Prisma Medios de Pago Unexpectedly Becomes Argentina’s Newest Unicorn

Contxto – Last Tuesday, Argentina welcomed its newest unicorn after Advent International announced that they will be acquiring Prisma Medios de Pago.

It all started two years ago when Argentina’s National Commission
for the Defense of Competition requested the divestment of the
company based on “abuse of dominant position“.

As a result, Argentina’s Secretary of Economic Policy, Miguel Braun, announced via Twitter on January 22 that 51 percent of Prisma’s equity is up for sale. This will be valued at approximately US$ 700 million. Enter Advent.

“We look forward to working with the management team and other shareholders to accelerate the company’s development by investing in next-generation products and services and exploring international expansion opportunities.” –

Juan Pablo Zucchini, Managing Partner at Advent International Sao Paulo

Prisma is Argentina’s leading payment company and one of Latin America’s largest.

The fintech company has developed, improved and innovated many businesses due to their software. Primarily, they facilitate online transactions, payments, transfers, online shopping, points of sale, billing and money management, not to mention their numerous ATMs located across the country.

Prisma’s main tech branches:

• Points of sell rental (LaPOS).
• E-Commerce gateway (Decidir).
• ATM network (BANELCO).
• Bill payments administrator (Pagomiscuentas).
• E-wallet, P2P, mPOS and QR payments (TodoPago).

Previously, Prisma Medios de Pago operated exclusively through VISA. This changed last year when they gave their main competitor, FirstData, access to their license. Now, they have a MasterCard license as well.

With this acquisition, Advent International intends to accelerate the development and deployment of the fintech company’s new products. International expansion is another goal for the company.

Founded in 1984, Advent International is dedicated to investing in diverse sectors. These include financial services, healthcare, industrial, retail, technology, media and telecom.

The private equity firm – whose intention is to acquire, restructure and grow companies for a capital gain based on their exit value –  has been very active in Latin America for the last 22 years.

Of its US$39 billion worth of assets under management, it has already invested over US$6.7 billion in many Spanish-speaking countries, including Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, Peru and Brazil.