(Press Release) General Atlantic, a leading global growth equity firm, announced today that it has opened an office in Mexico City, its second office in Latin America. Under the leadership of General Atlantic’s dedicated Mexican-born investment team, the Mexico City office will work closely with the firm’s larger Latin American team, its Brazil office, and the entire General Atlantic global network.
“As growth equity investors, we are big believers that Mexico’s time is now and that the country is poised to become one of the biggest and most important economies in the world,” said William Ford, Chief Executive Officer of General Atlantic. “By deepening our presence in Mexico City, our Latin America team will be even closer to the companies, families, and entrepreneurs that will drive a powerful global growth story. I believe our unique partnership approach is well suited to the Mexican market and we look forward to partnering with Mexican entrepreneurs to fund and support their regional and global plans.”
General Atlantic’s local team in Mexico will be led by Luis Cervantes Legorreta, a Mexico City native who joined General Atlantic in 2013 and is focused on the firm’s Latin American investments. In regards to General Atlantic’s expansion to Mexico, Mr. Cervantes commented, “General Atlantic aims to invest behind families and entrepreneurs in proven businesses with high growth potential, where our capital, ideas, relationships, and experience can accelerate a company’s path to global scale. Powered by an expanding middle class and positive reforms, we see great opportunities in Mexico as the nation enters a new phase of economic growth.”
With approximately $17.4 billion in capital under management, General Atlantic invests in and provides strategic support for growth companies around the world. Working in close collaboration with its regional teams, the firm has dedicated and experienced teams focused on five industry sectors: Business Services, Financial Services, Healthcare, Internet & Technology, and Retail & Consumer. As thematic investors, General Atlantic looks to identify opportunities in markets and industries experiencing transformative changes, such as globalization, technological innovation, industry consolidation, regulatory changes, and demographic shifts, which lead to high growth potential.
General Atlantic typically acquires significant minority ownership stakes of $50 to $400 million per investment and works as a long-term partner with founding families, entrepreneurs, and company management. The firm made its first investment in Latin America in 2000 and since then has invested over $2 billion in 14 Latin American companies. Under the leadership of Martin Escobari, Managing Director and Head of Latin America, General Atlantic has recently made investments in Latin American companies including Sanfer, a leading Mexican pharmaceutical company, Ourofino, a leading Brazilian animal health company, and SAS Sistema de Ensino, a leading Brazilian learning systems provider.
The firm’s global portfolio also includes several companies that conduct significant business in Mexico, including Sura Asset Management, Santander Asset Management, online travel agency Despegar.com, and leading online fashion retailer Privalia.
In Mexico City, General Atlantic is also supported by a team of notable Special Advisors who have significant experience and knowledge of the Mexican market and who provide strategic counsel to the firm and its portfolio companies. Special Advisors in Mexico include: Enrique Castillo, former Chairman of Ixe Grupo Financiero and the former head of the Mexican Bankers Association; Luis Cervantes Sr., co-founder and Chairman of Finaccess Mexico and former Chief Executive Officer of Mutlivalores Grupo Financiero; and Javier Molinar, former Chief Executive Officer of Ixe Grupo Financiero.