Brazil Data Insight (Year-End 2019)

Private capital investment in Brazil reached USD8.7b in 2019, the highest annual total on record

Following a strong fundraising year in 2018, capital deployed in Brazil-based companies reached USD8.7 billion in 2019. Total capital invested increased across all asset classes, reflecting rising investor confidence underpinned by low interest rates, pension reforms, an ambitious privatization agenda, and efforts by the current administration to work with private investors. Although large industrial and infrastructure deals, including Brookfield’s acquisition of data center operator Ascenty for USD1.8 billion, accounted for the bulk of investment, overall deal activity has also been bolstered by the rapid expansion of venture capital (VC) deals. VC investors participated in 133 deals in Brazil in 2019, including seven of the ten largest VC investments ever made in the country since EMPEA began tracking private capital activity in 2008.