Healthcare in Brazil faces many challenges, including fragmentation of providers and data, uneven distribution of the health workforce across the country, imbalances between private and public systems, and deficiencies in infrastructure – especially in rural areas. The result is that many patients lack access to quality care or face significant delays in receiving treatment. But these challenges also present opportunities for innovation, as companies are building new technologies and models dedicated to improving healthcare for underserved populations.
DNA Capital is working to support such innovative early-stage companies with the capital and resources they need to develop and grow. As a dedicated healthcare investor in Brazil, DNA Capital has recently launched its second venture fund, DNA VC II. The fund is anchored by development finance institutions BNDES (Brazilian Development Bank) and Desenvolve SP (Sao Paulo Development Agency), as well as other private investors. DNA plans to invest in 7-9 companies with the new fund, targeting healthtech and scalable services that expand access and improve the quality of care in Brazil.
At DNA Capital, we believe that with purpose, innovation, and capital, Brazilian healthcare companies can drive real-world impact for the country and beyond.
DNA Capital is building on the success of its first venture fund (DNA VC I), started in 2018. The VC I fund invested R$ 280M in 6 companies, which are already reaching more than 30 million patients per year. The portfolio includes companies that have become benchmarks in their segments, including Beep Saude—Brazil’s largest home health platform, and Memed—the country’s leading digital prescription platform.
DNA VC II will follow a similar approach as the VC I fund: a concentrated portfolio, rigorous selection of businesses with proven models and clear paths to scale, and deep involvement in portfolio company management. The new fund has already invested in two high-potential companies: NefroClínicas, the fastest-growing dialysis provider in Brazil, and Piwi, a health insurance brokerage focused on smaller businesses.
J&J Impact Ventures, an investment fund in Johnson & Johnson Foundation, has participated in the first close of DNA VC II. “We are pleased to invest in DNA Capital’s new fund and look forward to partnering with the team to scale purpose-driven healthcare companies that are transforming access to care in Brazil,” said Caitlin Bristol, Investment Director at J&J Impact Ventures.
This is the first fund investment for J&J Impact Ventures in Latin America and expands the regional portfolio alongside direct investments in Phelcom and Mamotest.
