Phillip Trauer

Managing Director

2024

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.

Investment Banking Summer Associate (RE/Hospitality Group)

2016 - 2016

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