Ant International, a global digital payment and financial technology provider headquartered in Singapore, has announced a strategic investment in R2, an embedded lending infrastructure company in Latin America ( LatAm ), to expand access to credit for small and medium enterprises ( SMEs ) across the region.

Mexico City-based R2 enables digital platforms to offer financing solutions quickly and securely through an API-based, end-to-end structure. This allows merchants to easily access capital through their existing digital platforms, such as point-of-sale systems, payment processors, marketplaces, and e-commerce solutions. Ant International has complementary strengths in inclusive financing through its global credit services unit, which launched SME working capital solutions in Brazil earlier this year.

The investment includes a primary capital injection by Ant International, and combines both companies’ unique strengths to advance a shared vision of driving inclusive growth in LatAm through innovative, trusted digital technologies.

R2 will continue to deploy its infrastructure, risk and market-tailored credit offerings, and local regulatory expertise, while Ant International’s advanced risk capabilities will further enhance R2’s solutions through AI-powered tools and lower the cost of credit. R2’s management team will also continue to lead day-to-day operations, ensuring consistent support for the company’s existing customers and partners, and reaching out to more underserved SMEs in the region.

Founded in 2020, R2 operates in Mexico, Chile, Colombia, Peru, and Brazil. The company pioneers its innovative revenue-based financing model through major digital platform partners in the region such as inDrive, Uber Eats, Rappi, Haulmer, and PayU. The business has benefitted over 100,000 SMEs in Latin America, where it is estimated that only 13% of SMEs’ credit demand is currently met by banks and fintechs, leaving a gap of over US$1 trillion.

“R2 has been clear in its mission and drive to support SMEs – the backbone of LatAm’s economy – from day one, underpinned by its founders’ deep understanding of the difficulties faced by small businesses, and a strong belief in overcoming these challenges with a digital-first approach,” says Quan Yu, general manager of global credit services at Ant International. “With this shared commitment to inclusive growth, we are confident that we will be able to accelerate access to opportunities for businesses in the region by turning cutting-edge technologies into real, practical financing solutions.”