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Thiago Paiva
Cofounder & Head of Product at Welbe, creating products to radically change Mexican's health | Reforge Member
Professional Background
Thiago Paiva is a dynamic and passionate leader in the fintech and healthtech sectors with over a decade of extensive experience fostering innovation across Latin America. Since 2010, Thiago has been intricately involved in the startup ecosystem, showcasing his expertise by evaluating over 2,600 startups and directly investing in more than 60 of them. His efforts contributed to these startups raising over $250 million in total funding, an impressive feat that highlights his strategic insight and ability to identify high-impact business opportunities. Thiago's career includes significant roles at prominent organizations such as Wayra Brazil and Startupbootcamp Fintech in Mexico, where he has played crucial roles in nurturing and scaling startups.
Currently serving as Head of Product at Welbe, Thiago is dedicated to creating innovative digital solutions aimed at enhancing employee health. Welbe is an innovative insuretech/healthtech company that focuses on providing comprehensive primary care health plans while streamlining companies' occupational health processes through digitization. This role allows Thiago to combine his fintech background with his passion for improving health outcomes, making a meaningful difference in the lives of employees across various organizations.
Education and Achievements
Thiago Paiva possesses an impressive educational background that underpins his extensive industry expertise. He has earned a General Business Studies Certificate with a concentration in Finance from UCLA, which solidified his foundation in critical financial principles. Continuing his education in the field of venture capital, he completed the Venture Deals course at the prestigious Kauffman Fellow Academy.
A lifelong learner, Thiago has also participated in various specialized programs, including the Fintech Future Commerce Course at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the International Program for the Development of Entrepreneurs, Executives, and Shareholders at Babson College. With an MBA focusing on Innovation, Management, and Entrepreneurship from BI International, he has honed his business acumen further through the Innovation Program at the University of California, Berkeley.
Additionally, Thiago's educational journey began at Universidade Estadual de Campinas, where he pursued a degree in Control and Automation Engineering. This technical foundation complements his business skills, positioning him uniquely at the intersection of technology and business innovation.
Notable Positions and Contributions
Thiago's career trajectory showcases a breadth of experience across various roles in product management, startup acceleration, and business development. He previously excelled as a Product Manager at Oyster Financial, Inc., where he applied his fintech expertise to drive product strategy and innovation. His thought leadership also extended to writing as a contributor for TechCrunch, where he shared insights on industry trends and advancements.
In his capacity as Portfolio Development Director for the Scale Program at Startupbootcamp Fintech and Operations & Portfolio Director, Thiago played a vital role in shaping the success of the startup accelerator programs. His leadership helped many portfolio companies scale effectively and improve their ventures' sustainability and growth potential.
Thiago has also served in advisory roles for several startups, including QueroQuitar, where he provided strategic guidance to refine their value propositions. His commitment to fostering innovation is further evident through his mentorship at Nest Incubadora, where he has empowered emerging entrepreneurs.
His earlier experiences include business development at MeuResumo, co-founding Evolup, and even serving as an independent member of the ABRAII (Associação Brasileira de Empresas Aceleradoras de Inovação e Investimento), showcasing his dedication to the acceleration and investment of innovative companies from the ground up. Prior to establishing himself in the fintech and healthtech landscapes, he began his professional career with internships at major organizations such as Itaú BBA and Bosch, where he laid the groundwork for his future endeavors.
Achievements
- Contributed to raising over $250 million in funding for startups across Latin America.
- Evaluated over 2,600 startups, demonstrating his keen insight into the entrepreneur ecosystem.
- Played pivotal roles in various reputable organizations, both as an entrepreneur and corporate leader.
- Mentored numerous startup founders and teams, sharing his experience in product management and innovation development.
- Actively involved in education, holding teaching positions that shape the next generation of product managers.
- Recognized for his contributions to the fintech and healthtech sectors, playing leading roles that drive innovation in digital health solutions.

