Houlihan Lokey Appoints Rafael Pereira as a Senior Advisor

Rhea-AI Summary

Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (NYSE:HLI) appoints Rafael Pereira as Senior Advisor to aid in Brazil expansion. Pereira, with extensive tech experience, co-founded Brazil's leading FinTech, raising $1 billion. His collaboration with Houlihan Lokey's Technology and FinTech groups aims to support local companies in various growth stages.

Experienced Technology Leader and Entrepreneur to Assist Firm’s Technology Clients in Brazil

SÃO PAULO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (NYSE:HLI), the global investment bank, announced today that Rafael Pereira has been appointed as a Senior Advisor to assist the firm with its expansion in Brazil.

Mr. Pereira has more than two decades of experience as a tech entrepreneur and executive, building and growing technology-based businesses from spearheading startups to publicly listed companies.

Mr. Pereira co-founded Open Co, Brazil’s leading consumer financing FinTech that democratizes access to affordable credit products to families and small businesses across the country through cutting-edge technologies, raising more than $1 billion in equity and debt from multiple global investors. Prior to Open Co, he held several positions at Enova, KPMG, BRQ Digital Solutions, and IBM.

“The Brazilian technology sector is undergoing a multi-year structural transformation, driven by a new generation of entrepreneurs. The combination of Rafael’s knowledge, network, and creativity with our leading Technology and FinTech industry groups, with approximately 200 financial professionals combined, will be unique to support local companies in their various stages of growth,” says Bruno Baratta, Houlihan Lokey’s Head of Brazil. “We are delighted with his arrival and the prospect of deepening our relationship with clients in the space.”

“It is a great pleasure to join Houlihan Lokey and work together with its global Technology Group and its experienced local team to serve our Brazilian clients,” says Rafael Pereira. “Over the last few years, the Brazilian technology ecosystem has consolidated, creating countless opportunities for local and global companies and financial investors, and Houlihan Lokey is uniquely prepared to serve clients of the most diverse profiles in this environment.”

Beyond his corporate endeavors, Mr. Pereira has helped shape Brazil's technology and financial landscape, serving as a board member for Paraná Banco and as President of Brazil's FinTech association ABCD, where he championed regulatory reforms to promote financial inclusion and transformative initiatives like fast payment rails (PIX) and Open Finance. Mr. Pereira is also an early-stage investor in tech companies and venture funds.

Mr. Pereira earned an MBA from Columbia Business School and a degree in Engineering from PUC Rio de Janeiro. He also completed the OPM program at Harvard Business School.

About Houlihan Lokey

Houlihan Lokey (NYSE:HLI) is a global investment bank with expertise in mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, financial restructuring, and financial and valuation advisory. The firm serves corporations, institutions, and governments worldwide with offices in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific region. Independent advice and intellectual rigor are hallmarks of the firm’s commitment to client success across its advisory services. The firm is the No. 1 investment bank for all global M&A transactions, the No. 1 M&A advisor for the past nine consecutive years in the U.S., the No. 1 global restructuring advisor for the past ten consecutive years, and the No. 1 global M&A fairness opinion advisor over the past 25 years, all based on number of transactions and according to data provided by LSEG (formerly Refinitiv).

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240315992049/en/

Investor Relations

+1 212.331.8225

IR@HL.com

Media Relations

Tiago Lethbridge, Nova PR

+44 (0) 20 7747 1480

PR@HL.com

Source: Houlihan Lokey, Inc.

FAQ

Who has been appointed as a Senior Advisor by Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (NYSE:HLI) to assist in Brazil expansion?

Rafael Pereira has been appointed as a Senior Advisor by Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (NYSE:HLI) to assist in Brazil expansion.

What is Rafael Pereira's background in the tech industry?

Rafael Pereira has over two decades of experience as a tech entrepreneur and executive, building and growing technology-based businesses, from startups to publicly listed companies.

What is the name of the FinTech co-founded by Rafael Pereira?

Rafael Pereira co-founded Open Co, Brazil's leading consumer financing FinTech.

How much equity and debt has Open Co raised?

Open Co has raised more than $1 billion in equity and debt from multiple global investors.

What educational background does Rafael Pereira have?

Rafael Pereira earned an MBA from Columbia Business School and a degree in Engineering from PUC Rio de Janeiro, and completed the OPM program at Harvard Business School.