

Gustavo Mapeli (Kanastra) on the $300B Market Built on Excel—And the Startup Replacing It
Apr 8, 2025
Gustavo Mapeli, co-founder and CEO of Kanastra, discusses transforming Brazil's capital markets through fintech. He dives into the $300 billion opportunity within a fractured market, highlighting the importance of building trust and a diverse product strategy. Gustavo shares insights on hiring for high-performance culture and the complexities of creating customizable financial solutions. He reflects on his 15-year partnership with his co-founder and the role of effective narratives in securing venture capital, all while navigating the rapid innovation landscape.
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Founding Kanastra from Frustration
- Gustavo Mapeli started as a traditional asset manager frustrated by outdated, manual processes.
- This pain led him and his co-founder to build the infrastructure platform Kanastra themselves.
Brazil's Unique $300B Opportunity
- Brazil's $300B private credit market offers unique fintech infrastructure opportunities.
- Strong regulation, retail investment shifts, and decentralized credit origination power this space.
Build Trust Through Reputation
- Build strong reputation by serving respected clients to get inbound referrals.
- Deliver consistent, high-quality service to maintain trust in fiduciary markets.