By Luiz Henrique Didier Jr.*
The booming investment market in Brazil is consolidated, as well as the growing interest of foreign investors in Brazilian companies still in the growth phase with innovative projects, the startups. According to a Dataminer District survey, USD 3.5 billion were raised in 2020, representing a 17% growth compared to the USD 2.97 billion invested in 2019. Investment rounds also grew: 469, compared to 260 in 2019.
Hence, investments in venture capital have moved a large volume of foreign capital into Brazil, increasing foreign exchange transactions: conversion of foreign currency, paid by the investor, into national currency, received by the startup.
However, despite the foreign exchange operation being the mean by which money enters Brazil, some startups do not consider relevant aspects of foreign exchange regulatory requirements during the structuring of the investment project.
And what would be the necessary precautions in structuring a foreign venture capital investment?
Preferably, the startup should think about exchange by design, which means considering the exchange stage from the beginning of the investment structuring. When choosing the investment, the exchange rate type should already be considered due to the following impacts:
– Taxation on foreign exchange transactions
– Documentation required by the exchange company
– Records in Sisbacen (Brazilian Central Bank Information System)
Compliance with these elements contributes to the financial operation being processed more efficiently and securely since the exchange institution, appointed by the startup, will review these aspects before carrying out the settlement.
In situations with initial structuring, exchange tends to be faster than in cases in which exchange aspects are only verified when funds are received. Operational agility is essential, especially in a scenario of high volatility in the foreign exchange market, in which a day’s delay can be irreparable.
For this reason, it is recommended the practical aspects of receiving funds be evaluated from the beginning, preventing interested parties from being surprised by events they had not mapped.
Suppose there is no possibility of dealing with the exchange rate right at the beginning of the project. In that case, it is essential to choose a financial institution specialized in exchange, so the transaction is handled with the assertiveness and efficiency the client needs.
Luiz Henrique Didier Jr. is CEO of Bexs Banco
Translated by Elúsio Brasileiro
The opinions expressed in the articles are the responsibility of the authors.
