Argentine entrepreneurs are trying to change the import business: they have already raised 30 million dollars

Three Argentines saw the opportunity to take off thanks to the e-commerce boom seen since the 2020 pandemic. Elevva, a startup dedicated to the acquisition and growth of companies dedicated to the import and marketing of productswho already have a “brand” within the web business but find themselves with a ceiling due to logistical and financial problems.

One of its founders, Felix Elizalde, who developed his professional career in Mercado Libre before daring to start a business, explained: “The idea was born in 2020, but only at the beginning of 2021 did we meet with the two other founders (two former Banco Lazard) and we have become great friends and partners “.

Even in the midst of a decline in the amount of investment startups in the region manage to capture this year, entrepreneurs have shut down. managed to raise $ 30 million in an investment round. “Basically what we do at Elevva is acquire and partner with companies that they sell for e-commerce, who have developed their own brand in selling products online, but due to the context of the region are unable to reach their full potential, “Elizalde explained in a conversation with Clarione.

“What we do is buy these companies, inject them with capital to be able to bring a new assortment of products and develop new sales channels. We also inject the technology, which we develop internally, to be able to sell more efficiently and automatically “, He added. The model looks promising: in just under a year and based in Argentina, they have already added 60 collaborators in the region, especially in countries like Chile, Colombia and Mexico.

The companies that fall within Elevva’s target are those that import and then sell household products, decorations, tools and toys. “What we are looking for is to generate economies of scale between all countries, generate volume, be able to rationalize costs from an operational point of view, because a better purchase price can be negotiated for a product that will be sold both in Chile and Colombia. Or Mexico, “Elizalde explained.

Although Elevva’s business has had a regional vocation since its creation and that the founding members are Argentines, and already have 50 people working in the company from Argentina, due to local economic conditions, they have not yet begun to exploit the business at home. “In Argentina we are waiting for the perfect time to do it. There are opportunities, but we want to consolidate the business well before entering a market like this, which is more complex, “said Elizalde.