Q&A with Héctor Shibata Salazar, director of investments and portfolio, AC Ventures
Regarding his unit, Héctor Shibata, director of investments and portfolio for AC Ventures (ACV), Mexico-listed beverage distributor Arca Continental’s corporate venturing fund, said: “In August 2020, we closed an investment in an Israeli retail tech company disrupting the foodservice industry in the US.
“In October 2020, we closed an investment in a Chilean company fighting side by side with the likes of UberEats and Rappi. It digitalises and provides better service and prices to retailers and restaurants.
“In November 2020, we closed an investment for a Mexican company that is trying to become the next Toast of Latin America, providing a POS (point-of-sale) and management systems to restaurants. In addition, we invested as an LP (limited partner) in an Israeli VC fund.
“[In April 2021], we closed an investment in a food service delivery company in the US. During the [same] month, we will close an investment in a US VC fund.
“We are actively collaborating with startups running proof of concepts, pilots and commercial agreements. For instance, we are in the process to run pilots with Zippin in the US, we have technically integrated with Sonect so retailers can provide that service and exchange insights with companies such as LoveLocal. Last year, we reviewed 186 potential pilots with business units, made 59 introductions and ran six pilots.
“We have participated in multiple events as speakers, panellists, mentors and judges with organisations such as SuperReturn, Lima Fintech Forum, Lavca, Pecap, ColCapital, MassChallenge and Xcala.
“Also, team members have been named GCV Rising Stars – Ana Maury Aguilar and Ricardo Latournerie – and Emerging Leader – Gonzalo Soriano.”
