PT

Phillip Trauer

Managing Director at Vivo Ventures

São Paulo, São Paulo

Overview 

Phillip Trauer is currently serving as the Managing Director at Vivo Ventures and Wayra in São Paulo, São Paulo. With a background in venture capital, mergers and acquisitions, and real estate, he has successfully led early-stage companies and growth capital initiatives, showcasing expertise in project finance and portfolio management. Highlights of his career include managing director roles at both Vivo Ventures and Wayra, demonstrating a strong track record in leadership within the venture capital and entrepreneurship space.

Work Experience 

  • Managing Director

    2024 - Current

    Corporate Venture Capital arm of Brazilian Telecom Operator Vivo (B3: VIVT3). At Vivo Ventures, I concentrate on the investment practice, from deal sourcing to execution and portfolio management. The fund has a wide ranging sectorial focus on Series A-B technology opportunities, accelerating Vivo’s entry into new lines of business. Current portfolio includes: Agrolend, Digibee, CRM bonus, Klubi, Klavi, Lend, and Conexa Saude.

  • Managing Director

    2024

    Wayra is a startup investment and innovation hub founded by Telefónica, one of the largest Telecom companies globally. Wayra operates through different hubs in 9 countries. At Wayra, I lead a multidisciplinary team that accelerates open innovation into Vivo. Wayra invests, consults and disseminates knowledge (all things tech related). Current Wayra Brazil portfolio counts with 25+ multi-stage companies.

  • Venture Partner

    2023 - 2024

    Valor Capital Group is an investment firm focused on Brazil and US/Brazil cross-border opportunities with a presence in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Silicon Valley and New York. The firm operates across two investment strategies: Venture Capital and Growth Equity. - Joined Valor Capital in 2017 post-MBA as an Investment Associate; Relocated to São Paulo to launch the São Paulo office - Quarterbacked all aspects related to investing, from thesis development, to sourcing and deal lead and execution; Provided critical support on: fundraising, investor relations, and operations

  • Principal

    2017 - 2023

    Investments / boards include: - Agrolend (lead, observer), Cobli (observer), Docket (observer), Arquivei (board member), Zak (lead, board member), Buser (lead), Kovi (lead), Tembici (lead), Merama (lead), Botmaker (lead), Velotax, PatternAg (lead), Gupy (lead), Loft, Deuna, Woba, Gaivota (lead, observer), Quaddro (lead) - Sectorial focus: Climate Tech, Agriculture & Food, Logistics & Mobility, Proptech and SaaS. - Geo coverage: Global oversight with an emphasis on Brazil and Mexico

  • Growth (RE group)

    2017 - 2017

    Joined Sonder in their San Francisco HQ post Series A raise (led by Greylock Partners) at the time a hospitality scale-up. I was part of a small team that led larger real estate transactions in partnership with PE funds, FOs, and developers to manage their residential assets under short-term rental monetization strategies. Sonder is currently publicly traded under NAS:SOND. The company operates a portfolio of short and long term rental properties across the globe.

Sonder is a tech-driven hospitality company offering spaces built for travel and life in cities around the world.

Raised $839,550,000.00 from Talent Resources Ventures and TriplePoint Ventures.

  • Investment Banking Summer Associate (RE/Hospitality Group)

    2016 - 2016

Citigroup is a financial services holding company that provides various financial products and services.

Raised $12,950,000,000.00 from ValueAct Capital and Abu Dhabi Investment Authority.

  • Real Estate Development

    2014 - 2015

    Rio-based real estate developer with wide focus including commercial, hotel, and residential properties.

  • Partner

    2012 - 2013

    Advisory firm specialized in the real estate sector, focusing its activities in: M&A, divestment strategies, securitization of receivables, and debt restructuring. Porto also launched a CRE acquisition vehicle centered on the revitalizing port area of Rio de Janeiro.

  • Venture Capital Analyst

    2010 - 2012

    Venture capital firm with multi-stage investments in the technology, media and telecom sectors in Latin America.

  • Hospitality Mergers and Acquisitions

    2008 - 2009

    Brazil’s largest Hospitality REIT, owning, developing and operating a portfolio of Hotels & Resorts

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