WHO
WE ARE
We back outstanding founders from idea to traction.
We invest in angel and pre-seed rounds and help great founders build faster through practical support, AI and cloud credits, strategic partnerships, and a clear path to the next round.
WHO
WE ARE
HOW WE
CAN HELP
1616 is built for early-stage founders who want a real partner, not just a check.
1. AI & cloud credits.
Build faster with access to high-value AI, cloud, and software benefits. Through 1616’s partner network, founders can unlock up to $150k in Azure credits and join MS for Startups program, get Anthropic API credits and higher rate limits, and enjoy additional offers from platforms such as GitHub, Zendesk, DigitalOcean, Notion, and MongoDB.
2. Fundraising
We are not afraid to be your first commitment. Once we invest, we help founders shape the narrative, position the round, and connect with the right early-stage investors.
3. Refining your pitch
Come to us first. Test your pitch with us. We care way more about your team than we do about how pretty your deck is. We will help you refine your pitch.​
​
​​4. Ideation
​We want to meet great founders even before they have an idea. Chat with us to test different ideas.
​​
​​​5. Go-to-market
From ICP definition to messaging, outbound, founder-led sales, and early distribution, we help founders focus on the few things that matter most in the beginning.
​
6. HR
We help founders find great people early. Through our network, we can make targeted introductions to talented operators, builders, and potential early hires.
​
7. Founder 'therapy'
Being an entrepreneur is really hard. We know from first-hand experience. Sometimes you just need someone to talk to. Call us, maybe?
VERY TRANSPARENT
OUR INVESTMENT
PROCESS
Ideally we will meet founders while they are speaking with angels or as they are preparing to raise a pre-seed round. If we invest, we will help set you up for fundraising.
1
We will go over your pitch deck and/or any other materials you send us. We understand the deck will likely be a work in progress - we are focused on your team and idea.
2
If we do not want to move forward, we will let you know.
3
If we do want to move forward, we will reach out to schedule a call. Most of this call will be to ask you specific questions.
4
If we are inclined to invest, we will run a quick diligence process. This may include another call or sending you further questions.
5
If we want to invest in you, we will let you know how much and under what general terms. We will then work with you to put together your round.
Alex is a seasoned global investor with over a decade of experience investing in and backing startups accross the world. He started his career at Goldman Sachs, later serving as the Head of J. Mendes Investment Office in New York, building a strong network of top-tier American VCs and investing in several U.S.-based VC funds and startups. In 2022, Alex founded 1616 Ventures, investing in and advising early-stage, highly scalable tech startups. Alex holds a BS in Industrial Engineering from UFMG, a Master’s in Finance from HEC Paris, an MBA from The Wharton School, and a Master’s in International Studies from the Lauder Institute at the University of Pennsylvania. He is currently expanding his expertise through a Executive Master’s in AI for Business at the University of Oxford.
Jay Lanners
Partner - São Paulo
Stephanie is an investor and operator with a decade of experience across equity research, private equity, venture capital and startups. She has supported AI, fintech, healthcare, and tech startups across the U.S. and Latin America through investment, fundraising, and strategic advisory. Steph is also a co-founder of Libra Leaders, a platform of investors, angels, and operators working to tip the scales of capital toward women. Stephanie holds a BSBA in Finance & BA in Public Policy from UNC-Chapel Hill, and an MBA from The Wharton School & MA in International Studies from the Lauder Institute, University of Pennsylvania.
Mendy is an operator-turned-investor with entrepreneurial experience and expertise in marketing and operations. Mendy has held positions across a number of industries in companies such as AMBEV, BRG Capital, and Bausch Health Companies (formerly Probiotica - Valeant Pharmaceuticals). He later transitioned into tech, working in Sales & Marketing at Wellhub (formerly Gympass) and Product and Partner Marketing at DocuSign. He then became COO at Ânimo, a venture-backed wellness startup, before joining Alex to start 1616 Ventures in 2022. A Fundação Estudar scholarship recipient, Pedro holds a BA in Economics and International Studies from Yale University and an MBA from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business.
THE
TEAM
Alex Nogueira
Partner
Stephanie Michael Silva
Investor
Pedro (Mendy) Mendonça
Venture Scout
PORTFOLIO
We focus on B2B businesses but, most importantly, we invest in the best entrepreneurs and we will consider any tech startup that can scale quickly in an enormous market.
OYA CARE
femtech
FLOKI
b2b saas
GENIAL CARE
healthtech
Acquired by Praso
KURI SAÚDE
healthtech
COMP
HR tech
ASSIS
fintech
Exited
COVALENTY
b2b marketplace
NEOFIN
fintech
IGLU
b2b saas
IGUAL
legaltech
NUVIA
_edited_edited.png)
b2b saas
PROSIEVE
hr tech
CAFFEINE
b2b saas
ELECTD
govtech
ATTUNE
healthtech
FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS
What are the basic requirements to qualify for investment from 1616 (Sixteen Sixteen Ventures)?
-
Angel, Pre-seed or Seed round
-
Tech DNA
-
Clear solutions for real problems
What else do you look for in an investment?
Talented entrepreneurs who are also really good people, an enormous market, and a highly-scalable model. We are especially interested in founders who have been founders before, even if they “failed.”
​
We invest in companies that we believe can be HUGE. We may pass on an excellent company if we do not think it can grow fast enough or attract many future rounds of capital.
Do you focus on specific sectors or business models?
We have a strong bias toward B2B businesses. We are open to consider a potential investment in any extraordinary team building a highly-scalable tech company in a huge market.
Do you lead rounds?
We can, but we do not expect to.
​
Do you do follow-ons?
Yes, including but not limited to seed and series A rounds.
​​