Swiss elea Foundation backs Brazil's Leapy in its first deal in the country
What's the deal? Brazilian HRTech LeapyDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → has raised an undisclosed seed extension from Switzerland's elea Foundation for Ethics in GlobalizationDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, marking the philanthropic impact investor's first deal in Brazil. The amount adds to the US$3.07M seed round Leapy closed in the second half of 2025, led by venture firm AstellaDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →.
What does Leapy do? It connects vulnerable young people to formal corporate jobs, training them in digital skills and artificial intelligence to meet demand from large companies. Its clients include Nubank, iFood, ShopeeDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, VivoDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, VotorantimDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, and RD SaúdeDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →.
What's the money for? Leapy will upgrade its platform, expand its service team, strengthen operations with large accounts, and refine its go-to-market strategy.
Why now? The deal fits eleaDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →'s Employable Skills thesis, one of its four global fronts for reducing poverty. The foundation, based in Zurich, Johannesburg, and Mexico City, sees the investment as a starting point for more activity in Brazil.
By the numbers: An internal study of more than 130 participants between December 2024 and June 2025 found that joining the apprenticeship program raised family income by 33% on average — and by 129% for those hired permanently.
What they're saying: "Leapy shows what a good investment in Brazil looks like: it solves a real problem for employers and offers young people from under-represented groups a concrete path to formal work," said Tina Ruchti, executive director for elea in Latin America (translated from Portuguese).
The signal: A European impact fund planting its first Brazilian bet on a workforce-training startup points to growing international appetite for social-impact ventures in the country. elea says it also sees potential in agriculture, the bioeconomy, and local community projects — suggesting Leapy is a foothold, not a one-off.
Read more: startupi.com.br
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