In this episode, we sit down with Sergio Furio, founder and CEO of Creditas, to explore his remarkable journey from a small town in Spain to building one of Brazil’s leading fintech companies.
Sergio shares how his early career in banking and consulting shaped his entrepreneurial mindset and how moving to Brazil brought both challenges and opportunities in the fintech space. He takes us through the key moments that defined Creditas—from its early days as a marketplace to its transformation into a vertically integrated financial powerhouse.
We dive deep into the strategic decisions that fueled Creditas’ growth, including the shift from a marketplace model to direct lending, boosting margins, and achieving profitability. Sergio reveals how he tackled financial hurdles, optimized operations, adjusted pricing strategies, and built a sustainable, high-margin fintech leader.
Beyond Creditas, we discuss the broader startup ecosystems in Brazil, Spain, and Europe, the role of Endeavor in fostering entrepreneurship, and the personal resilience, health, and endurance required to sustain long-term success.
If you’re passionate about fintech, scaling a business, or the mindset needed for long-term entrepreneurship, this episode is a must-listen.
02:04 Introduction: Entrepreneurial mindset and constant execution
05:34 Decision to move to Brazil: financial struggles and low mobile penetration
08:05 Battling bureaucracy and inefficiency in Brazil
11:10 Education and Sergio Furio’s early career
14:20 Investment banking and strategic consulting experience
17:04 Importance of large markets for entrepreneurial success
20:29 Transition into the fintech sector in Brazil
23:20 Early struggles as a foreign entrepreneur in Brazil
26:51 Building the first team and securing initial funding
29:48 Solo founder mentality: advantages and challenges
32:49 Vertical expansion of Creditas: shifting the business model
35:37 The balance between strategy and execution
38:25 Adapting to the Brazilian market: understanding the local culture
41:54 The role of foreign entrepreneurs in Brazil
44:13 The evolution of Brazil’s startup ecosystem
47:04 Comparing startup ecosystems in Spain and Brazil
49:19 International expansion: challenges for Brazilian startups
52:19 The importance of physical presence in target markets
55:10 Fundraising: key round with SoftBank
58:54 Lessons on sustainable growth
01:02:51 The entrepreneur's energy as a key to success
01:06:04 Building from founder to CEO of a 400M revenue company
01:08:39 Personal transformation through entrepreneurship
01:11:24 Mental and physical health for entrepreneurs
01:13:59 Running marathons and the metaphor of endurance in business
01:16:34 Building networks and Endeavor’s mission in Brazil
01:19:09 Supporting new entrepreneurs and leadership’s ripple effect
01:21:44 Investing in the next generation: angel investing and strategic support
01:24:19 AI and technological trends: the future of startups
01:26:54 Comparing entrepreneurial ecosystems: Europe, Brazil, and the US
01:29:29 Final reflections on entrepreneurship, personal growth, and future goals