The Latin American payments ecosystem is undergoing a seismic transformation, driven by rapid digitalization, shifting consumer preferences, and regulatory advancements. Between 2018 and 2022, digital payment adoption in the region surged by over 30% annually, fueled by increasing internet penetration and the pandemic’s push toward contactless transactions. Cash usage plummeted from 59% in 2021 to just 30% in 2023, signaling a dramatic shift to digital-first solutions. Merchants and consumers are now demanding faster, more transparent, and cost-efficient payment options, while acquirers and payment facilitators are under pressure to modernize their offerings to remain competitive.
Akua is uniquely positioned to drive this evolution. As a cloud-native SaaS platform, Akua empowers fintechs to quickly enter the acquiring business or transition into Payment Service Providers (PSPs). This capability not only enables new market entrants to scale rapidly but also helps existing players, reduce costs, enhance service delivery, and transition to modern, cloud-based infrastructures. Akua’s platform democratizes and streamlines access to modern payment rails, addressing critical inefficiencies in the acquiring sector.
The leadership team at Akua is undoubtedly one of its strongest assets, combining exceptional expertise in the fintech and payments industry with deep regional knowledge of Latin America. CEO Carlos Marín brings over 15 years of experience in the sector, having spearheaded key operations and acquisition strategies for Mastercard, PayU, and Pomelo across markets like Colombia, Argentina, and Mexico. Throughout his career, Carlos managed multimillion-dollar budgets, secured deals exceeding $200 million in total contract value, and built strategic partnerships with major players such as Bancolombia, Davivienda, and Nu. His strategic vision is critical to scaling Akua’s operations.
CTO Juan José Behrend brings over 15 years of experience in technology, with 7 years focused on fintech, where he has earned a reputation as a leader in developing scalable technical solutions. As the founder of two startups, a key contributor to Pomelo’s technology, and a pivotal player in the success of dLocal and PedidosYa, he has been instrumental in shaping the payments and delivery ecosystems across LATAM. Juan José has led engineering teams of over 100 professionals, driving innovation and delivering solutions for top-tier clients like Google and Netflix. His proven expertise in architecting and scaling platforms from the ground up makes him the ideal technical visionary to ensure Akua’s platform is both robust and scalable.
COO Rodrigo Rodrigues rounds out the team with over 13 years of experience, including key roles at Mastercard, Movii, and Jeeves. During his tenure at Mastercard, Rodrigo built and launched issuing programs with today´s biggest neobanks in Brazil from scratch, including the onboarding and reply of Nubank´s operations back in 2014, honing his expertise in developing payment solutions tailored to regional markets. At Movii and Jeeves, he successfully scaled payment operations and stablished robust processes that supported millions of users across the region. His deep operational experience and ability to optimize teams and workflows ensure Akua is well-positioned to execute and expand efficiently.
This team not only brings a proven track record of building and scaling fintech businesses but also possesses a deep understanding of the specific needs of Latin American markets. This unique combination of technical expertise, strategic insight, and operational execution gives Akua a clear and sustainable competitive edge in the rapidly evolving payments industry.
The regional market conditions are also highly favorable for Akua’s growth. By 2025, Latin America’s payments industry is expected to surpass $2 trillion, propelled by the shift from cash to digital payments and regulatory reforms that encourage innovation. Countries like Mexico and Colombia are opening doors for non-bank acquirers, creating an ideal environment for Akua’s technology-first solutions to thrive. These developments align perfectly with Akua’s vision of empowering acquirers, PayFacs, gateways, and orchestrators to modernize and scale efficiently.
Akua’s merchant-centric approach further underscores its potential impact. In a landscape where merchants face increasing demands from tech-savvy consumers, Akua provides the tools needed to optimize back-office processes and deliver superior payment experiences. Its ability to enable acquirers and PSPs to adapt to these new realities positions Akua as a critical enabler of innovation in the region.
Our investment in Akua reflects HTwenty’s ongoing commitment to fintech innovation. Akua joins a portfolio that includes transformative companies like Felix Pago, Tapi, and Supra, reinforcing our belief in the power of technology to reshape financial services across the Americas.
With its visionary team, cutting-edge platform, and alignment with a rapidly evolving market, Akua is set to redefine the payments landscape in Latin America. We are excited to support their journey and contribute to building a more inclusive and efficient financial ecosystem for the region.
