Land• Challenges and opportunities in Brazil's agricultural sector• The growing importance of technology and data in sustainable agriculture• The importance of local knowledge and relationships for success in Brazil• Brazil's biodiversity as an opportunity for agroforestry and the influence of global demand on sustainable farming practices• And lots more...
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47:16
Building Success in Brazil’s Insurance World with Marcos Couto
In this episode of Brazil (is not) for Beginners, Isaac sits down with Marcos Couto, President and CEO of Alper Seguros, seasoned insurance executive, and veteran board member. With nearly 40 years in the industry, Marcos has done it all—from starting out in marine insurance at 14, to leading growth strategies at companies like ACE Brazil and executing major turnarounds at Tempo Assist and BR Insurance, now Alper Seguros, a consolidator transforming Brazil’s fragmented insurance brokerage landscape.Marcos shares the lessons learned from a career defined by bold moves, high-stakes decisions, and a deep understanding of how governance, strategy and a focus on execution and performance shape long-term success. Whether you’re interested in Brazil’s unique business dynamics, leadership under pressure, or scaling companies in tough markets, this conversation delivers insights well beyond the world of insurance. Other key topics include:• Why strategic career moves can matter more than linear growth• What it takes to turn around struggling companies and drive big exits• How governance, transparency, and board alignment impact business growth• The playbook for consolidating industries through mergers & acquisitions• Why meritocracy and culture are critical in scaling high-performance teams• The hidden opportunities in Brazil’s insurance and brokerage markets• And lots more…
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48:46
Delving into Brazil’s Chocolate Culture with Mission Chocolate
'Brazil (is not) for Beginners’ is back with a new video episode! This time, Isaac interviews Arcelia Gallardo, from Mission Chocolate, elected BEST CHOCOLATE for 2 consecutive years by VEJA SÃO PAULO COMER & BEBER. In this episode, Arcelia shares her fascinating journey from working in the culinary industry in Los Angeles to starting her acclaimed chocolate business in Brazil. Key points include the educational mission behind her successful enterprise, and thechallenges and joys of running a small business in Brazil.Other takeaways from the conversation include: • Brazil's unique chocolate culture• The historical and cultural significance of cacao• The significance of local and sustainable ingredients in Mission Chocolate's bars • The technical process of bean-to-bar chocolate making• The process of sourcing cacao and building relationships with farmers • How the Brazilian palate for chocolate has evolved• And lots more...
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1:18:03
Battling Fraud in Brazil: A Deep Dive with IDWall's Rafa Lichtenecker
In this episode of 'Brazil (is not) for Beginners,' Isaac welcomes Rafa Lichtenecker, VP of Operations at ID Wall, to discuss the complexities and challenges of fraud in Brazil. With 14 years of experience in the fraud and payment industry, Rafa shares his journey from operations to becoming a fraud specialist. The conversation covers the various types of fraud, and dives deep into the unique challenges faced in Brazil. Rafa highlights the importance of early risk assessment for companies, the role of AI in both aiding and complicating fraud detection, and the significant impact fraud can have on businesses and consumers. He also shares some of his own stories facing fraudsters adding "If you, as a fraud professional, have never been beaten up by fraud, like you are definitely not prepared to work in this field."Other takeaways from the conversation include: • The importance of early risk assessment to prevent significant fraud losses.• Different types of fraud: first-party, second-party, and third-party.• Unique challenges of managing fraud in Brazil.• The evolving role of AI in fraud detection and prevention.• Practical steps for companies to protect themselves from fraud.• The rise of phishing and scams targeting Brazilian consumers.• The impact of fintech innovation on fraud dynamics in Brazil.• The necessity for continuous adaptation in fraud prevention strategies.• And lots more...
Brazil (is not) for Beginners is a podcast about the opportunities and challenges of doing business in Brazil. Host Isaac Matzner is the co-founder of Teddy and has been living and working in Brazil for the better part of a decade. He is based in São Paulo.
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