Santander Innoventures

Santander InnoVentures, now rebranded as Mouro Capital, is a premier fintech-focused venture capital fund launched in 2014. Initially endowed with $100 million, the fund has since doubled its allocation to $400 million. It targets early and growth-stage startups primarily in Europe and the Americas, often leading funding rounds with initial investments up to $15 million. Mouro Capital's strategic focus is on fintech innovations that can be integrated with Santander's banking operations, fostering significant collaborations with over 70% of its portfolio companies. Noteworthy investments include Ripple, Tradeshift, and Upgrade, with notable exits like iZettle's $2 billion sale to PayPal. Mouro Capital aims for a diversified portfolio within fintech, encompassing sectors like blockchain, digital identity verification, and online payment solutions. The fund's strong financial returns are highlighted by internal rates of return (IRR) between 25-35%, and a portfolio-wide cash-on-cash multiple of 1.75x, reaching above 3-4x for mature investments. Led by Manuel Silva Martínez and senior advisor Chris Gottschalk, Mouro Capital emphasizes agility and strategic alignment with entrepreneurs. The fund prefers proactive engagement, valuing clear, innovative pitches and strategic fit with Santander’s goals. The team, primarily based in London, leverages a robust global network to support startups, making Mouro Capital a key player in the fintech investment landscape.