Yungas bets on artificial intelligence with a US$920-thousand fund for startups

Yungas announced a new investment plan to support artificial intelligence startups focused on the franchise sector and in-house operations. The company will allocate R$5 million (approximately US$920 thousand) over 2026 to fund technology solutions that help businesses optimize their operational and financial management.

The first investment has already been made in Fin, a Brazilian startup specializing in artificial intelligence applied to financial administration and accounts payable management for franchises.

Yungas launches its investment strategy with Fin

With this first investment, Yungas expects to integrate Fin’s technology into its client portfolio, which is made up primarily of large franchise networks.

According to the company, if the solution is adopted across its entire client base, its revenue-generation potential could reach R$75 million annually (about US$13.8 million).

For Guilherme Reitz, Yungas CEO, the decision to launch the investment program with Fin addresses one of the main challenges currently facing the sector.

“Launching our investment strategy with Fin reflects our vision for the franchise market. Today, one of the biggest challenges for networks is managing franchisees’ financial health, especially in day-to-day operations,” the executive said.

Artificial intelligence aims to simplify financial management

The platform developed by Fin uses artificial intelligence to automatically centralize financial information from different sources, such as invoices sent by email, documents shared via WhatsApp, DDA bank records, and electronic invoices issued to tax authorities.

According to Reitz, this automation eliminates much of the manual work involved in managing accounts payable, reducing administrative complexity and giving franchises greater financial predictability.

AI also strengthens decision-making

Beyond organizing operational processes, Yungas believes artificial intelligence creates value by generating strategic information for businesses.

According to the CEO, these tools make it possible to identify priorities, generate insights, and improve the quality of decision-making, turning operational data into actions that support the efficiency and growth of networks.

“Scaling a network isn’t just about opening more units; it’s about ensuring that the franchisor can intelligently monitor operations, identify bottlenecks, support franchisees, and turn data into strategic decisions. As artificial intelligence advances within our platform, that impact becomes even more significant,” Reitz said.

Yungas aims to expand the reach of its investments

This year, the company plans to broaden its search for startups developing artificial intelligence-based solutions to address other operational challenges, not only in the franchise sector but also in businesses with in-house operations, distribution chains, resellers, and strategic partners.

Currently, around 90% of Yungas’s client portfolio consists of franchise networks. However, the company sees opportunities to expand into industrial structures and distribution networks, such as those used by companies in the cosmetics sector with their own channels.

For Reitz, continuing to invest in startups will make it possible to bring artificial intelligence to more companies and position Yungas as one of the companies leading the digital transformation of the franchise ecosystem.